Not everyone out there relishes barrelling down a mountain on two planks or being strapped onto a snowboard. Fortunately, there’s another equally fun way to hit the slopes. Unlike skiing or snowboarding, snow tubing requires no skill, yet it delivers the same feel-good endorphins. If you can plonk yourself into a tube, you’ve got this!
Overlooking the Banff Townsite, Mount Norquay Ski Resort sports the longest tube lanes in Alberta. Access to the top of the lanes is via a Magic Carpet conveyor lift. Slope angles vary between 10 and 15 degrees, then flatten out at the bottom, before rising uphill onto burlap, slowing the tube to a gradual stop.
With speeds of between 20 and 40 kilometres per hour, snow tubing is one of the most joyous ways to play in the mountains and can easily be amped up if you’re looking for even more of a rush. Race your tube mates down the slopes (pro tip: more weight equals more speed) or ask staff for a spin as they set you off. While only one person is allowed per tube, up to 10 tubes can be connected, allowing groups to slide simultaneously.
The only thing better than speed-plus-snow is après (socializing over drinks after a day of snowy activities). Warm up with a cozy concoction inside Norquay’s family-friendly Lone Pine Pub in the resort’s main Cascade Lodge. Or, dial up the romance by opting for night tubing on Friday and Saturday evenings, which starts the weekend after New Years.