TCH News

Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Entertainment

Cold was the theme of the day on Sunday, February 17, but that wasn't stopping the hundreds of snow tubing fans from enjoying the sport. Fernwood Resort in Bushkill has the steepest snow tubing hill in all of the Poconos so all thrill seeking snow tubers gather there every season for some fast descents in the snow.

The snow tubing season begins around Christmas and goes until some time in March, weather dependant. Fernwood's snow is all natural, so in order to be able to blow snow the temperature has to be around 28 degrees. Weather totally dictates when the season begins and when it ends each year.

Radio station Max 106.3 visits Fernwood's Winter Fun Center a few times each winter. They advertise the snow tubing fun at Fernwood on the radio quite a bit which helps to bring the winter sports fans to the resort.

DJ Rob Ryan was on hand for one of the busiest snow tubing days at Fernwood during President's Day weekend. "For the last couple of years we have been coming here. This is our last visit this season," Ryan said.

With the larger than expected crowd on Sunday, the Max 106.3 snow tubing races were canceled. "This year has had such a great turnout every time we have been here. It seems much busier this year," Ryan explained. More and more locals are getting in on the fun that Fernwood has to offer this year.

"This week represents a third of the business for winter sports. It is unbelievable," Greg Huffman, Assistant General Manager explained. Many guests are from neighboring states such as NJ and NY and come back again and again for the fun.
Ryan tried to help the back of the line crowd to pass the time with trivia questions and prizes. With the chill in the air and the longer than usual wait, guests enjoyed the distraction that Ryan supplied. Music from 106.3 created an atmosphere that was sure to please every cold person out there.

When visiting the Winter Fun Center at Fernwood, guests must fill out a release form before being allowed to snow tube. Guests must be 42 inches or taller to be eligible to snow tube down the main hill and family tubing hill. Guests under 42 inches are allowed to slide down the tiny tots hill so they can enjoy some action as well.

Guests are given two hours to snow tube and that time starts on the hour each hour. Tickets are worn on snow tubers' coats signifying their time paid for. "The time limit helps us rotate a little for optimum runs," Noelle Keller, Recreation Manager explained.

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