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Snow tubing is wild and wooly winter entertainment. It hasn’t been around as long as sledding, but most accounts seem to agree it has existed at least since World War I. Early snow tubes were little more than black rubber tubes from ordinary tires. As the sport grew in popularity, manufacturers responded by creating tubes that were designed just for recreational riding.
Although a snow tube can be used as a flotation device, a normal floater tube can’t be used for snow tubing due to temperature and friction considerations. Snow tubing is inherently rougher on the material than floating in a swimming pool or lake, so you need to get a tube that’s winter tough. The size and weight capacity of your snow tube also matter and can make all the difference between a fun afternoon and a soggy, miserable time.
The size of the snow tube you select involves a bit of a trade-off. The bigger the tube, the easier it is to stay on it and the larger the person who can safely ride it. The flip side is: the bigger the tube, the more surface area it has, which can slow down the ride due to friction.
Friction is the reason a large snow tube will always be slower than a small one. A larger tube will start slower and take longer to accelerate. If you want a safe snow tube for the kids, get the biggest one you can find. If kids aren’t riding it and you want a snow tube that takes off like a rocket, go small.
Closely related to the size of the snow tube is how much weight it can hold. A larger tube is normally able to support more weight. Weight capacity also depends somewhat on the materials used in the snow tube’s construction.
Where you’re going to go snow tubing is a big consideration. If you’re heading to a ski resort that has plowed snow tube runs with high banks to keep you on course, you can choose any snow tube you like.
If you’re going snow tubing “in the wild,” so to speak, along wide-open slopes or on dirt roads, you might want to get the biggest snow tube you can find. The reason is simple. Snow tubes seem to have a magnetic affinity for trees. If you’ve ever ridden one, you know there’s no such thing as steering them. So, it’s only a matter of time before one goes off track, resulting in you getting up close and personal with a tree trunk. All it will take is one close encounter of the tree kind to make you a true believer in safety.
Bigger tubes provide more cushioning in case of an impact. Additionally, since larger tubes generally move slower, you won’t crash into a tree like a runaway freight train. That slower speed will also give you the option to roll off the tube to safety before you get a face full of bark.
Typical materials for snow tubes are tear-resistant rubber and cold-resistant PVC. The thicker the material, the less likely it is to be punctured. It will last longer, too. The covers are often made of polyester canvas that breathes and resists mildew.
Snow tube makers are all in for color and design. Blue and black are common colors, but so are red, orange, gray, silver, white, pink, violet, and green. Many inflatable snow tubes are two-tone or are decorated with intricate designs and patterns.
Handles are required for safety on snow tubes. If you see a snow tube without handles, get something else. It’s fun to feel wild and free but think safety first.
Two lines aren’t required for snow tubes, but it makes it easier to drag them back uphill after you ride them to the bottom. Snow tubes can be rather heavy, or at least they may start to seem that way when you’re walking uphill, so a tow line is a nice option to have.
Air pump: K KUMEED Electric Air Pump
You can huff and puff to blow up your snow tube, or you can do it the easy way with an air pump from K KUMEED. For such a low price, we vote for the easy way.
Face protection: LONGLONG Balaclava-Ski Mask
Everyone knows to dress in layers to stay warm and wear gloves, but when winter air goes rushing over your face, you can get chapped, chilled, or frozen in no time. A face mask like this one from LONGLONG protects your face against the elements.
Inexpensive: Under $20 is the bargain bracket for snow tubes. You definitely get what you pay for. Cheaper tubes are made from thinner, weaker material with less quality control.
Mid-range: From $20 to $80 is the medium price range for snow tubes. Here, you’ll find decent tubes in a variety of colors that you can ride for quite a while.
Expensive: Over $80 is the high end for inflatable snow tubes. These tubes will be rugged, durable models that will give you years of fun on the slopes.
Q. What is the best way to store a snow tube during the summer?
A. Completely deflate it, dry it off, and store it flat if possible
Q. What do I do if my snow tube is heading for a tree or rock?
A. Roll off the tube to one side or the other. Steering isn’t an option with inflatable snow tubes, but snow is softer than the alternatives.
Q. Should I snow tube on a slope where people are using sleds?
A. No. Sleds and snow tubes don’t mix. The chances of a crash are just too high.
