Tubing and sledding in Lake Tahoe are the stuff of legends. Whether it’s your first Tahoe snow or your hundredth, you’ll be awestruck by the serene, snow-covered beauty that surrounds the region while joyfully racing down the slopes.
Lake Tahoe tubing and sledding are some of the funnest family-friendly ways to enjoy a snowy winter up close. No matter what kind of wintertime fun you’re looking for, you’ll find unforgettable experiences here.
Planning Your Stay
Depending on where you stay, you might not even need to leave your resort to find a fun spot to sled or snow tube in Lake Tahoe. Ahead of your winter getaway, check out one of North Lake Tahoe’s many resorts where you can sled, tube, ski, snowboard or ice skate the day away. We’ll talk more about some of these below.
Safe Snow Tubing and Sledding
No matter what kind of Lake Tahoe adventure you are planning, make sure to plan ahead. Before you set out to Lake Tahoe, ensure that you are aware of any transportation guidelines — if you are driving, adhere to chain-use guidelines to ensure a safe trip. Or, avoid the hassle of driving altogether, and look into public transportation options, such as TART.
Additionally, make sure to keep an eye on the weather. You can also utilize the Lake Tahoe webcams to check in on current sledding and snow tubing conditions in real-time. This far into the mountains, the forecast can change quickly, so it is important to have a plan in place. Download county and state alert apps to make sure you are up to date with temperatures and weather conditions.
Finally, practice good “slediquette.” Take all your belongings with you and properly dispose of any broken equipment. Let’s keep the region looking beautiful and preserved for next season!
Snow Tubing vs. Sledding
Although the activities are quite similar, there is a difference between snow tubing and sledding.
- Sledding – varies in shape and design, such as circular saucers or long toboggans made of hard plastic, metal or wood. Tends to be slower than tubes, but offer more control on way down.
- Tubing – uses round vinyl inner tube or “donut.” Similar to what you’d use on waterslides. Faster and harder to control than sleds, so may be better for older kids or adults.
With either option, helmets are not required, but they are encouraged as an extra safety precaution. Metal sleds are sturdier than plastic sleds, so if you are planning to get long-lasting use out of your sled, you might opt for metal over plastic.
Despite those differences, very often tubing will fall under the “sledding” umbrella. But it’s still useful to know the difference between the two because many of Tahoe’s resorts allow only for snow tubing. A few do allow sleds (which we point out below), as do all of the free, public spots found outside the resorts.
Whether you go tubing or sledding in Lake Tahoe is based on personal preference and needs. Ahead of your Tahoe snow day, decide which activity is better for your purposes, or try them both to see the difference!
Where to Buy Snow Tubes and Sleds in Lake Tahoe
You don’t need to bring your own gear to enjoy sledding and snow tubing in Lake Tahoe. Paid ticketed spots all will include a sled or tube to use. So if you don’t feel like transporting gear around, these spots are ideal.
Please note, we always recommend calling any shop in advance to be sure they have sleds and tubes in stock. If they don’t, they’ll usually be able to point you in the right direction.
Check out our sledding page for additional information on sledding locations.
Paid vs Free Sledding and Tubing in Lake Tahoe
Some sledding spots in Lake Tahoe are free to use and some require a paid ticket. There’s benefits to each.
Paid spots are often located at the area’s of ski resorts, include a sled or tube with the ticket, are more regularly groomed, provide easier access to amenities like bathrooms or restaurants, and may have staff on hand to assist.
Free spots can be enjoyed at no cost with free parking, and several are steeper hills than what you might find at a resort, but they can get more crowded and require you bring your own gear.
Free Sledding Spots
- Spooner Summit
- Tahoe Meadows
- Incline Village Championship Golf Course
Paid Sledding Spots
- Granlibakken Resort Ski Area
- Tahoe City’s Winter Sports Park
- North Tahoe Regional Park
- SnoVentures Activity Zone at Palisades Tahoe
- Everline Resort
- Tube Town at Soda Springs Resort
- Tahoe Tubing at Boreal
- Sugar Rush Tubing at Sugar Bowl
- Tahoe Donner Snowplay
Best Places to Go Snow Tubing and Sledding in Lake Tahoe
You don’t need to be an expert at navigating the slopes to enjoy some fast-paced fun atop the snow. Sledding and tubing are great activities that almost anyone can participate in. Many snow parks and hills in the Lake Tahoe area offer hassle-free sledding and tubing opportunities. Below we explore each, starting with the paid spots.
Granlibakken
A great stop for families traveling with children is Granlibakken, a popular resort featuring a sprawling area to play in the snow. The sled hill at Granlibakken is one of the only fully managed sled hills in the Lake Tahoe area, meaning there are staff at both the top and the bottom of the hill to ensure every rider’s safety. On select Saturdays they also do night sledding. Saucers for sledding are included with each sledding ticket. No outside sleds or tubes allowed.
Tahoe City’s Winter Sports Park
Winter Sports Park in Tahoe City is one of the area’s most popular sledding destinations for younger kids. Their smaller man-made sled hill offers 1.5 hour sledding sessions, and includes discs. No outside sleds allowed. As a bonus, your four-legged friends can join in the fun; Tahoe City’s Winter Sports Park is dog-friendly.
North Tahoe Regional Park
Head to North Tahoe Regional Park in Tahoe Vista for an action-packed afternoon of winter adventures. The Sled Hill there is $5 per person for an all-day pass, which includes saucers or plastic sleds to use. Here, you’ll find two separate snow hills, each with its own winter play area. There’s a smaller hill, with paved path for access, and a bigger hill, with wooden steps along the side. There is also plenty of wide-open space to explore and find your own sledding spots.
For more snow play, try zip lining at the park’s TreeTop Adventure Course (open on select winter days), or enjoy the dog parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas in the area. Heated, clean restrooms are available near the bottom of the hill at the parking lot.
Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley offers a wide range of family-friendly snow-themed activities. Head to the SnoVentures Activity Zone for an afternoon spent rushing down a mountain of snow at one of its three tubing hills. On some nights, they even also offer disco tubing — a dance party, a light show and a night of tubing all in one!
A magic carpet transports guests to the top of the slopes. Parking is free, but tickets (purchased online) are required for 55-minute snow tubing sessions, with tubes provided. (Personal sleds or tubes are not allowed.) The nearby SnoVentures Lodge offers snacks, restrooms, fire pits for marshmallow roasting, and a toddler room.
Everline Resort
Nearby Palisades, Everline Resort offers sledding at a designated hill near the base of Resort Chair chairlift. This low-angle hill is good for small children. Sleds are available to rent on property. For more info you can contact the Everline Rec Center at 530-584-4024.
Tube Town at Soda Springs Resort
Tube Town self-proclaims “tubing has never been easier.” And they might be right. With 10 groomed lanes and a magic carpet to take you back up to the top of them, there’s no shortage of snow tubing to be had.
Located at Soda Springs Mountain Resort – the longest running ski resort in California – Tube Town is part of a large snow play area that includes Planet Kids (for smaller children) and Woodward State Park (for ski and snowboard learning). Everything is accessible with an all-inclusive Mountain Adventure ticket, which includes complimentary access to tubes, skis, snowboards and helmets. You must be 42″ or taller to go tubing at Tube Town, while smaller tykes can enjoy Planet Kids. Personal tubes and sleds are not allowed.
Tahoe Tubing at Boreal
Tahoe Tubing at Boreal Mountain Resort offers 90 minutes of fun-filled tubing, with tubes included! While their sister resort at Soda Springs is perfect for the littlest adventurers, Tahoe Tubing is for those who can ride solo. No lap rides or sharing tubes here, and children under 42″ are limited to the snow play area but are not permitted to tube. Personal sleds or tubes aren’t allowed.
Sugar Rush Tubing at Sugar Bowl
Sugar Rush Tubing at Sugar Bowl Resort has 10 unique lanes and a 500-foot moving carpet. For younger kids, the Snow Play area offers mini-tubes, Burton Riglet boards, a Rotunda, and the fan-favorite Snow Volcano. Tubes are included with ticket. Online reservations recommended. Each rider must be 42″ or taller, with one person per tube.
Sugar Rush is open on weekends and holidays, and is located at the Judah base area entrance. Food and drinks are available onsite. Sessions are limited to 2 hours.
Tahoe Donner Snowplay
The snowplay area at Donner Ski Resort is the perfect place to make snow angels, build snowmen, have snowball fights and sled. It contains monitored tubing lanes, sled lanes and play area. Online reservations are recommended for a ticket, which provides the tube or sled for a 75-minute session. Snow tubers must be at least 36 inches tall and anyone under the height must be accompanied by an adult on a sled.
For more on Tahoe Donner Snowplay, and other spots nearby, check out this Truckee Sledding, Tubing and Snow Play guide.
Spooner Summit
Spooner Summit is a popular free sledding spot in Lake Tahoe, located at the junction of Highway 50 and Highway 28 on its eastern side. The hill offers a steep climb for a thrilling ride down, but levels off toward the bottom for those seeking a more mellow ride, making it a fun sledding experience for all ages.
Parking is free, though fills up quickly on weekends and holidays. While there are no on-site restrooms, they can be found nearby at Spooner Lake State Park. Be sure to bring your own sleds or snow tubes, which can be purchased in Incline Village if needed.
Tahoe Meadows
There are several areas around Mt. Rose Summit to take the family for a snow play adventure that is free and open to all. Bring your own sleds and snow tubes to Tahoe Meadows, an open field along the Mt. Rose Highway (Hwy. 431) about 6.5 miles north of Incline Village. Just park off the side of the road and explore one of Lake Tahoe’s best sledding areas. Or, travel further up to the top of the highway for snow play on the summit. Mt. Rose is also a popular destination for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.
Incline Village
The driving range next to the Chateau Clubhouse at the Incline Village Championship Golf Course turns into a fun snow play area in the winter. The slopes are gently, making this sledding and tubing spot a wonderful place for children of all ages to enjoy sliding or playing in the snow.
There is no charge to use the area. Just remember to bring your own sleds or tubes!
There’s Snow Place like Lake Tahoe for Wintertime Fun
There’s also plenty of other winter fun to be had beyond sledding and tubing in Lake Tahoe.
If you’re looking for winter activity with more high-intensity thrills, Lake Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America — choose from 11 different resorts, each with their own unique slopes and amenities. You can also check out our Lake Tahoe winter activities guide and blog on winter family fun in Lake Tahoe.
To get you in the right mood for your winter fun, check out North Lake Tahoe’s official “Let It Snow” playlist.
