Snowcat Ridge: Florida’s Only Snow Park

Snowcat Ridge

It’s really snowing in Florida! Sled down a 60-foot tall tubing hill, build a snowman, and glide across the ice at Snowcat Ridge, Florida’s only snow park. Our family was invited to attend a media event at Snowcat Ridge where we were transported to an Alpine village in the middle of Dade City, Florida. If you’re a native Floridian with a bucket list goal to see snow, this winter wonderland experience comes pretty close to the real deal! Having just moved to Florida from Michigan, we weren’t sure we would see snow this holiday season. Not only did we get to play in the snow, we went ice skating, sledding and sat around the fire to warm our hands.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices start at $27.95 and go up depending on the day you choose to visit. Advance ticket purchases are highly recommended as they do sell out. Save $5 per ticket by purchasing online.

General Admission

General admission tickets includes a 2-hour snow tubing session on Snowy Slopes and all-day access to the Arctic Igloo, Alpine Village and Crystal Ribbon until park closing. Ice skate rental not included. Children under 2 are free.

Unlimited Tubing

The General Admission + Unlimited Snow Tubing Includes unlimited tubing on Snowy Slopes and all-day access to the Arctic Igloo, Alpine Village and Crystal Ribbon until park closing. Ice skate rental not included. Children under 2 are free.

Parking

Parking is not included in your ticket price and will cost an additional $15 per vehicle.

Skate Rental

All-day skate rental is $9.95 per person, or you may bring your own ice skates! Skates are available in size child 9 through adult 15. Helmets are also available to rent for $5.95 and skate training aids are $9.95. I highly recommend the training aids for young kids. They’re easy to push or ride on.

Add-ons

While there are plenty of igloo style pavilions with tables and fire pits with chairs set up throughout the park, you can also rent a private igloo with extra amenities. Dining packages are also available (more about that later).

Location

Snowcat Ridge
27839 Saint Joe Rd.
Dade City, FL 33525

Snowcat Ridge is conveniently located at the TreeHoppers facility just north of Tampa off of I-75, exit #285:

• Take I-75 to exit #285
• Go west 2 miles and take a right at Bellamy Brothers Blvd
• Continue 3.5 miles and take a right on Saint Joe Road
• Continue 500 feet to the facility

Arctic Igloo: Play in the Snow!

The Arctic Igloo features real snow and is included in your general admission ticket! Throw a snowball at the target area, make a snow angel or build a snowman. There is a Bunny Slope for riders under 42″ tall designed especially for children 3 years old and younger.

The Crystal Ribbon: Ice Skating

Nothing says “winter wonderland” like ice skating! Enjoy skating on the real ice, even during a warm Florida night. The Crystal Ribbon is an outdoor ice skating ribbon. All-day skating is included in your general admission price, but skate rental is an additional fee. You can bring your own skates or rent them. Skating is open to anyone age 2 and up. Helmets and training aids are available to rent as well.

Snow Tubing

Snowy Slopes is a 60-foot tall, 400-foot long snow tubing hill featuring single, tandem, and 10-person snow tubing. There is a moving walkway that transports riders and their tubes up to the top!

Each General Admission ticket includes a 2-hour snow tubing session, while the Unlimited Snow Tubing Upgrade includes all-day snow tubing until park closing. A General Admission ticket is required for all guests 2 years old and older. Riders may alternate between single, tandem, and 10-person tubing throughout their session.

Height and Weight Requirements

All Tubes

All riders must be able to hold on to their tube’s safety handles and tuck their legs into their tube. The top of Snowy Slopes is not accessible by wheelchair. Riders must wear closed toe shoes.

Single Tubes

Single tubes – Riders must be at least 42″ tall and weigh no more than 300 pounds. Riders must be at least 6 years old.

Tandem Tubes

Both riders must be at least 42″ tall. The combined weight of both riders must not exceed 400 pounds. The rear rider must be at least 12 years old and the front rider must be at least 4 years old.

10-Person Tubes

Riders must be at least 32″ tall and each weigh no more than 300 pounds. Riders must be at least 2 years old. 10-Person snow tubes have a minimum capacity of 8 riders and a maximum capacity of 10 riders. Smaller groups of riders will be combined with other groups to maximize 10-person snow tube capacity and minimize wait times.

Alpine Village: Dining

The Alpine Village features a great collection of in-house food trucks and vendors with a variety of snacks, desserts and meals. Purchase individual items or purchase the Snowcat Dining Plan!

The Snowcat Dining Plan

The Snowcat Dining Plan allows you to pre-pay for your meal when you purchase your tickets online. You can bundle your park tickets with your meal purchase and make your dining selection upon arrival to the Alpine Village Food Court. There are two options available: Plan 1 and Plan 2. Plan 1 includes your choice of entrée and one non-alcoholic beverage for $15.95. Plan 2 includes your choice of entrée and one alcoholic beverage for $21.95.

Food trucks and vendor at the Alpine Village include:

• Oh My Grill: features savory gourmet burgers, pulled pork, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, and french fries. Oh My Grill! starts serving at 9:00am. See the menu here.
• Wild Pines Fresh Pizza: features New York style pizza, sold by the slice or by the entire pie. Wild Pines Pizza starts serving at 10:30am. See the menu here.
• Vato’s Tacos: features delicious tacos, nachos, quesadilla, and churro options. Vato’s Tacos starts serving at 10:30am. See the menu here.
• Sunkissed Sweets: features the s’mores campfire funnel cake fries, soft serve ice cream, and s’mores kits. Sunkissed Sweets starts serving at 10:30am. See the menu here.
• Decadent Drinks: features deluxe hot chocolate, Kahwa coffee, flavored lattes, brewed tea, and cold beverages.
• Biergarten Craft Beer: features a rotating assortment of craft beer, including seasonal brews.
• Slices and Co: features BBQ chicken pizza and New York style pizza, sold by the slice or by the entire pie. Slices & Co. starts serving at 10:30am. See the menu here.
• Refreshers: features an assortment of bottled and canned non-alcoholic drinks, as well as beer and wine.

What to Wear

Remember the snow at Snowcat Ridge is real. It will get cold and slippery. While skating or tubing outside may not be as cold, the temperature inside the Arctic Igloo hovers around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. I recommend layering in warm, water-resistant clothes. Closed toes shoes are required on Snowy Slopes and in the Arctic Igloo. Socks are required to rent ice skates at the Crystal Ribbon. Snowcat Ridge sells winter essentials you may not own like gloves and hats. They also have socks available to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are there lockers available?
A: All-day locker rental is available for $5. Lockers measure 12″ wide, 15″ deep, and 24″ tall. Lockers are first come, first serve. Visit the customer service desk upon arrival to rent your locker for the day.

Q: Are there picnic tables available?
A: Yes, there are several tables available at a first-come first-serve basis.

Q: Is outside food and drinks allowed?
A: No, outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Q: If I purchase a general admission ticket for a specific time slot, do I have to come at that exact time? Can I come early or change my time?
A: The time slot on your general admission ticket is your lift ticket for the Snowy Slopes. You are welcome to go early to enjoy other areas of the park, but you can only tube during the specific time slot you purchase. Tickets are transferable up to 24 hours before your scheduled time slot and are subject to an added fee.

Q: Does Snowcat Ridge close during rain or storms?
A: Snowcat Ridge will remain open during rain. They do not offer refunds or rain checks. If the management decides to close for severe weather, they will offer a full refund.

Q: I just want to walk around, I don’t want to ice skate or tube, do I still have to pay?
A: Yes, everyone age 2 and up must pay the general admission price to enter.

Q: Is the snow and ice real?
A: Yes! The snow and ice at Snowcat Ridge are all real!

Q: Is the facility wheelchair accessible?
A: The Snowy Slopes are not accessible, but the Crystal Ribbon ice skating rink, Arctic Igloo, Alpine Village, and Eskimo Outpost are.

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