Q: When are you open for the season?
A: Our season really starts when we have sufficient continuous cold weather.
Usually around the last week of the year. Once we get at least three continuous
days of temperatures below 22 degrees at night, we can make enough man-made snow
to open.
Q: When it snows outside, does it help?
A: Actually, No. Natural snow has a different texture and consistency. It takes
over 10 inches of natural snow to make one inch of usable snow for the tubing
hill. If anything, it makes it harder for people to get here because of the snow
covered roads.
Q: What days are you open?
A: Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Depending on conditions of the hill.
Please call ahead to make sure we are open. Also check the website often for any
closings. We may be open on certain Wednesday evenings for large groups and private
tubing parties. Call us during the day on Wednesday to see if we will be open
that evening.
Q: Were from out of the area. Is there a good restaurant and motel nearby?
A: Yes. You can download a map of the Winchester area that shows where some of
the restaurants and motels are located. Click
here for the map in PDF format.
Q: Can I take my child down in the tube with me?
A: No, not in the same tube. You must place your child in a separate tube and you can hold onto
his/her tube and go down together.
Q: What should I wear and are there any restrictions?
A: There are no restrictions as to clothing. Whatever keeps you warm and
comfortable. When temperatures are 20 degrees or below and the wind is blowing,
you may want to wear extra clothing, long underwear, or ski outfits. Goggles are
optional but not required. Good outdoor shoes with treads are helpful. No smooth
bottom or high heels. Please refrain from wearing any jewelry or hanging
earrings. Don't carry your cell phone when going down the hill.
Q: Can I bring my own tube, snow sled, skis, snow board, or toboggan?
A: No. We provide the only tubes you can use on our tubing hill.
Q: Is there a place to get warm?
A: Yes. We have a warm building where you can sit down, watch TV, and get
snacks.
Q: Once down the hill, how do I get back to the top?
A: There is a lift on the left side of the hill that will take you back to the
top. Once you get to the bottom, quickly exit your tube and walk to the left, and follow the trail to the lift line.
Q: How many people can you accommodate?
A: Currently we like to keep each session attendance below 140. (Note: this will
change this year with the addition of the new lift and more downhill chutes.) If more
people show up, we will ask them to wait for the next session. The best time to
come is the first or last session of the day.
Q: Why do you have a half hour break between sessions?
A: Our staff needs a break in order to warm up. Standing out in the cold air all
day is quite demanding.
Q: Do you give discounts for groups?
A: If your group is greater than 20 and you call in advance, you can receive a
discount.
Q: How long has the snow tubing here been open?
A: The 2005/2006 season is our seventh year in operation.
Q: How do you make your snow?
A: We have high pressure air pumps and high volume water pumps that feed the
snow making nozzles. When the mixed air and water emits from the nozzles, and
the temperature is right, snow will form and fall to the ground in huge piles.
Please don't eat the snow. The water comes from a pond.
Q: How do you spread the snow piles?
A: We have a large snow groomer that pushes and tills the snow into the chutes
you see on the hill.
Q: How deep is the snow on the hill?
A: There are places where the snow is almost 14 feet deep. The average hill is
around five feet deep depending upon the snow making conditions.
Q: How long does the snow last if it gets warm?
A: Depending on the air temperature, we can sustain a few warm spells and still
have a good hill to tube on. Warm conditions makes the hill much slower. Please call ahead to confirm if we will be open
after a warm spell.
Q: Does rain destroy the hill?
A: Usually it doesn't. Rain drains through the man-made snow leaving most of the
hill intact. We just have to chop up the hard ice with our machines to get it
usable again.
Q: What are the red and green lights for at the bottom of the hill?
A: The lights indicate if it is clear to proceed down the hill. Normally they
stay green. If you see a red light, you should not start down the hill. If you
are on the way down the hill and see the light turn red, use caution, try to
slow down, and be observant because the bottom may not be cleared of tubers.
Q: How do I put my lift ticket on?
A: Easy. Take the wire wicket and loop it into your zipper, button hole, or loop
on your coat. Fold the ticket in half. Open it back up and bend it backwards with the
color side to the inside. Fold it on the line of arrows and a crack will appear and you can easily remove the
backing. Place the ticket over the lower part of the wire wicket and fold it.
Q: What if I loose my ticket?
A: Immediately go to the office and notify them so you can get a replacement.
Numbers are assigned so you must give the office your name to get the same
number again.
Q: Do you take credit cards for payment?
A: No. We have no way to get valid authorization for credit cards. We accept
cash or checks only. Your address and drivers license number must be imprinted
on the checks.
Q: My family of five came all the way from Richmond and we only have $35
cash. Can you give us a break and let us go down a few times?
A: Please don't embarrass us by asking questions like that. We have set or price
per person for a reason. Our insurance, payroll, and operating expenses dictate
how much we must charge for each customer. There is an ATM at the bank in Gore
if you need cash.
(updated 12/4/05)