Remember sledding as a kid? That raw, simple joy of flying down a hill. Now, imagine that feeling amplified by a thousand colorful lights, with the cold night air on your face and the sound of laughter echoing around you. That's glow tubing. It's not a futuristic gimmick; it's a brilliantly simple twist on a classic winter pastime that has exploded in popularity. I've been chasing winter adventures for over a decade, from backcountry skiing to ice climbing, and I'll admit, I was skeptical at first. But after dragging my family to a glow tubing park last season, I became a convert. It's pure, unadulterated fun, and it solves the classic winter problem: what do you do after the sun sets at 4:30 PM?
What's Inside This Guide
What Exactly Is Glow Tubing? More Than Just Lights
At its core, glow tubing is snow tubing that happens after dark on a course illuminated by LED lights. But that description sells it short. We're not talking about a few floodlights. The best operations use miles of color-changing LED strips lining the lanes, often synchronized to music. The tubes themselves might have LED rims. The effect is like sledding through a neon dream or a living lava lamp.
The history is murky, but it likely grew out of the "night skiing" infrastructure at resorts. They had the hills, the snowmaking, and the lifts. Adding tubing was a natural extension, and lighting it up was the marketing masterstroke. The physics are the same as daytime tubing—gravity does the work—but the psychology is completely different. The darkness hides the bottom of the hill, which somehow makes the ride feel faster and more thrilling. The colored lights create a party atmosphere that daytime just can't match.
A quick note on terminology: You might see it called "night tubing," "glow tubing," or "lighted tubing." They're essentially the same thing. "Glow tubing" tends to imply a more intense, colorful light show, while "night tubing" might just mean the hill is open after dark with standard lighting.
Where to Go: Top Glow Tubing Destinations in the US
Not every tubing hill offers a glow experience. It requires a significant investment in lighting and evening staffing. Here are a few standout locations that have perfected the craft. I'm focusing on the specifics—the stuff you need to actually plan a trip.
| Destination & Location | The Vibe & Key Features | Need-to-Know Details |
|---|---|---|
| Woodward Park City, Utah (Outside Park City) |
Next-level production. This isn't just a hill; it's a multimedia experience with immersive lighting and sound. The lanes are long and fast, and the surrounding mountain views are stunning. Feels more like a theme park attraction. | Session: 2-hour blocks. Cost: ~$39 per person. Best for: Teens, adults, and anyone who wants the "premium" glow tubing experience. Requires advanced online booking, especially around holidays. They often have combo deals with their indoor action sports halls. |
| Frisco Adventure Park, Colorado (Summit County) |
A community-focused, family-friendly spot with a gorgeous backdrop of the Tenmile Range. The glow setup is vibrant but not overwhelming. They have a separate, gentler lane for young kids, which is a huge plus. | Session: 1-hour or 2-hour slots. Cost: ~$30-$35 per person. Best for: Families with mixed-age kids. They also offer a "walk-up" tube park if the glow sessions are sold out. Check their website for specific glow nights, as it's not always nightly. |
| Mt. Hood SkiBowl, Oregon (Government Camp) |
Claims to have the largest night tubing park in the U.S. Massive scale means more lanes and less waiting. The lights are classic and bright, with a fun, energetic Pacific Northwest crowd. The drive-up view of the lit-up lanes on the mountain is iconic. | Session: 2-hour sessions. Cost: ~$32-$38. Best for: Groups and those who hate long lift lines. The altitude is lower than other Rockies destinations, which can mean slightly warmer (or wetter) conditions—check the snow report. |
| Big Snow Resort, Michigan (Indianhead Mountain) |
A Midwest gem. They call it "Lighted Tubing" and it's a massive, well-organized operation. Multiple chutes with varying steepness, all serviced by a magic carpet lift. The vibe is pure, joyful Midwestern winter fun. | Session: 2-hour sessions Friday-Sunday. Cost: ~$25 per person. Best for: Midwest families and groups looking for a reliable, well-run experience. Often less crowded than the Colorado hotspots, but just as festive. |
My personal take? Woodward Park City is the spectacle, but Frisco Adventure Park is where I'd take my own family again. The balance of fun and manageability was just right.
How to Prepare for Your Glow Tubing Adventure
This is where most first-timers mess up. They think, "It's just sledding," and show up in jeans and a sweatshirt. You will be miserable. This is a cold-weather sport.
The Non-Negotiable Clothing List
Waterproof is the keyword. Snow pants are essential. Not water-resistant joggers, actual snow pants. You will be sitting on snow and possibly getting sprayed. A waterproof ski jacket is ideal. If you don't own these, many resorts rent snowsuits, but call ahead.
Layers underneath: A moisture-wicking base layer (think synthetic or wool, not cotton), followed by a fleece or insulated mid-layer. Cotton sweatshirts absorb sweat and then make you cold.
The Extremities Battle:
- Gloves: Insulated, waterproof gloves or mittens. Cheap knit gloves will be soaked and frozen in 10 minutes.
- Footwear: Insulated, waterproof winter boots. Hiking boots often aren't enough. Thick wool socks are a must.
- Head: A warm beanie that covers your ears. A neck gaiter or balaclava is a game-changer for protecting your face from the wind during the ride down.
Pro Move: Throw a couple of disposable hand warmer packets into your gloves and toe warmers into your boots about 30 minutes before you start. This is the single best comfort upgrade you can make for a few dollars.
What to Bring (And What to Leave)
Bring: A small backpack with water (hydration is key, even in the cold), those hand warmers, and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate for the ride home. Your phone for photos, but keep it in a zipped pocket. A credit card/cash for the inevitable post-tubing snack.
Leave: Your pride. Also, avoid bulky scarves that can get caught (use a gaiter), and don't wear any loose jewelry. Most parks prohibit carrying anything in your hands or on your lap while tubing for safety reasons.
Pro Tips for a Better (and Warmer) Experience
Beyond dressing right, here are some insights from multiple seasons of watching what works and what doesn't.
Timing is Everything: Book the first evening session if you can. The snow is often fresher and faster. The last session can be slower as the lanes get chewed up. Weekdays are obviously less crowded than weekends.
The Link-Up Strategy: Most parks allow you to link tubes together by holding each other's handles. This creates a longer, slower, and often more hilarious ride. It's perfect for families with younger kids who might be nervous alone. Just make sure everyone agrees to let go at the bottom to avoid a tangled pile-up.
Photography in the Glow: Phone cameras struggle with the low light and moving subjects. For decent photos, turn on your phone's "Night Mode" and try to take shots from the side of the hill, not the dark bottom. Or, just put the phone away and enjoy the moment. The mental snapshot is often better.
The One Mistake I See Constantly: People spend the entire two-hour session going up and down as fast as possible. They're exhausted and sweaty halfway through. Pace yourself. Take a break after a few runs. Soak in the atmosphere, get that hot chocolate, watch others. It's not a race.
Safety First, Always
This is fun, but it's not without risk. You're sliding down an icy hill on an inflatable with limited steering.
Listen to the Attendants. They will give a safety speech. Heed it. The rules about sitting a certain way, when to get off your tube, and which lanes to use exist because people have gotten hurt.
Common rules: Feet first, always. One person per tube unless it's a designated double tube. Don't go down headfirst or attempt to stand up. Clear the bottom area immediately. If you fall off, roll away from the lane quickly.
The biggest danger zone isn't the ride down—it's the off-ramp at the bottom. This is where tubes and people converge. Be hyper-aware here. Look uphill before you stand up.
Your Glow Tubing Questions, Answered
Glow tubing is winter's best-kept not-so-secret anymore. It takes the simplicity of childhood joy and wraps it in a package that's exciting for everyone. It gets you outside on those long winter nights. Just dress properly, pick a good spot, and let gravity and neon lights do the rest. You might just find it becomes your family's new favorite winter tradition.