Most people know Black Bear Snow Tubing for one thing: flying down a snowy mountain in winter. But there’s more to do at Black Bear Snow Tubing than the snow hill alone. Across fall and winter, the property offers a whole lineup of family-friendly activities in Hendersonville, NC, from mat tubing and hayrides to a remote-control crawler course and group events. If you’re wondering what Black Bear snow tubing activities are available beyond the tubing itself, here’s the full picture.
One thing to know up front: Black Bear is a fall and winter operation. Each activity runs on a seasonal schedule, so it helps to know what’s available when. Here’s everything the park offers.
Winter Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is the main event. From mid-December through late February, weather permitting, Black Bear runs a slope more than 600 feet long with an 80-foot vertical drop, on real snow made with state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment. A cable tug system pulls you and your tube back to the top, so there’s no hiking between runs, and a heated lodge keeps spectators warm.
Sessions run two hours, and everyone rides their own tube, including kids. It’s the easiest winter sport there is, with no skill to learn. Learn more on our winter tubing page.
Fall Mat Tubing
Before the snow arrives, fall tubing gives you the same downhill thrill with no snow required. On October weekends, Black Bear runs the slope using a German-engineered speed mat, a specially designed surface that lets tubes glide much like they do on snow.
It’s the only one of its kind in the country, which makes fall tubing a genuinely unique reason to visit in autumn. The experience feels a lot like snow tubing, minus the cold, which makes it a great option for families who want the thrill without bundling up. See our fall tubing page for details.
Scenic Mountain Hayride
For a gentler, scenic experience, the Scenic Mountain Hayride carries you on a tractor-drawn wagon to the top of Poplar Mountain. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly ride with beautiful seasonal views, and it runs during the fall and winter season. It’s a favorite for families, groups, and anyone who wants to take in the mountains at an easy pace. You can read more on our hayride page.
Bear Scat Track RC Crawler Course
Something completely different: the Bear Scat Track RC Crawler Course is a remote-control crawler course with 13 obstacles to master, including a floating bridge, a hill climb, and Boulder Mountain. You can rent one of the park’s trucks or bring your own, and it’s a hit with kids and hobbyists alike. Like the rest of the lineup, it runs during the fall and winter season. Details are on our RC crawler course page.
Birthday Parties & Group Events
Black Bear is a popular spot for birthday parties, church and school groups, and other gatherings. Group-friendly activities are available across the fall and winter season, and off-season events can sometimes be arranged by special request. Groups get a fun, memorable setting and an easy, all-ages activity. Tubing group discounts are available for larger groups booked together. For details and to plan a group visit, see our birthday parties and group events page.
Gift Cards (Available Year-Round)
While the activities themselves are seasonal, gift cards are the one thing available all year. They’re sold online and make a great present for the tubing fan in your life, or an easy way to plan ahead for a group outing. You can grab one anytime through our gift card page.
Concessions and the Heated Lodge
Between activities, the heated lodge is a comfortable place to warm up, and the on-site concessions are a highlight in their own right. You’ll find apple cider donuts, hot chocolate, coffee and espresso drinks, hot dogs, snacks, and souvenirs to take home.
It’s an easy spot for non-tubers to relax and for the whole group to regroup between runs, which makes a visit comfortable for everyone, not just the tubers.
Planning Your Visit
Because everything runs on a seasonal schedule, here’s a quick recap of what’s available when:
- Fall (October weekends): Fall mat tubing, plus the hayride and RC crawler course.
- Winter (mid-December through late February, weather permitting): Snow tubing, plus the hayride and RC crawler course.
- Year-round: Gift cards, available online.
A few more essentials:
- Tubing sessions run two hours. Everyone rides their own tube, including kids.
- Book ahead. Weekends fill up, especially in winter, so reserve online before you visit.
- Weather permitting. Snowmaking depends on cold temperatures, so winter conditions are always weather permitting.
- Rider guidelines. There’s a minimum age and a few simple requirements to ride. Check the park rules page for current details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Black Bear besides snow tubing?
Plenty. Along with winter snow tubing, Black Bear offers fall mat tubing on October weekends, a scenic mountain hayride, the Bear Scat Track RC crawler course, and birthday parties and group events, all during the fall and winter season.
Is Black Bear open year-round?
No. Black Bear is a fall and winter operation. Fall activities run on October weekends, and winter snow tubing runs mid-December through late February, weather permitting. Gift cards are the one thing available year-round, sold online.
What’s available in fall versus winter?
Fall (October weekends) features fall mat tubing, the hayride, and the RC crawler course. Winter (mid-December through late February) features snow tubing along with the hayride and RC crawler course.
Is Black Bear good for groups?
Yes. Black Bear is a popular choice for birthday parties, church and school groups, and other gatherings, with group-friendly activities across the season and group discounts for tubing.
How long are tubing sessions?
Tubing sessions run two hours, with plenty of time for run after run.
Plan Your Visit to Black Bear
Whether you’re after the thrill of snow tubing, the one-of-a-kind fun of fall mat tubing, or a relaxed hayride with the family, Black Bear has something for every kind of visitor across fall and winter. Pick your season, book your session, and come see why families keep coming back. Questions before you visit? Reach out through our contact page and we’ll be happy to help.
