You don’t have to spend to much time in and around Seattle to understand how beautiful of a place it is. Amongst the numerous pine forests and sprawling mountain ranges, you can find endless activities to keep you occupied this Winter.
Sledding and tubing are wonderful wintertime activities that you can take advantage of if you are visiting or living in the Seattle area. Within just a short drive you can find some of the most perfect spots to go sledding. Many of these spots are immersed in the beautiful landscape of National and State Parks and offer breathtaking views.
1. Snoqualmie Summit Tubing Area
Location
The Summit at Snoqualmie 1001, WA-906, Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068
Snoqualmie Tubing area is located a little under an hour east of Seattle off of I-90. To reach the tubing hill take exit 53 and follow signs for the Snoqualmie Ski area.
Cost
Prices vary depending on age. Tickets are sold for two-hour sledding sessions. Child’s tickets are $8, youth is $24, and adults are $26.
Hours
Open Friday from 11 am to 8 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.
More Info
You can’t go wrong with tubing at Snoqualmie! It is super close to the city and easy to get to. Not to mention, the smoothly groomed hills are perfect for all age groups. This tubing area is huge too! They offer more than 20 tubing lanes and the hills are nice and long (about the length of a football field).
In addition to that, you don’t even have to worry about making the long walk up the sledding hill. Snoqualmie provides a covered lift to the top of the hill.
Once you are done with your 2-hour session of tubing, be sure to warm your fingers and toes up in the small cafe located near the tubing hill. This cafe comes equipped with restrooms and food options.
You can also stop by the nearby Silver Fir Day Lodge and Dru Bru Brewery to unwind and warm up.
Things to Know
This tubing area recommends that kids be a least 3 year of age in order to ride. Children less the 42 inches in height can ride double with a parent.
Word to the wise: This place gets very crowded so be sure to reserve your ticket on the Snoqualmie website ahead of time.
2. Suncadia Tubing Hill
Location
3600 Suncadia Trail, Cle Elum, WA 98922
Suncadia Tubing Hill is located an hour and a half east of Seattle off of I90. You can find the sledding hill off of exit 80 next to the Swiftwater Winery. In fact, this tubing hill is just a couple miles up the road from Snoqualmie Tubing Area.
Cost
$20 per person for a 3-hour session.
Hours
Daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Hours can vary. If you have any questions call the concierge desk at 509-649-6461.
More Info
This place is perfect if you want to beat the crowds, pay less, and still have a fun time.
At Suncadia no prior reservations are necessary. This tubing area will wow you with its good sized hills and beautiful views. You can sled in comfort knowing that you don’t have to drag your tube back up the hill. Suncadia has tow ropes that do the work for you.
Things to Know
If sledding is not your thing, Suncadia also offers lots of cross country ski trails, ice skating, and snowmobiling. All the equipment needed for these activities can be rented.
After you are done spending a day out in the cold, I’d suggest checking out Swiftwater Cellars which offers food options such as sandwiches, pasta, flatbread, salad, a kids’ menu, etc. There is also wine tasting available.
Be sure to bring your camera, there are great views of Mount Baldy and you won’t want to miss out on perfect shots of your kids sledding.
3. LT. Michael Adams / Leavenworth Tubing Park
Location
10701 Ski Hill Drive, Leavenworth, WA 98826
This tubing park is a two and a half hour drive East of Seattle. It is off of highway 2 near the town of Leavenworth.
Cost
$20 for a 90-minute session or $32 for a full day of skiing and 1.5 hours of tubing.
Hours
Open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Hours do depend on the snow and weather. Check out their website for more info.
More Info
This tubing hill is part of a small ski resort that has been in business since the 1920s. The tubing hill is named after a Lt. Michael Adams who was killed in March 2004 while serving in Iraq. Thanks to Lt. Adams’ family and friends this tubing area is a reality.
The hill itself is a blast and will send you on a fast 100-foot ride to the bottom of the hill. You can then do it all over again after you ride the tow rope lift to the top!
Things to Know
Once you are done tubing, you can try out downhill skiing on one of the various ski hills. Leavenworth resort also offers 26 km of cross country skiing and snowshoe trails. You and your family can also warm up in the Ski Hill Lodge.
The actual town of Leavenworth is just 2 miles away for the tubing area. There are multiple cafes, shops, and restaurants worth checking out. In addition to that, there is a sledding hill in the town park that is free.
4. Mount Rainier National Park (Paradise) Tubing Area
Location
Paradise Rd E, Ashford, WA 98304
This great tubing area is located in the gorgeous Mt. Rainier National Park which is 87 miles from Seattle. It is north of the upper parking lot at Paradise and is near the Jackson Visitor Center.
Cost
There is an entry fee of $30 per car. A $55 annual pass is also available.
Hours
Open Saturday-Sunday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Also open weekdays during Christmas break.
More Info
The views and scenery in this tubing area will leave you stunned. How many people can say that they’ve tubed in the view of a volcano? In reality that is what you are actually doing when you are here. There are great views of Mount Rainier and the whole area turns into a winter wonderland after a snowstorm.
Mount Rainier Tubing Area offers an ungroomed but fun sledding experience. You do have to bring your own sled or tube or you can buy one when you get there at the Longmire General Store or at the Jackson Visitor Center.
Things to Know
Paying that $30 entrance fee is well worth it! This sledding spot gives you a great hill and you can also warm up, use the bathroom, or get something to eat in the visitors center (which is open from 11 am to 4 pm). You can also choose to go on a guided snowshoe tour if you get bored of sledding.
5. Hyak Sno-Park
Location
Snoqualmie Pass, WA 98068
Hyak Sno-Park is an hour drive east of Seattle. It is off of I90 (exit 54) right before Keechelus Lake.
Cost
There is no admission fee, but a Sno-Park Permit for your care and a Discover Pass is required. You can purchase these passes upon arrival at an electric pay station.
Hours
Daily from 8 am to 4:15 pm.
More Info
Hyak Sno-Park is a favorite for many coming from Seattle. It is affordable and offers a low-key sledding environment that the whole family will enjoy. This state-owned park is groomed on average 5 times a week and offers an exhilarating and smooth ride down a fun hill.
Things to Know
Because Hyak is a favorite for many, it can get very crowded. The parking lot is quite small and can fill up fast, so be sure to get there early!
Be sure to bring your own drinks, food, and sleds. The only facilities offered is a heated bathroom.
6. Hurricane Ridge
Location
3002 Mount Angeles Rd. Port Angeles, WA 98362
Hurricane Ridge is located 17 miles from Port Angeles in the gorgeous Olympic National Park. It is about a 3-hour drive west of Seattle.
Cost
$10 for a one-hour session and tube rentals. In addition, there is a park entrance fee of $15 per car. You can also purchase a year pass for $30 which is recommended if you live in the area.
Hours
Hours change frequently. Your best bet is to check their website for more up-to-date information.
Keep in mind that the road into Olympic National Park opens to uphill traffic at 9 am and closes to uphill traffic at 4 pm. All cars must be down the hill by 5 pm.
More Info
You and your kids will be grinning from ear to ear as you slide down the hills located in this gorgeous area. The views here are second to none!
When you want to take a break from sledding, the visitor center is located nearby and offers restrooms, a snack bar, exhibits, and a movie.
Things to Know
If you have little ones, there is a smaller sledding hill that is located just west of the visitor center and may be much more conducive for them. In addition to sledding, this area also offers places to ski and snowboard.
One more important thing to mention: The road conditions in Olympic National Park can be extremely temperamental. Always check the road conditions before heading up. You can do this by calling 360-565-3131.
Our Favorite Snow Sleds for the Whole Family
7. Echo Valley
Location
1700 Cooper Gulch Rd, Manson, WA 98831
Echo Valley is a little further from Seattle. It is about a 3.5-hour drive east of Seattle near the town of Chelan off of highway 150.
Cost
$15 for a full day pass or $10 for a half day pass. There are also family rates available for $50. Tube rentals are included in the ticket cost. Kids under 5 and 5th graders get in for free!
Hours
Daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
More Info
This sledding area is perfect for those who want to get out of town. It is located further away, but not too far off the beaten path.
The great thing about Echo Valley is that it is a nonprofit resort and tubing area. It is very affordable and provides an enjoyable tubing experience. You have four lanes to choose from and the ride will give you the rush of adrenaline that you are looking for.
Things to Know
Echo Valley is also a great place to ski and snowboard. You can also relax in the day lodge located in the base area.
It has a cozy facility with a large fireplace and plenty of areas to eat.
8. Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park
Location
Lake Wenatchee Sno-Park is located two and a half hours east of Seattle off of highway 207.
Cost
This sledding area is free. However, each vehicle needs a Discovery Pass and a daily Sno-Park Permit, or a Seasonal Sno-Park Permit with a Special Groomed Trails Permit.
Hours
Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
More Info
Lake Wenatchee is a popular summer camping destination, however, when the snow falls in the winter, there is much fun to be had.
The south park has a great tubing hill and an extensive “snow play area”. This is not just a great spot to go sledding, it is also perfect for just playing in the snow. Winter storms bring plenty of snow to build a snowman or start a snowball fight.
Once you are done sledding, I highly suggest doing some sight seeing. Lake Wenatchee is magical in the winter, which is frosty banks and snow-dusted tree.
Be sure to bring your cameras!
Things to Know
Lake Wenatchee State Park offers tons of trails that are perfect for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. They also offer amenities such as heated restrooms, food areas, and ski and snowshoe rentals.
9. White Pass Tubing Area
Location
48935 US Hwy 12 Naches, WA 98937
White Pass Tubing Area is located two and a half hours southeast of Seattle and sits at the edge of Mt. Rainier National Park off of Highway 12.
Cost
Tickets cost $5 for kids 8 years and under and $8 for ages 9 and up. It also costs $5 to rent a tube.
Hours
The park is open in 2 hour increments from 9:30 am to 4 pm.
More Info
At White Pass Tubing Area you and your family are destined to have fun! This tubing area offers stupendous groomed runs.
To top it off every year they hold the “White Pass Winter Carnival”. This winter vent features a huge snow castle for kids to play in, snow sculptors, live music, a carnival, a bunch of snow sports competitions, and even fireworks.
Things to Know
The tubing area is located in the White Pass Ski Resort which has received quite a bit of a facelift over the years. There is a new lodge that you can relax in and once you’re done tubing you can clock a couple runs down the ski slopes.
10. Stevens Pass Snow Play and Sledding Area
Location
Summit Stevens Pass, US Hwy 2 Skykomish, WA 98288
This sledding spot is located 2 hours from Seattle and is off of Highway 2.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
Some say that the good things in life don’t come for free…that is not true for this sledding area! Stevens Pass has a sledding and tubing area near the Nordic Center that is completely free.
There are a couple of great slopes to slide down that will leave you and your kids wanting to come back for more. In addition to that, you can relax in the Cascade Depot Lodge, which offers restrooms, food, and beverages. The only thing you need to have fun in this sledding area is your own sledding/tubing equipment and a desire to have fun.
Things to Know
This sledding area is best suited for children 10 and under. Stevens Pass is also a great area to go snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
There are plenty of trails to be explored and a pass must be purchased in the Cascade Depot or Nordic Center.
11. Mountain Loop Highway
Location
Mountain Loop Highway is a 50-mile stretch of road that starts in Granite Falls and ends in Darrington.
Cost
Free.
Hours
N/A
More Info
Rather than being a specific sledding spot, Mountain Loop Highway is more of a stretch of road that has various possibilities of sledding spots. This road cuts through beautiful pine-filled mountains and is perfect for those who are looking for spontaneity when it comes to sledding.
There are many options of hills to sledding down and riders must pick and blaze there own sledding runs.
Things to Know
Because there are no official sledding spots, one must choose safe routes and take proper safety precautions.
Be sure to choose hills that have a good stopping area and ones that aren’t too steep. Also, make sure that there is plenty of snow to sled on and that your path isn’t obstructed with trees or rocks.
12. Gas Works Park
Location
2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103
Gas Works Park is located just 5 miles north of downtown Seattle.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Daily from 6 am to 10 pm.
More Info
It doesn’t snow too often in the city of Seattle, but when it does this spot is the cream of the crop! The park is on the former site of an oil plant but has now become a hilly 20-acre park with stunning city views.
The reason why it is perfect for sledding is because of the big hill (Kite Hill) located at the edge of the park. This hill is wide open, quite tall, and moderately steep. It is the perfect recipe for fun and is a must try when there is snow on the ground.
Things to Know
Gas Works Park does offer restrooms for public use. As mentioned earlier it is a great place to view the city and provides multiple picnic areas.
13. Zumdieck Park
Location
1500 108th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Zumdieck Park is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Seattle. It is located in the city of Bellevue (east of Seattle) just off of Highway 520.
Cost
Free.
Hours
Daily from 6 am to 6 pm.
More Info
Zumdieck Park is a great place to stop by if you are looking for decent hills within the city. The park offers multiple hills to choose from and is a wonderful place to take the little ones sledding.
Next time a storm blows through the Seattle area plan on visiting this park!
Things to Know
This park may be pretty small (4.15 acres) but it has a lot to offer. It has picnic areas, various trails, a playground, two tennis courts, and a beautiful forested area. I highly recommend visiting this park in the summer months as well.
Don’t Forget to Stay Dry and Warm!
We all know staying outside in the snow for hours sledding hills calls for some good snow gear, especially for kids. Check out our top picks for snow jackets, pants, and boots.
The right clothing will make all the difference and make your snow day that much better!
