I Don’t Ski, but I Unironically Love Snow Tubing in Wisconsin

Although over the decades, after a little trial and much error, I have firmly established that I am neither a skier nor a snowboarder (strapping fiberglass planks to my feet now induces a considerable amount of unnecessary anxiety), I am always up for a good time. My desire for low-skill, high-reward fun led me just across the border to Trollhaugen in Dresser, Wisconsin. It's more than a destination just for skiers or snowboarders—it's a place that welcomes folks who prefer plummeting down the slopes while positioned firmly on their posteriors, i.e. snow tubers.

Adventures in gravity

Trollhaugen's snow tubing park is adjacent to the main resort, with its own parking lot and Adventure Lodge. Instead of all that fumbling around in a parking lot or chalet with gear and special boots, all you have to do is park the car, walk up to the ticket window, and within minutes, you and your tube will be conveyed to the top of the runs via a "magic carpet" conveyor. You don't need balance. You don't need coordination. You just need gravity and a willingness to let go.

Speaking of gravity, you won't need to worry about it all on the way up. Instead of huffing and puffing your way back to the summit like you would on a neighborhood sliding hill, you simply hop on the conveyor. It’s essentially a sidewalk that climbs the slope for you. I spent the ride up feeling smug that I wasn't perspiring inside my parka.

I know we're in the Midwest, but Wisconsin hills are no joke—especially in the western part of the state where the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers carve deep valleys into steep bluffs. Standing at the top of Tollhaugen's tubing hill, the drop looks much steeper than it does from the parking lot. The lanes at Trollhaugen are carved deep, creating snowy chutes that guide you straight down. The wind whips past your ears, the snow sprays up around the tube, and for at least a minute, a smile is plastered across your rosy cheeks.

A taste of Wisconsin

After a dozen runs, the cold inevitably started to seep through my gloves. I decided to head for the Adventure Lodge to regain some feeling in my extremities. If there is one thing Wisconsin does better than almost anyone, it’s comfort food. The chalet at Trollhaugen feels exactly like you want a winter lodge to feel: bustling, warm, and smelling faintly of fried delights. I grabbed a beer and a basket of curds, but you'll find plenty of other options, as well, including hot drinks to warm your fingers. Sipping my suds, I felt pretty content. I hadn’t spent a fortune on gear. I hadn’t risked twisting an ankle (or worse) on a mogul. I just showed up, sat down, and for a few hours enjoyed the Wisconsin winter like I was a kid again.

If you want to mix up your winter routine, head to Dresser for some of the best snow tubing in Wisconsin. Trollhaugen delivers pure, unadulterated speed, and the best part is, you don’t need any sense of balance to enjoy it. For hours and pricing information, visit Trollhaugen on the web. For more winter adventures in the Badger State, check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.