Snow in Florida at Snowcat Ridge

Snowcat Ridge is a great concept and gives Florida a taste of Winter.  We saw families, couples, and groups of friends, and all seemed to be happy.  Especially the little children.  The joy and excitement could be felt in the cool air at Snowcat Ridge.  The enthusiasm could be heard through the park.  My favorite was the multiple fire pits.  We even saw a group of about 15-20 sitting around the fire singing camp songs.  That warmed my heart!

What is Snowcat Ridge?

Snowcat Ridge is a new theme park in Florida.  It is located in Dade City, FL roughly 40 miles North of Tampa and 65 miles West of Orlando, Florida.  The park features a variety of alpine-style snow tube courses.  The slopes are made of ice and snow and are all 60-foot tall and 400-foot long.  Riders have 3 snow tube options.  You may ride in a single, tandem, or family-style snow tube (groups of 4 to 10 people). 

The really cool thing is that you may choose single, double, or family and change or change back at any time.  Riders are transported to the top of the hill by a pair of Magic Carpet conveyor lifts, so you don’t have to walk and it goes faster.  The park offers 2 types of passes.  A general admission pass is good for a 2-hour snow tube session.  Riders may also choose an Unlimited All-Day pass.

The really cool thing is that you may choose single, double, or family and change or change back at any time.  Riders are transported to the top of the hill by a pair of Magic Carpet conveyor lifts, so you don’t have to walk and it goes faster.  The park offers 2 types of passes.  A general admission pass is good for a 2-hour snow tube session.  Riders may also choose an Unlimited All-Day pass.

What’s included in the ticket?

The price of your Snowcat Ridge admission includes tubing, Alpine Village, and the Arctic Igloo. Parking is extra. All tubing equipment is provided by Snowcat Ridge.  Riders also gain use of the Alpine Village which is a series of shops, food and beverage trucks.  The Alpine Village also overlooks the snow tub slopes.  Proving an excellent place to take photos of those snow tubing or if you want the slopes as a backdrop for your selfie.

The Alpine Village at Snowcat Ridge also has multiple seating areas, picnic tables as well as outdoor fire pits to keep warm or roast marshmallows.  Last but certainly not least Snowcat Ridge offers the Arctic Igloo.  The Arctic Igloo is an indoor play area chilled and filled with snow.  It is here where you can build a snowman, make snow angels or use the bunny slopes if you are 3 are younger. (or less than 42 inches tall). The temperature inside the igloo is around 30 degrees.

What should you wear?

All riders at Snowcat Ridge must wear appropriate clothing. Although the snow may be man-made it is real snow!  The snow is cold, wet, and slippery. Dress warm, you can always take clothes off if you are warm.  It is recommended that you dress in layers. We wore waterproof/water-resistant gloves and boots.  If you don’t own Winter clothing, I have some good news. Snowcat Ridge sells hats, gloves and jackets.

What they did well?

Safety

Never at any time did I feel the snow tubing was unsafe!

Snowcat Ridge is organized well. The park is ordinarily.  Lines are defined and safety instructions are clear.

People behaved well.  The wearing of masks is mandatory Due to COVID-19 while snow tubing and in all common areas unless eating or drinking.

Evening Light Show

The light show was entertaining.  A variety of lights and patterns made it interesting and gave different colors to the slopes.  

Photo Opportunities

Snowcat Ridge has some really good areas for selfies as well as large group shots.  The Park did a good job spreading them throughout the park.

Parking 

Snowcat Ridge has plenty of parking as well as parking attendants.  There is good lighting in the parking area. Parking attendants are there to assist you as well as provide some security.

What needs improvement?

Bathrooms 

Snowcat Ridge definitely needs more permanent bathrooms.  They had Porta Potties instead of the bathroom. Only 1 sink was working to wash your hands. 

Food Choices 

They need more choices in food. Better variety would help.  What they currently have is fine, but a few more choices would have made it nice.  My group ate before and after we left Snowcat Ridge.

My Wish List for Snowcat Ridge

If I was responsible for the future plans of Snowcat Ridge I would add 2 things over the next 2 years.  I would start with a Snow Mobile Track around the outside of the Park.  I think snowmobiles would add an exciting dimension that would make Snowcat Ridge a “must-do activity!  If you make it a “must-do” activity then you might as well take the next step and make it a destination.  I would partner with a Hotel, Resort, Vacation Club, or Timeshare to create some kind of lodging.  Then you would have the beginnings of a great vacation.  Maybe an RV Park or RV Parking in the meantime.  

If you are looking for a change of pace in Florida then Snowcat Ridge will give you a taste of Winter.  The park offers snow tubing, shopping, food, and beverage as well as an inside snow retreat to play in the snow or to make a snowman.  The park is perfect for all ages.  Snowcat Ridge is good for families, couples, and group outings.  Do something different in Florida and visit Snowcat Ridge in Dade City, FL.

Snowcat Ridge 

27839 Saint Joe Rd.

Dade City, FL 33525

Phone: (813) 576-1450

Website: http://www.snowcatridge.com

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