Tubing starts Saturday at Boyce Park with Santa Ski Day

The Boyce Park snow tubing area in Plum will open for the season Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with a 30-inch snow base on what’s considered the “steepest snow tubing hill in Western Pennsylvania” by Allegheny County Parks.

The snow tubing area will operate through mid-March, weather and conditions permitting.

Santa Ski Day also kicks in on Saturday from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Skiers and snowboarders dressed in Santa suits who donate $10 to the Boyce Park Ski Patrol can ski for free. No Santa Suit? No worries. Santa suits will be available for purchase at the door for $20.

Boyce Park opened for skiing and snowboarding last weekend.

Public two-hour snow tubing sessions are offered Fridays at 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays 9:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.

Tubing fees and details:

-Snow tubing tickets may be purchased in advance at www.alleghenycounty.us/parkprograms for Saturday and Sunday sessions, as well as holidays and Winter Break sessions.

- Advance tickets for tubing cost a flat rate of $17 for county residents and $21 for non-residents. Snow tubers can buy tickets in person at the lodge for all sessions at the beginning of each day.

-Private group snow tubing is available Monday-Thursday (four-hour maximum session), as well as Friday during closed hours, with seven-day advanced notice by calling 724-733-4656. The cost is $500 for groups of up to 50 participants. For groups of more than 50, the standard tubing group rates apply. Private group snow tubing is not available during winter break or on holidays.

-Discounted snow tubing rates are available for groups of 15 or more during Friday public sessions. Groups must call 724-733-4656 at least 24 hours in advance to secure a discounted rate.

For more information and to check snow conditions, visit www.skiboyce.com or call 724-733-4656 during operating hours.

For additional information about Santa Ski Day and other holiday events in the Allegheny County Parks, visit the county website at www.alleghenycounty.us/specialevents.