If January is good for anything, it’s good for snow, at least in northern Illinois. And even if the winter weather is fickle, it’s still prime for making snow when it doesn’t show up on its own. A handful of ski hills do just that all over the state, ensuring a mid-winter boredom buster no matter how brown or white the world actually is outside our windows. But you might be surprised (or not) to learn these ski hills are just as much about the tubing lanes as the downhill trails. By far, the best snow tubing in Illinois I’ve found is on an urban hill perched above Rockford.
The Snow Park at Alpine Hill’s unexpected city locale is partly what makes it so great. Not just because I find the city of Rockford to be utterly fantastic, but because it means that allotting an hour or two for some mountain fun is perfectly acceptable. You don’t need a weekend getaway or even a whole day. It doesn’t actually have to be snowing, and you don’t have to know how to make it down a piste to have a ton of snow fun. Snow tubing is a great winter equalizer, and even if you think you don’t like snow, the guaranteed giggles at Alpine Hill might change your mind.
My whole family is more adventurous than I am, or at least more athletically adept, so when we went to ski at Alpine Hill, I was relieved to warm up on the snow tubing lanes first. What no one expected was the roaring laughter that would keep the whole family getting in line over and over again. The multiple lanes allowed us to line up together, finding new ways to race or spin, all without me worrying about twisting my knees inside out. Who knew the mama bear could be so competitive if only you let her keep her rump firmly planted atop an inflatable doughnut?
There’s little threat of getting hurt while snowtubing here, although a few jolts on the back are enough to keep you alert. You’ll still have to sign a waiver, just in case. But it’s mostly about holding on tight, bracing for the wind in your face, and trying not to spin like a top all the way down. And at the end of the lane, you roll yourself and your tube onto a conveyor belt that takes you all the way back to the start—no climbing a steep hill in knee-deep snow required.
I’m not the only one who thinks the Snow Park at Alpine Hill has the best snow tubing in Illinois; it’s a very popular spot, and being just an hour from the west side of Chicago, tickets can sell out fast. It’s best to make a reservation in advance. It’s typically open Thursday through Sunday at 10 am and closes between 6 pm and 8 pm, weather permitting, during the snow season (usually late December through March). Tickets are sold in 90-minute increments, up to 2 weeks in advance. There’s a minimum height requirement of 36 inches; children need their own tickets and can’t sit on an adult’s lap, but small children in tubes can be tethered to their parents’ tubes.
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