Christian Ranch offers wonderland of snow tubing
Published 6:41 am Monday, January 4, 2010
Bring warm clothes, boots and hot chocolate mix. Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch provides the rest.
The Stewartville ranch, located roughly 29 miles northeast of Austin, offers snow tubing at three hills in the winter — and even keeps hot water on in the warming house for cold tubers to mix hot drinks.
“We’ve been busy in a good way this season,” office manager Mary Ann Schultz said. “We’ve had lots of people come out, and we haven’t had to use the snow making machine much… We used it a bit early on, and then God sent the good stuff.”
Heavy snow came in time for New Year’s weekend, and brought visitors from as far as Arizona, Texas and Florida, Schultz said.
“People stop by when they are visiting the state. It’s especially popular for parents whose kids have never seen snow,” she said.
The ranch has cabins and a new Miracle Lodge that are rented out for large events and families year-round.
Tubing is scheduled in two-hour increments for groups of any size. So, all visitors must call ahead. The hills are typically open Friday evening through Sunday, but Schultz said they usually open up on weekdays when requested.
The ranch has a bunny hill, a medium hill, a steep hill and a chalet.
Tubing is $12, and there are discounts available for groups of more than 75.
The ranch offers their annual tubing and pancake supper on Presidents Day, Feb. 15, for a free-will donation. Each year the proceeds benefit a different project at the non-profit ranch.
Shultz said there are few rules at the hill: Have fun, dress warm and no more than six tubers to a string.
“We keep it real safe. Of course, any time you are out in the elements you have to use precaution though,” she said.
Call 533-4315 to make a tubing reservation. Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch is located at 7291 County Road 6 SW in Stewartville.
Snow Tubing
Cost: $12
Duration: 2 hours per session
Hours: Typically Friday evening through Sunday, but requests are usually accommodated
Private Groups: With 40 people or more, or a donation for this amount, the hill can be reserved
Equipment: Ironwood provides the tubes, warming house, tow rope, and lights.
Bring: Snacks, hot cocoa mix, cups and warm clothes