It's A Winter Thing: Tubing

By Michael Swan on January 16, 2011

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There's no joy quite as satisfying as the joy derived from a really good bitch session.  And in times like these - winter, of course, what did you think we meant?  Everything else is perfect, silly - complaining nonstop is really the only way to go. Especially if you're not a skier or snowboarder.  But should you grow weary of kvetching (and there are reports of this happening, though they are about as common as the word kvetch), there is a cheaper, adrenaline-filled alternative: Tubing at Mount Rainier. Stop laughing. What could be better than careening uncontrollably in a glorified tire, down a freakin' massive rock loaded with hundreds of feet of snow?  Not much, other than it's free after paying for a park pass for the day, which is $15 per vehicle.

Due to trees, rocks and people's heads, the snowplay area patrol at Paradise suggests using "soft" sliding devices - flexible sleds, inner tubes, and saucers. They'll get pissed if they see hard toboggans or runner sleds.

Let's take a look at today's weather at the Paradise's tubing area: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 41. Southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Hmmmm. Go Hawks!

LINK: Mount Rainier information