Try Cascade Mountain for a thrilling snow tubing experience. Photo courtesy of Cascade Mountain

1. Cascade Mountain — Portage, Wis.

Why Families Love It: Cascade Mountain has major snowmaking capabilities. This high-tech operation offers 900-foot chutes and 90-foot drops. There is also a surface lift to take you and your tube to the top of the hill. The chalet snack bar offers drinks, sandwiches, and a cozy place to warm up. Kids and adults will enjoy this thrill ride.

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: If you have a kid who's nervous about tubing on their own, you can link your tube to your child's tube. There's no walking back up the hill with the magic carpet system!

Parking, Food & Tickets: Free parking is available on site. You can eat at several establishments on Cascade Mountain, including the Peak Lodge, the coffee shop, and The Cookout. Rent a day cabin to have a home base for your crew, and have food delivered so you don't have to haul your gear around. Tickets or reservations are required in advance for tubing.

2. Blackwell Forest Preserve Mount Hoy — Warrenville 

Why Families Love It: The Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville sports more than 1,300 acres of natural beauty and is one of the most spectacular spots for winter activities near Chicago. Once there’s enough snow on the ground (usually at least 3 inches), Mount Hoy opens for an 800-foot slide down the hill. Inner tube rentals are at the base of the hill and are $10 per tube per day; only these tubes are allowed on the hill. The hill is open on weekends and school holidays through the end of February from 10am to 4pm (last tube rental is at 3:30pm).

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: This is probably the cheapest and closest to the city place to go tubing with kids, but it doesn't have the amenities of a ski lodge. There's plenty of winter outdoor fun to be head throughout the preserve once you're done tubing! Try ice fishing, bring your own sled to sled other hills in the preserve, or cross country ski!

Parking, Food & Tickets: Text TUBING to 866-743-7332 to find out if the hill is open for the day. No tickets needed, but tubes are first come, first served. Free on-site parking is available-- look for the west side shelter for the closest parking. There's no food for sale here, but you can bring your own and eat in your car or outside

Villa Olivia offers outdoor fun for the entire family. Photo courtesy of Villa Olivia

3. Villa Olivia — Bartlett

Why Families Love It:  Boy, oh boy is the snow tubing at Villa Olivia popular. Reservations are available online, and we strongly suggest you make them. Tickets are good for two hours of all-you-can-tube time for kids 6 and older (and over 42 inches). Fees include tube rental and rides up the magic carpet to the top of the hill. Everyone hitting the hills must sign a waiver that can be accessed and signed at home. Day tubing is available on weekends and holidays from 9am to 5pm, and evening tubing takes place Thursday through Sunday and holidays from 5 to 9:30pm.

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: You can no longer share a tube with your child because of a change in the tube manufacturer's guidelines, so this hill is best for less hesitant children over 42 inches tall.  Reservations do sometimes fill up for the day, so make sure you plan ahead!

Parking, Food & Tickets: Free parking is available on site. Visit the Ski Cafe for something to eat. Tickets are available online.

RELATED: Chicago Winter Fun Guide

 
Wilmot Mountain offers snow tubing less than 90 minutes from Chicago. Photo courtesy of Wilmot Mountain

4. Wilmot Mountain Bubly Tubing Park— Wilmot, Wisconsin

Why Families Love It:  Halfway between Chicago and Milwaukee, this mountain features a large tubing area with 22 lanes and two surface conveyors. About a half-mile from the main ski lodge, the tube runs have a separate snack lodge and deck for taking a break. Rentals are available weekdays from 4 to 9pm and holidays and weekends from 9am to 9pm. Kids must be 42 inches tall to go tubing.  All participants must book reservations in advance and sign a waiver, which can be done when purchasing tickets online.

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: This is one of the only places that will let you link four tubes together! Wear a hat and goggles or sunglasses to protect your eyes and ears, especially on the long 1,000 foot runs. 

Parking, Food & Tickets: Free parking is available on site. There's tons of places to eat here, from a concession stand at the bottom of the tubing hill to the Ski Hill Grill, Walt's Tavern, or the Lodge Bar. Peruse available tickets online, especially if you're considering more than one sport during the day.

RELATED: The Best Sledding Hills In and Around Chicago

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Snow tubing at Sunburst is worth the two-hour drive. Photo courtesy of Sunburst Winter Sports Park, Facebook

5. Sunburst Winter Sports Park — Kewaskum, Wisconsin

Why Families Love It: Yes, we just called Wilmot’s 22 lanes big, which makes Sunburst Winter Sports Park, with its 45 tubing chutes, massive. In fact, it claims to be the largest snow tubing park in the world. The chutes have a 90-foot drop in elevation, and Sunburst says riders can reach speeds of 30 mph. The rules here are simple: Tickets are required for everyone for two-hour sessions on weekends and holidays, and from 4 to 8pm Tuesdays through Thursdays. Kids must be 42 inches tall and tickets are only available for purchase onsite; everyone must sign a waiver upon arrival.

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: Plan ahead to save a few bucks-- It's usually $30 for a two-hour session in the days leading up to it, or $35 day of. Or get a group of 15 or more people together for a group rate of $25 per person. It's perfect for scout troops!

Parking, Food & Tickets: Free parking is available on site. Conecession counters serve American food like hamburgers and hot dogs. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the tubing hill  on the day of your visit. 

RELATED: Best Ski Spots Near Chicago for Families and Kids

Thrill to night tubing under the brightly colored snow lights at Snowstar Winter Sports Park. Photo courtesy of Snowstar Winter Sports Park

6. Snowstar Winter Sports Park — Andalusia

Why Families Love It: While this spot is more of a trek from Chicago, if you need a winter weekend getaway with short lift lines, a family atmosphere, and required reservations, this a good spot for young kids. Or if some in the family want to ski and others want to tube. Also, this is the only place on our list that allows kids 3 and older to participate (riders must be able to safely hold onto a tube and ride alone). You'll get two hours to use a tube and ride up the hill on the magic carpet lift. Everyone must sign a waiver to hit the hill. 

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: There's warming huts near the tubing hill for little ones who get cold toes! You can also buy a s'mores pack to make toasted marshmallow treats at the Lodge or the Snack Shack. Buying tickets online in advance is encouraged.

Parking, Food & Tickets: Free parking is available on site. There's several places to eat, including the ski lodge and the snack shack at the bottom of the tubing hill, but you cannot bring in your own food. 

7. Timber Ridge Ski Area -- Gobles, MI

Why Families Love It:  This is a smaller, family-owned ski zone 2.5 hours from Chicago. It has nine tubing lanes and a new moving sidewalk lift! You can create a party tube train by linking up your tubes. Make a reservation ahead of time online. This is a little less expensive than several on our list at just $25 in advance or $28 on the day of tubing.

Insider Tips for Visiting with Kids: There's a bathroom right a the bottom of the tubing hill. The hill is also adjacent to the easier ski hills in case kids want to check out the next logical step!

Parking, Food & Tickets: Free parking is available on site. There's a restaurant on site in the lodge. Buy tickets online in advance or at the ski area when you arrive.

Which Snow Tubing Spots Near Chicago Are Best for Different Ages?

 Best Snow Tubing Hills for Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 3–5)

With gentle slopes, mini tubing areas, and play zones, these are our favorites for the youngest snow birds: 

• Blackwell Forest Preserve
• Snowstar Winter Sports Park

 Best Snow Tubing Hills for School-Age Kids (Ages 6–12)

Moderate hills, conveyor lifts, family-friendly policies, and accessible food and bathrooms make these good options for elementary kids:

• Timber Ridge Ski Area
• Villa Olivia
• Wilmot Mountain

Best Snow Tubing Hills for Teens and Adventurous Families

Fast runs, night tubing, group deals, music/lights events and more make these great for thrillseekers:

• Cascade Mountain

• Sunburst Winter Sports Park

​Pro Parent Tips for a Stress-Free Snow Tubing Day​

• Find waterproof clothing. Few things cause as much whining as a cold, wet kid. They won't last long if they're freezing, so wear layers and look for waterproof pants, coats, gloves, and more. You might also want to consider hats and goggles or sunglasses to keep snow out of their hair and faces. 
• Pack snacks, if the venue allows, and an extra set of warm, dry clothes to wear on the way home. Kids will be tired and will want to be comfortable in the car, especially on longer trips. We sometimes pack pajamas if we're going in the evening to avoid another costume change.
• Go early in the day, when the sun is out, temperatures aren't too cold, crowds are lower, and kids have more energy.
• Avoid peak pricing by booking tickets ahead of time, selecting off peak times, and looking for coupons or group deals

FAQ's for Snow Tubing Near Chicago with Families

Q: What’s the best snow tubing hill near Chicago for young kids?

Almost all hills have a 42" height limit. Some also have age limits. We recommend going to Blackwell Forest Preserve for the first time because it's only $10 and a limited distance from home, so if they don't like it, you're not out a whole day and $100 or more.

Q: Are there snow tubing hills that allow toddlers or babies?

No. If you have a larger toddler, look for a place that allows kids to ride with parents or link their tubes. 

Q: Do you need to bring your own snow tube?

No. Each of these places will only allow you to use their tubes.

Q: How much does snow tubing cost near Chicago?

It varies from $10 to about $40 in most cases. Peak hours or holidays may impact priving
Q: Do I need to reserve snow tubing tickets in advance?

Most venues recommend advance reservations. If you're going to a ski hill, but only tubing, there may be walk-up tickets available.  Often, you will save $5-$10 by booking in advance.

Q: What should families wear for snow tubing?

Try to wear layers, with at least the outer layer being waterproof. Find ski socks, snow pants, multiple layers of warm athletic shirts, a waterproof coat, hat, waterproof gloves, goggles or sunglasses, and sturdy waterproof boots.

Q: Are food and bathrooms available at most snow tubing hills?

Yes. Be sure you are checking it with younger kids so that you know far in advance if they need to go potty. In addition to walking to the bathroom, it will take a while to get out of all of the snow gear. Most places also have concession stands or restaurants. A few do not allow outside food, so plan the meal as part of your expense for the day if you're visiting one of those locaitons.

Q9: Are helmets required or recommended for kids?

Most places recommend but do not require helmets. It's a good idea for especially smaller kids to wear them, and you may be able to rent them, especially from places that also offer skiing.

Q10: Can we combine snow tubing with skiing or other winter activities?

All of the venues we have listed have some other winter sport in the same location. Look for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, hiking and more while you're out on the slopes.