Snow tubing at Howelsen Hill drops you into groomed lanes on the slope above downtown Steamboat Springs. Grab a tube, catch the lift to the top, and slide back down as many times as your legs can take. It's a straightforward winter afternoon built for families and groups who want the thrill without strapping into skis.

Howelsen Hill opened in 1915 and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating ski area in North America. It still serves as a training ground for ski jumpers and Nordic athletes, and the tubing hill shares that same historic ground right at the edge of town, with the Yampa Valley spread out below.

The tubing runs in winter only and leans into the family-friendly side of the mountain. Bundle up, bring the kids, and plan around the seasonal hours, which shift with snow and conditions.