At ski resorts in the Philadelphia area, winter is prime time for family fun. But you don’t have to strap on skis or even brave the cold to have a great time on the mountain. Snow tubing is an awesome choice for families who want an alternative to skiing and snowboarding, and many resorts offer indoor fun as well. Read on for some great destinations for tubing and more, whether you’re planning for a day trip or a complete winter getaway.
NOTE: The pandemic has changed the way that many of the mountains are handling capacity, lift tickets and amenities. Many require advance reservations and have limited lodge access so be sure to check with each destination before you go.
Check out our full list of family ski and tubing destinations.
Blue Mountain If you choose Blue Mountain, conveniently located in Palmerton, PA for your tubing adventure, you have the option of up to 34 lanes, each 1,000 feet long and three lifts to get you to the top of the hill. There are no age or weight restrictions but riders need to be 36” and taller Sessions are 3 hours each and it is recommended you arrive about 30 minutes beforehand. They offer double tubes so a child can ride in front of you. Check Web Site for Pricing and Hours of Operations.
Bear Creek Bear Creek is a family-friendly ski resort and they extended the runs on their 10 lane snow tube park this season for an even more fun mountain experience. Riders must be at least 6 years of age and 42” tall. They offer evening sessions during the week as well as early bird and evening sessions on the weekends if that fits better with your schedule and also may be less crowded. Sessions are two hours long and tickets must be purchased in advance. Check Web Site for Pricing and Hours of Operations.
Camelback Mountain Camelback Mountain is one of the top family-friendly ski resorts in PA, but skiing is just the beginning of what they have to offer! In addition to 39 trails and 15 acres of new beginner terrain, there are two terrain parks for snowboarding and freestyle skiing, one of which is specifically designed for beginners to learn safely. Camelback also boasts the largest snow tubing park in the USA with 42 lightening fast lanes. When you’re ready to head indoors, escape the cold to Aquatopia, a massive indoor waterpark with 7 pools, a lazy river, water slides, an indoor surfing experience and more. Camelback Lodge is also on site, where you’ll find a spa, shopping and lots of dining options. Check Web Site for Pricing and Hours of Operations.
Liberty Mountain Liberty Mountain Resort, located in southern Pennsylvania, offers skiing and snowboarding for all abilities. But if it’s snow tubing you seek, check out their Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing Park to find fun for all ages, no experience required! Boulder Ridge offers tubing runs for older kids and adults, as well as Pebble Ridge Kiddie Tubing that’s especially for toddlers age 2 to 4. Boulder Ridge even has its own lodge where you can warm up with food and drinks, an arcade and a wrap-around deck for watching the action. Liberty Mountain is also home to an ice skating pond, as well as Playcare, a full service daycare for kids from 6 months to 10 years old. (You can find more on mountains that offer childcare in our guide here.) Check Web Site for Pricing and Hours of Operations.
Montage Mountain Located just 2 hours from the Philadelphia area, Montage Mountain boasts 26 trails ranging from beginner to expert covering 140 skiable acres. For tubing adventures, head to the Montage Mountain Snow Tubing Park, which offers three-hour sessions seven days of the week. For those not quite big enough for the main tubing area, Mini Tubing runs are available with single and double tubes. And, thanks to the Magic Carpet Conveyer Lift, you’ll ride easily back to the top to start the fun again. No matter how you spend your time on the mountain, the Slocum Hollow Bar and Restaurant offers lots of delicious ways to warm up. Check Web Site for Pricing and Hours of Operations.
Shawnee Mountain Shawnee Mountain, about two hours north of Philadelphia, is a great option for family-friendly skiing and snow tubing in the Pocono Mountains. Shawnee offers 23 trails and slopes, 2 terrain parks and their Pocono Plunge Snow Tubing Park. The snow tubing park features single tubes as well as adult and child tandem tubes with two conveyor lifts to whisk you to the top. Spend less time climbing up and more time flying down! After your tubing or skiing adventures, Shawnee also offers several dining options to help you refuel. Check Web Site for Pricing and Hours of Operations.
If skiing is in your plans too and you want some more family-friendly options, this guide is a great place to start.
Have some little family members who aren’t quite ready to take on tubing and trails? Take a look at our list of mountains that offer childcare.
Updated from original post from Jan 24, 2020.