7 tilted trails for top-notch tubing

Ski if it suits you. Snowboard if you're into that sort of thing. But if, like us, you think the best way to appreciate a snow-covered hill is face-first in a snow tube, then this is the list for you.

Even though snow has been shy in Maine, most of the tubing areas make their own, which means the tubing goes on even if Mother Nature decides she just isn't into snowfall this season.

Even better, the areas supply the tubes, so there's deciding which of the kids has to hitchhike to the hill because the tubes take up too much car space. They all have lifts too, so you can "experience the thrill of sliding without that annoying walk back up the hill," as the folks at Hermon Mountain so rightly put it.

So, without further adieu:

Black Mountain, 39 Glover Road, Rumford.
364-8977 | www.skiblackmountain.org
$10 half day; $16 full day. Friday 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday noon to 4 and 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m. February vacation hours: Monday through Thursday noon to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Road, Camden
236-3438 | www.camdensnowbowl.com
$5 per hour. Weekends, holidays and February vacation, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check here for current conditions. If that isn't enough downhill for you, take it to the toboggan chute. $5 person per hour, their toboggan or yours.

Hermon Mountain, 441 Newburg Road, Hermon
848-5192 | skihermonmountain.com/tubing
$12 for three hours. Wednesday through Friday 3 to 6 and 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to noon, noon to 3, 3 to 6 and 6 to 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to noon, noon to 3 p.m. Also open Monday & Tuesday during vacation week. The 600-foot tubing run is servicecd by a lift - simply sit in your tube and ride up. "Experience the thrill of sliding without that annoying walk back up the hill."

Oxford Plains Snow Tubing, Route 26, Oxford
539-2454 | www.oxfordplains.com/tubing_2006.htm
$12 for one hour, $14 for two hours, $16 for three hours, $20 all day. Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during school vacation week. And yes, they've got a lift to tow you back up, plus a warming shack and outdoor concessions. They also make snow, so fret not. Bringing your own drinks and food is fine.

Seacoast Fun Park, 932 Roosevelt Trail, Windham
892-5952 | hseacoastfunparks.com/snowpark.asp
$17 for two or three or hour-hour block. Regular hours run Friday 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. During vacation week, the tubing is also open Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m.

Sugarloaf, 5092 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley
237-6939 | www.sugarloaf.com/EventsActivities/turbo_tubing.html
$8 per session. Monday, Wednesday & Saturday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sunday River, Sunday River Road, Newry
824-3000 | www.sundayriver.com/EventsActivities/White_Cap_Fun_Center.html
$10 per session. Open Friday and Staurday 5 to 9 p.m. Open 5 to 9 p.m. all week during vacation week. Now located on Sundance trail at South Ridge, accessed by the Magic Carpet.