I Don’t Ski, but the Snow Tubing in Minnesota Is Incredible

In Minnesota, there's an unwritten rule that you're supposed to embrace winter. We wear our sub-zero tolerance like a badge of honor. I have a confession to make, though: I don’t ski. I don’t snowboard, either (though I've tried it several times, but sadly decided I'm just too old for it). So, while my friends spend hundreds of dollars on bindings, lift tickets, and specialized boots that make you walk like a penguin, I’m usually searching for the nearest fireplace and bar.

That said, I refuse to spend four to five months of the year hibernating. I like that rush of wind in my face and the joy of a snow day, but without the steep (pun intended) learning curve (and the potential for broken bones) that comes with downhill skiing. This is how I found myself driving past the sign for Wild Chutes Snow Tubing at Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Let me say that if you pooh-pooh tubing as an activity that's just for kids, you're missing out on one of the best adrenaline rushes the Bold North has to offer.

I chose Wild Mountain because it's closer to my home in the Twin Cities than Spirit Mountain, Lutsen, Giants Ridge, or Mount Ski Gull; and it's usually less crowded than Hyland, Buck Hill, or Afton. I was not disappointed. The drive up to Taylors Falls is scenic, with the St. Croix River valley looking like a frosted postcard, and when you arrive, you'll appreciate how easy the process is compared to getting out on the slopes with skis or a snowboard. The Wild Chutes area is set apart from the main resort with its own parking lot and a chalet/warming house. There's no gear check, rentals, or fitting. All you need to do is show up, pay for a ticket (much cheaper than a lift pass), grab a tube, and hit the runs.

The magic of the magic carpet

Perhaps my favorite thing about snow tubing at Wild Mountain: You don't have to walk back up the hill. If you grew up sledding on neighborhood hills, you know the drill. You get 10 seconds of thrill followed by 10 minutes of trudging up a slippery slope, dragging a plastic sled while sweating through your snowsuit. It’s exhausting. At Wild Chutes, you hit the end of the run, toddle over to the conveyor lift, and the "magic carpet" whisks you to the top of the hill, ready for another run. 

Once you get to the top, the winter views of the St. Croix valley are beautiful, but you won't be enjoying them for long. Wild Chutes' multiple, machine-groomed lanes mean much less waiting for a run. The lanes are carved out with high snowy berms on the sides, so you don’t have to worry about crashing into a tree or veering off course. You just pick a lane, and down you go. Because you're low to the ground, 20 miles per hour feels like 60. You spin, bounce over the dips, and for a solid 30 seconds, you're a kid again. I watched fully grown adults shrieking with laughter all the way down—I may even have giggled a bit myself. After dark, enjoy Starlit Tubing, when the slopes are illuminated with colorful lights.

The aprés-tube

After a couple hours of tubing—which is a lot of runs thanks to the Magic Carpet—the cold eventually starts to nip at your nose. This is where that chalet comes in handy. It turns out the warming house is more than just a shelter from the wind; it’s a fully stocked refueling station. I headed inside, grabbed a slice of pizza, and a beer. They serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, so whether you need a hot cocoa to thaw out your fingers or some suds to celebrate surviving the biggest chute, they have you covered.

If you're like me and looking for a way to love winter without strapping foreign objects to your feet, head out to Wild Mountain, where you'll find some of the best snow tubing in Minnesota. I might not be a skier, but after a day at Wild Chutes, I can definitely say I’m a tuber.

For hours and pricing, visit Wild Mountain's website. Looking for more ways to embrace winter in the Bold North? Check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner for some ideas.