Central Oregon is known as a downhill skiing destination, but you don’t need a set of expensive skis or a snowboard to feel the pull of gravity. The region also has ample opportunities for sledding or inner tubing when you just want to play in the snow. From lift-powered tubing hills at area ski resorts to the DIY experience of sno-parks, here’s our list of the best places to sled and tube in Central Oregon.
Snowblast Tubing Park
Where: Mt. Bachelor, Bend
When: Open Friday-Sunday, Holidays (check online first)
Fee: $20-$45
What you need: Snow pants, snow jacket, snow boots, gloves, hat, goggles or sunglasses. Mt. Bachelor provides the inner tubes.
The Snowblast Tubing Park at Mt. Bachelor features an 800-foot tubing hill. There are eight lanes of groomed rollers so you and your family can challenge each other to races. One of the best parts of tubing at a ski resort is the rope that pulls you and your tube back up the hill. On busy weekends and holidays, the sessions will sell out, so you want to get to Mt. Bachelor early to reserve your spot.
Autobahn Tubing
Where: Hoodoo Ski Area, Sisters
When: Open Friday-Sunday
Fee: $17-$30
What you need: Snow pants, snow jacket, snow boots, gloves, hat, goggles or sunglasses. Hoodoo provides the inner tubes.
For the adventurous, Autobahn Tubing at Hoodoo Ski Area also has an 800-foot tubing hill for some extreme inner tubing. You can walk back up the hill, or have the rope pull you and your tube back up after each run. For a smaller hill, there’s also the Snow Bunny Sled Hill near the Easy Rider lift. Tubing is free at the Snow Bunny hill for Hoodoo season pass holders, or only $5 for the whole day for others. You can use your own sled or tube, but Hoodoo also has rental tubes.
Diamond Lake
Where: Diamond Lake Resort, Diamond Lake
When: Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday. Open during the week without conveyor belt.
Fee: $15-$30. $5 entry and tube fee. Free for children 3-5 years old with purchase of adult ticket.
What you need: Snow pants, snow jacket, snow boots, gloves, hat, goggles or sunglasses. Diamond Lake provides the inner tubes.
In 2017, Diamond Lake added a conveyor belt to pull tubers uphill, more lanes for tubing and faster inner tubes. One of the best parts of tubing at Diamond Lake is the evening Cosmic Tubing, which takes place under the lights on Friday nights. As a bonus, Diamond Lake also provides hot chocolate and s’mores for a warm treat.
Wanoga Sno-Park
Where: Wanoga Sno-Park, Bend
When: Open every day
Fee: Free. Oregon Sno Park Permit required.
What you need: Snow pants, snow jacket, snow boots, gloves, hat, goggles or sunglasses. Inner tube or sled.
If you have an inner tube or sled, check out Wanoga Sno-Park. The park also has a warming hut for a break in between runs. It’s also located in a dog-friendly area of the National Forest, making it fun for the whole family, including Fido. There are lots of other activities to do in the park, like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or snowmobiling.
Santiam Sno-Park
Where: Santiam Sno-Park
When: Open every day
Fee: Free. Snow Park Permit required.
What you need: Snow pants, snow jacket, snow boots, gloves, hat, goggles or sunglasses. Inner tube or sled.
At Santiam Sno-Park, the sledding hill is generally free of trees or other obstacles, but snow conditions can vary and can get especially slick, which means faster tubing and less control. This park is the only tubing or sledding hill recommended by the National Forest Service in the Santiam National Forest. There are restrooms on site, but no warming huts.
