Do your kids love sledding, but wish the hills were bigger… or that the sled went faster? These little thrill-seekers are sure to love snow tubing and tobogganing, so we’ve rounded up all the local places to try these snowy activities, as well as a few destination hills and winter adventure parks. (If you haven’t tried tobogganing before, it differs from sledding in that it has no, or only low, runners or skis on the underside. The bottom of a toboggan rides directly on the snow and typically allows for multiple people to ride at once, which makes it such fun with friends.)
Most of the local hills on our list require a natural snowfall, while many of the destination hills at winter resorts make their own snow. Pricing varies widely, so we’ve included it below to give you an idea of what you’ll spend at each spot; prices are subject to change but current as of December 2022. See you on the hills!
Where to Snow Tube and Toboggan in Chicagoland
Local Tubing Hills
Villa Olivia
1401 W Lake Street
Bartlett, IL 60103
(630) 540-4199
Villa Olivia takes online reservations for snow tubing. Guests can book a 2-hour visit. Admission is $30 per guest ages 6 and over. Children 4 and 5 years old are allowed to ride share. There is a slight discount for night tickets, as well as for Bartlett residents. Multi-visit passes can also be reserved.
Mount Hoy at Blackwell Forest Preserve
Enter off Butterfield Road between Batavia Road and Winfield Road
Warrenville, IL 60555
The tubing hill at Mount Hoy is open for rentals on weekends and school holidays until February 26, 2023. Guests can pay $10 for a daily rental and enjoy the slopes from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Check out Annie’s insider’s guide before visiting.
Plum Creek Nature Center/Goodenow Grove
27064 S. Dutton Road
Crete Township near Beecher, IL 60401
Guests can rent snow tubes at Plum Creek Nature Center for a fee of $2 per tube.
Local Sledding Hills
If you own your own snow tubes, try taking them to one of the sledding hills on our list! It’s a fun and different experience than using a sled.
Destination Tubing Hills
Snow Park at Alpine Hills
4402 Larson Avenue
Rockford, IL 61108
(815) 966-8737
Guests interested in tubing at Alpine Hills will pay $10 per tube. Solo riders must be 6 years and up, whereas 4 and 5 year olds can ride tandem with an adult. The Snow Park is open from 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10:00am – 8:00pm on weekends and school holidays. Reservations are available online and are encouraged, as spots fill up quickly.
Wilmot Mountain
11931 Fox River Road
Wilmot, WI 53192
(262) 862-2301
Wilmot Mountain is open to guests on weekdays from 4:00pm – 8:00pm, or weekends and holidays from 9:00am – 8:00pm. Mondays through Thursdays, riders will pay $49 for 2 hours. Tickets should be purchased online in advance, as visitors will pay $5 more per person at the window.
Cascade Mountain
W10441 Cascade Mountain Road
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5588
“Tube Town” at Cascade Mountain opened on December 19, a ski and snowboard resort which features a 900-foot chute and a lift back to the top. Admission must be purchased online in advance and ranges from $19 to $40 per time slot, depending on age and time.
Sunburst Winter Sports Park
8355 Prospect Drive
Kewaskum, WI 53040
(262) 626-8404
A $25 lift ticket gets you a 2-hour lift ticket on weekends, or $20 for a longer session on Tuesdays – Thursdays evenings. Don’t forget to check their website for restrictions and guidelines before driving up, such as the minimum height recommendation of 42″.
The Rock Snow Park
7011 S Ballpark Drive
Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 235-8818
With pricing ranging from $20 – $35, guests are welcome to enjoy the hills by purchasing a 2-hour pass for Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Enjoy a four-hour visit Mondays through Thursdays. Special glow nights are offered from 9:15pm – 11:00pm on Saturdays.
Snowstar Winter Park
9500 126th Street West
Andalusia, IL 61232
(309) 798-2673
Snowstar is a winter adventure park with snow tubing, skiing and snowboarding. Visitors can reserve their 2-hour or 4-hour tubing session online or over the phone. All riders must be able to ride independently on their own tube, with no one under the age of 3 allowed.
Toboggan Runs in the Midwest
Pokagon State Park
450 Lane 100 Lake James
Angola, IN 46703
(260) 833-2012
With a 30-foot tower and over 90-feet total vertical drop, this refrigerated toboggan run is a must-see for winter thrill seekers. Toboggans may be rented on weekends for a fee of $20 per hour. There is also a parking fee of $7 in-state vehicles ($9 out-of-state vehicles).
Echo Valley
8495 E. H Ave
Kalamazoo, MI
(269) 349-3017
These toboggan runs are equipped with an all-season sledding surface called Everslide, which works in all weather conditions. Daily passes include unlimited access to tubing, tobogganing, and the warming lodge. The Daily Combo (tobogganing and tubing) is $20 and an Individual Season Pass (unlimited tobogganing and tubing) is $50. Heads up: they no longer accept credit cards. Find current hours on their homepage.
Lutherdale
N7891 US Hwy 12
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 742-2352
The campus of this religious camp and conference center includes 1.5 miles of trails, two toboggan runs, indoor and outdoor campfire locations, and wooded areas to make snow sculptures and explore. The sledding and toboggan hills can be rented for a group, or they have a family fun day at the end of January you can sign up for. Check their Facebook for more updates or call them to reserve your rental.
Looking for other new ideas? Check out our full guide of more outdoor activities, or all of our winter activity ideas.
