Snow, Snow, Snow in Atlanta! (Through Jan.25)

We went to the Arctic and the Hymalayas recently – without leaving metro Atlanta. Along the way, we did a little “ice” skating, sledding and tubing and got cozy by a firepit. My husband and I took our three girls ages 9, 9 and 11 to SnowWorld at Lanier Islands for the day. We arrived early afternoon with plans to sample all things winter before checking out the laser light show at the end of the evening.

We started in Arctic Gap, one of four Winter Attractions, and zipped down the Polar Plummet, which includes 13 lanes of tubing fun on a plastic track instead of snow. This was my favorite activity because it felt just like tubing on real snow without the wet mess.

While still in the Arctic Gap we visited the skating rink made of a plastic composite that simulates the surface of an ice rink. My 9-year-olds enjoyed testing their skating skills, but my 11-year-old got frustrated because it was more difficult than skating on real ice.

In the Himalayas, we sledded down the two fastest slides at SnowWorld. The sleds and helmets were provided, but you can bring your own helmets if you prefer. This was a favorite event for all three thrill-seeking girls.
The girls also slid down the enclosed slide at the Polar Vortex in Sunset City and loved spinning through the Vortex at the end. Then they played in some real snow at one of the three snow areas, while their Dad and I had refreshments and sat beside one of many firepits that overlook beautiful Lake Lanier.

On the way to our last stop, the girls took a break to have a snack and roast marshmallows from Icee Oasis. We all admired the lights on display along the shore of Lake Lanier. Our last sledding activity for the day was racing each other down the Wizard’s Chase.

A great place for awesome pizza and yummy pasta is Giannis Italian Pizzeria, along the boardwalk in Snowbird’s Paradise. SnowWorld has other food and beverage options including snacks and meals but prices tend to be a little high – bottled water is $3.25.

The SnowWorld activities are located alongside seasonal shopping opportunities and Rides and Games that are available for an extra cost. We enjoyed spending the day together as a family. SnowWorld has a great mixture of fun, exciting things to do and opportunities for quieter, more relaxed moments.

Tips: Be sure to dress for current weather conditions and temperatures and not for snow. The park didn’t begin to get crowded until later in the evening so we were able to take multiple trips on all of the rides in SnowWorld.

– Leigh Middleton

Another Snow Spot: Try Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park, open on select dates through Feb. 22. Find information at stonemountainpark.com.

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