too young for tubing?

I know some people are pretty gung-ho about getting their babies/toddlers on the snow, but I tend toward cautious so forgive me if this is a silly question.

Is 20 months old an appropriate age to take your kid to a lift served tubing center (Summit's)?  I've actually never been tubing and haven't ever even looked at the facility.  I'm assuming I'll need to double with my girl.  Is there enough inherent danger (like my 210lbs vs her 30lbs at whatever tubing speed is + likelihood of randoms doing something stupid - helmet ...).

Or is it basically crash-proof so no need to worry?  The Summit allows kids under 3 but recommends against it -- is this just the insurance company lawyer talking?  And will tubing hold a waddler's attention for an hour or so?

please save the typical "we all assess our level of risk to reward" equivocation.  Given that we all know that, is tubing a reasonably  safe choice for a 1.5 year old?

. . . 20 months old . . . her 30lbs . . .

I did a double take a few seconds after reading that -- I'd never heard of anyone that age being that large (sorry). So I looked up the growth chart and was quite surprised:



I never knew that babies grew so quickly by 1.5 years old! Since your daughter is at about the 95th percentile for 20-month-olds, and the same size as an average 3-year old, it would appear that she reasonably fits the Summit's tubing recommendation for kids to be age 3 and up.

Obviously, you're seeking much better advice, from someone who is actually a parent, unlike me. But maybe this info will stave off criticism from some who might otherwise insist that she's too young and that you're making a risky choice.

Anything that is organized, will always be a little chaotic, with a tot.
I would lean a little more towards a picnic and some plastic sled action.
snowballs,snow angels, and ramen noodles
And as soon as the girls get back from dance, were going to reggies ski lift
I can't wait the car is loaded.

yeah she's very tall and strong Amar -- maybe 29lbs to be precise, and 35 inches tall. Her middle of the curve adult height over/under is 5'10". Doesn't look like a 3 y/o though -- still has the proportions of early toddler stage, including the big head size to body ratio that makes them so good a injuring themselves.

Thanks for the input Weezer - enjoy your family time!

I'm curious to know as well.  I have a 19 mo. and hadn't really thought of it but it does sound like it could be fun!

Adults have sustained serious injuries, or died from injuries sustained while snow tubing.

www.topix.com/forum/county/richland-oh/TTR8986N76OL51VC4

That said, I think very low speed tubing would be safe. I'm not sure what constitutes "low speed". Perhaps the resident physicist ( Paging Amar! ) could provide some reasonable guestimates based on your and your daughter's mass?