An Afternoon on the Tubes

Bear Creek Lodge - note the snowtube sign

We had a lot of fun going up to Bear Creek Lodge on Mt. Spokane for our snowtubing trip. Allow me to explain what snowtubing is all about.

First we brought our tickets to a person who explained all the rules. Then we grabbed snowtubes (the inner lining of a tire) that have ropes attached. We could pick any snowtube that was available, but a firm, symmetrical tube is considered best. Then we each handed the metal piece on our tube ropes to a guy that attached it to another moving rope. Then we sat on our tubes, and the moving rope pulled us up to the top of the hill.

Picking the right tube is important, just ask Chris and Li Gen

Going up the hill

As we were being pulled up the hill, we used the opportunity to throw snowballs at each other. Not a very nice activity, but it was a good source of amusement.

Yumi takes aim

As soon as we got to the top of the hill, we rolled off our tubes, and another guy detached the tube rope. We lined up in groups of four before getting permission to go down the hill.

This is where the real art of tubing comes in. For speed, the "tuber" will want to detach the tube rope, get a running start, dive on the tube, and lay as flat as possible. For simple enjoyment, the "tuber" may opt to sit cross-legged in the tube and take in the scenery.

It's not lonely at the top

On your mark, get set...

GO!!!

I've been sledding before, but never tubing. It was a great first experience. There are no pictures of me going down the hill because I was going too fast for the camera.

If we are going to have all this snow, we might as well take advantage of it. Dani was also especially happy that the rope going up the hill was working (last time she went, she had to walk up the hill). What do you think of tubing? As spring comes around, what are ideas about good spring things to do?

P.S.: I must again thank Hao for providing the pictures. He's quite the shutterbug (i.e. photographer).