Tuesdays are “I tried it Tuesdays” where I’ll tell you about something I recently tried — a movie, an activity, a restaurant, etc.
Today’s topic: Snow tubing at Mount Pleasant of Edinboro (ski resort in…you guessed it…Edinboro)
What it is: Extreme sledding. It involves rocketing down a groomed slope at a ski resort on a rubber inner tube.
Where to do it: We went to the Polar Blast Tube Park at Mount Pleasant Ski Resort in Edinboro. Peek N Peak Ski Resort in nearby N.Y., offers it as well.
Runs: They have four single-track tubing runs. Riders go one at a time, four across (one in each run). When those riders clear the bottom dismounting area…the guide at the top tells the next four riders to go.
Height matters: Kids must be 42 inches to ride. And…one person per tube, so…it doesn’t appear parents and kids can ride together, but…I did see them make a few exceptions, so..it might be permitted with a smaller child.
All of the fun, none of the work: The fun part about tubing is that it’s all downhill…no trudging back up the hill to ride again, you simply get in line and an employee hooks your tube to a pulley system and you ride all the way up to the top of the hill.
Was it scary: No, not really, but…it’s high (a six-story drop) you go FAST and there were times I was convinced I was going to jump into another run. It’s NOT good for someone who is afraid of heights!
Was it physically demanding: Not really…remember…they’re pulling you up the mountain, but…there is a lot of getting up and down (to get on the tube to get towed up, to roll off at the top, etc., etc.), so…older adults or those with health challenges could get worn out quickly.
Wear a scarf and hat: You will get a face full of snow when you “drag your feet” to stop at the end…so wear a hat and/or scarf. By the way…riding on your belly is better because you don’t get the snow in the face when you’re dragging your feet behind you.
Parking/paying: You park on one side of the street (you’ll be able to see the tubing runs from there), then you should walk back to the lodge to pay (it’s behind the yellow house).
Cost: $8 per hour. They do take credit cards.
Is an hour enough? I think so. Provided it’s not extremely busy, you can get at least a dozen…and more like 20+ runs in an hour and that’s plenty. My Lauren could’ve ridden all night, but…I was bored with it by about the 10th time down.
The lodge: Offers refreshments, tables, a nice warm stove to cozy up to. Looked like fun, but…we didn’t have time to check it out.
Do parents have to ride? No…you can stand right there & watch, but..beware it gets cold. So…why not warm up and join in the fun?
Location: Get directions & info here.
Notably nice employees: I have to mention that every employee we encountered there (mostly teen boys…probably earning their season ski passes!) were extremely nice, friendly and good with kids. They all seemed to really enjoy their job. And…frankly, that’s not something I expect from most teen boys that I encounter at any place of employment (most look as thought they want you & your annoying kids gone from their sight). So…the fact that a bunch of teenage boys and young men were having fun helping kids have fun was just….cool, man.
Would I recommend it to a friend: Absolutely. It was a great way to work off some energy on an afternoon and…heck at $8 per person, it’s cheaper than going to a movie (especially when you factor in the popcorn & pop!).
Toby Froehlich, of Coldwell Banker Select sent out good news this week with big increases in sales and average home prices for our region. In Erie County, 749 single units sold by May 31 of 2012 compared to 621 in 2011. The average sale price was $129,408 in 2011 and $139,931 in 2012. That’s an 8.13 percent increase.
Thanks to Toby Froehlich!
