Tubing at Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre

Whilst on a spa break at the Hallmark Hotel and Spa in Gloucester with my friend Joy (who you can find blogging as PinkOddy), we had the spontaneous urge to try tubing. Having just discovered that our hotel was opposite Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre, we thought we’d check out what they have to offer and make a last minute booking for a sport we’d never tried before.

We were thrilled to find out that they could fit us in for a half hour tubing session in the morning and very impressed with the price. We paid just £11 each for half an hour’s tubing and the centre had just got brand new tubes in too.

Tubing is basically sitting in an inflatable tube and being pushed down a ski slope… and yes… it’s as fun as it sounds!

It’s recommended that you wear long trousers, long sleeves and gloves for tubing, and due to it being a cold British December, that was fine by us!

We were greeted in a very clean and tidy centre, by friendly and welcoming staff. We were introduced to our instructor Lee, and he gave us a quick safety briefing before taking us up the slope.

There are different ways of going down the slope…

Forwards
Backwards
Spinning
Tandem

We gave them all a go and you can see how we got on here on this short video I made (some footage was filmed by Joy, but she very kindly let me use her clips in with my own):

You do need to be quite fit for tubing, as you have to carry your tube up the slope each time. Your instructor stays with you at all times and I felt very safe for the duration. I personally loved the adrenaline rush it gave me and the endless giggles that it provoked before, during and even after our tubing experience. Ladies – take spare mascara though, as you can get a wet face if you finish your slide under one of the sprinklers!

Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre offer tubing parties too – for both children and adults. I’m considering this as an idea for my oldest daughter’s 9th birthday in May, as I think she’d love it. I also thought this venue was great as it had a fully licensed bar, (called the T-Bar) to unwind in after all that excitement. Whether you fancied a bag of crisps and a hot chocolate or a hot meal and a pint, there was a big selection of hot and cold food and drinks and all at very reasonable prices too.

I’ve never actually tried skiing, but tubing here has made me want to go back and try skiing at a later date, as the prices are really good value for money, it’s not far to travel, and the instructors were so friendly.

I’d highly recommend tubing for anyone who is feeling adventurous and up for a good laugh.