Alpine Springs in Lake Tekapo has recently opened the country’s first summer tubing facility at the Alpine Springs Hot Pools and Day Spa complex on the shores of Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Country.
Riders use the winter snow tubes, but the base of the tubes are reinforced for use on the artificial matting. There is an existing Magic Carpet conveyor lift to take people quickly up to the top of the 150 metre slope.
The facility has been installed on the winter snow tube park on the lower slopes of Mount John. It uses synthetic carpet with the same slippery properties as snow, and curves, corners and slopes on the thrilling ride-on-gravity.
Cathy Hemsworth, Business Development Manager for Alpine Springs, said summer tubing had proved so popular in Europe and North America that 500 facilities had been installed in just a few years.
“It’s become a real craze and we’re delighted to be the first in New Zealand to offer such a great summer adventure ride that’s safe for all the family. They are incredibly popular in Europe where they’re operating in urban and rural settings,” Cathy tells us.
“The summer tube experience will add to the roller and blade skating attractions and the three hot pools we offer, . I’m sure it’ll be a very popular combo for families here and there will be a lot of younger people who will want to tube and talk about it on their social networks.”
“Tubers get the thrills and spills of an exciting downhill ride in a safe environment, and as operators, it means we can use the same slope and conveyor lift for both winter and summer rides.”
