Snow tubing is considered one of the fun winter sports, just like snowboarding or snowshoeing. Snow tubing on snow actually works when gravity pulls you down from the higher and steeper slope of the mountain.
However, many people don’t want to snow tubing because of their dilemma regarding the safety of snow tubing. Therefore, in this article, we have pinpointed all the main reasons about whether snow tubing is dangerous or not.
Is snow tubing dangerous or safe?
Snow tubing can be very dangerous if proper safety measures are not taken. Snow tubing is substantially riskier since it is more likely to cause a head injury. However, if proper safety measures and the rules of snow tubing are followed, then snow tubing is a much safer winter sport.
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Can you get hurt with snow tubing?
If snow tubing is not properly planned and followed, then snow tubing may well be a dangerous activity. At the time of snow tubing, concussions and other injuries are particularly dangerous.
It is suggested by the experts that snow tubing must be done in a safe and well-maintained area where you can get expert advice and where the slide is well-maintained.
Why is snow tubing dangerous?
Snow tubing is dangerous for various reasons, and surely you have to keep your eyes open while sliding on the hills. Snow tubing is a fun winter sport as well as a dangerous sport if you are not careful. Below are some of the reasons why snow tubing is dangerous:
Head injury:
Severe head injury is the most common reason why snow tubing is dangerous. Collisions are inevitable in snow tubing because of the high velocities involved, and the risk of head injuries such as concussions and neck injury is the highest.
As a result, wearing a helmet whenever you take part in snow tubing is strongly advised to limit the risk of head injuries.
Losing control:
You can easily lose control of your tube in case you want to steer with your hands, just like sledding.
The tube will eventually spin downwards and lose its pathway, which can turn into a disaster. The tube’s pace increases as it descends, and it stops when the tuber reaches the bottom of the slope.
Sliding through the obstacles:
It is really crucial to keep your eyes open whenever you are sliding through the slopes of the mountain because there can be collisions between you and trees, rocks, or even sometimes with animals too, which can be pretty dangerous.
Chance of colliding with vehicles:
There’s a risk that you’ll be snow tubing near a highway, school, river, or wall if you’re not careful. Tubing down a hill alongside a road or driveway is very risky. Once your tube falls into the highway, then you can get struck by a car.
Vehicle collisions can cause serious fatal accidents. Snow and ice restrict visibility and make the road slippery. Drivers will be unable to see you well, and they will end up colliding with you.
Someone may assume that a slope is safe because it terminates on a quiet road; however, the danger is really not worth it.
Snow tubes are not safe:
Snow tubes can go faster than you can imagine, and you will not be able to stop them very easily. This high speed can cause fatal head injuries, which can lead to life-risking injuries. That is why it is really vital not to get over-excited and cross the limit while snow tubing.
Is snow tubing more dangerous than skiing?
Snow tubing is more dangerous than skiing because skiing injuries only consist of hips and lower body part injuries, while snow tubing injuries only involve head and neck injuries. Side by side, the annual rate of fatal accidents is only higher in snow tubing.
Also, snow tubing-related injuries are two times more severe than skiing-related injuries.
The most common part that gets injured due to the fatal accidents of snow tubing is the head and neck.
The percentage of head and neck injury for snow tubing is 34.7%, while for skiing is 21%. That is why snow tubing is considered a more dangerous sport than skiing.
How do you snow tube safely?
Snow tubing is the most popular way to spend time outside with family and friends throughout the winter season.
Since the sport can be enjoyable as well as provide a source of physical exercise during the chilly winter season, it can also result in catastrophic accidents, such as concussions.
Some safety tips which you can follow in order to snow tube safely:
Finding the right snow tube
Never use an ordinary tube whose build quality has been low grade and poor. You have to make sure that the quality of the tube is robust and has the ability to consume any sort of fatalities.
Dress accordingly
Proper dressing is a must because there is a big chance of getting struck by hypothermia and frostbite in case you get wet in the snow during snow tubing.
A helmet is a must needed of equipment
As head injuries are more common during snow tubing which is why you will need to make sure that you use a helmet every time you are snow tubing.
Selecting the right terrain
You will need to select a slope that has been made for sliding and also has a lengthy, flat space at the base where you may glide to a halt. Trees, potholes, pebbles, posts, and other risks should be removed off the terrain.
Sit properly on the snow tube
Never ever snow tube down the hill by standing or backward or head-first because this creates a high chance of head injury. Always put your arms and legs inside the borders of the snow tube.
You have to quickly get out of the path if you slip off the tube. If you’re stuck on the tube that won’t stop moving, tumble off and clear the way.
Keep a close eye on the children
Always make sure children of the age five years or below should snow tube with an adult, and also children below 12 should be actively watched while they snow tube.
How fast do you go when snow tubing?
The speed of your snow tube depends on several factors, but the average speed while snow tubing can be 15 to 20 MPH. However, if the hill is super straight and down, then the speed can reach up to 20 MPH.
The most important thing is that whenever you are sliding with your kids, you will need to control your tube properly and keep the speed at not more than 10 MPH. However, the descent speed is 15 to 20 MPH if you are snow tubing with teenagers or adults.
At what age can you go snow tubing?
Anyone can snow tube as there is no age limit for having fun on those slippery slopes with your tube.
However, children who are under the age of five should always be accompanied by an adult while snow tubing and children under the age of 12 should be actively observed while tubing.
Side by side, all riders must be above five years in order to ride the large runs, and the children aged 2 to 4 years should purchase the kiddie tubing sessions ticket.
Is snow tubing kid-friendly?
Snow tubing can be a great option if you want to spend some quality time outside in the winter, and it’s suitable for people of all skills and ages, particularly when you’re bringing babies and adolescents.
All you can do is to follow some easy safety and warmth measures to have a good time.
Therefore, it is really important to follow all the safety and caution guidelines in order to make snow tubing more fun as well as making them more kid-friendly.
Should kids wear helmets when snow tubing?
Preventing your children from head injuries while snow tubing, helmet is an important topic for parents to consider.
Wherever you go snow tubing, the very same question will arise because head injuries are more prevalent during snow tubing; you should always wear a helmet while tubing.
Many winter ski facilities allow you to choose whether or not to wear a helmet; however other parks require riders to wear one.
What gear is needed for snow tubing?
If you want to properly enjoy the experience of snow tubing, then you have to wear the appropriate clothes which are suggested by experts.
Although it doesn’t require a special clothing sense for snow tubing, you have to wear those layering clothes that will keep your body safe from hypothermia and accidents.
The base of your layers should be light, and it should have the capacity of absorbing water which will keep you warm even if you get wet. The second layer should be heavyweight as it will keep you safe from cuts and bruises.
Waterproof snow pants, warm hats, waterproof socks, goggles, and hiking boots or waterproof shoes are also required. Because of safety purposes, ski boots are usually forbidden.
Snow tubing can be an exciting winter sport in which people of all ages can participate. However, because of the high risk of head injury, it is also regarded as one of the most dangerous sports.
Although if you take proper precautions and safety measures, you will surely enjoy every moment of snow tubing.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is Snow Tubing a Good Exercise?