Sledding Down Stone Mountain
January 31, 2010 by Sherri Smith Brown
Filed under Sherri Smith Brown, Travel
Last year, Fayette County experienced a couple inches of snowfall – enough for Brianna to build her first snowman. Now, she keeps asking me, “When is it going to snow again?” “When can I go sledding?” and “When can I build a snowman?” Well, I have a solution. How about a trip to Stone Mountain? Yes, only in this case, it’s called Snow Mountain.
Brianna's desire to build a better snowman than last year's backyard version is a good reason to head to Snow Mountain.
For the second year, Stone Mountain’s large lawn, where the laser shows are performed in the summer, has been transformed into Atlanta’s only snow park — Snow Mountain. Last year, in its inaugural season, the park had about 100,000 visitors enjoying the winter activities — and a number of complaints about slow lines. This year, Snow Mountain’s signature attraction, a 400-foot long tubing hill, has 12 tubing lanes, instead of 7, as well as an additional moving sidewalk to deliver tubers back to the top of the hill.
Besides the tubing, there is the SnowZone, which features play areas and activities. You can construct a fort, make a tower, or dig a tunnel in Igloo City; build your snow person in Snowman Valley; or pack a snowball and shoot it at flipping, spinning and turning targets at the Snowball Shooting Gallery. Snowflake Hill in the Little Angels play area is designed for people 48 inches and shorter. Toboggans are available for the little ones to go down smaller hills here.
The SnoDeck is a place to get something to drink and eat, and the SnoFire Point serves up a warm fire and some gooey s’mores.
Snow Mountain’s snow is created using a closed-loop system that chills water from Stone Mountain Lake, which is treated to a drinking standard. Once the snow melts, it is drained back into the lake. The park’s machines have the capacity to spit out 240 tons of icy, rather than powdery, snow per day, even if temperatures rise into the 80s.
Snow Mountain will be open on weekends and holidays through March 7. Tickets are sold in two-hour sessions, and advance tickets are recommended to make the most out of your allotted session. Snow Mountain is open to all ages, although you must be at least 42 inches tall to be admitted to the tubing hill.
You’ll find lots of tips for your visit to Snow Mountain on the attraction’s website. Here are a few:
Tubing at Snow Mountain is a great thrill and a fantastic view of the Stone Mountain Park's famous carving.
- Tickets for the tubing hill are sold in two-hour sessions with new sessions starting every hour, but access to the two play areas is not timed.
- Only Stone Mountain-owned equipment is allowed, and remember, tube-riders must be at least 42 inches tall.
- The Little Angels play area is designed for children 3 and younger. There is no minimum height to play there, but there is a maximum of 48 inches.
- The SnowZone area provides shovels and toys as well as hats, scarves and other snowman accessories.
- Dress in layers, and wear snow boots, hats, gloves and a water-resistant outer layer. Consider bringing a change of clothes along. Locker rentals are available.
- It is recommended that you purchase tickets online before arriving at the park. Bring a confirmation number of your purchase and credit card used for the transaction with you. It is best to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of your scheduled session.
Read more of Sherri’s travel adventures on the Brown’s Guides website.
Sherri Smith Brown is a writer, who has co-authored several guidebooks to Georgia with her husband; a mother; a grandmother; and a long time Fayette County resident. She also writes a blog about Georgia Family Vacations for BrownsGuides.com.