Snow tubing returns to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark with increased length and slope 

Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is officially a winter wonderland. The field is covered, nearly 25,000 feet of Christmas lights are strung, cocoa is brewing, Santa penciled appearances into his calendar and ballpark elves recently completed a new, longer, faster snow tubing run.

LifeShare WinterFest at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, launched last weekend and slides to a stop on New Year’s Day. There’s plenty for non-sliding folks to enjoy, too, including holiday lighting, hot chocolate, Santa and his workshop, a holiday train and more.

Last year, 17,500 people enjoyed 85 sessions lasting 90 minutes each during the 20-day event, said Alex Freedman, Oklahoma City Dodgers director of media relations and broadcasting.

Improvements and additions

“This year, we have increased the length of the slide, and we’ve increased its pitch and slope,” Freedman said. “The location of the slide has moved slightly, too, and we’ve streamlined the entry points.”

The main slide is now three lanes wide and 145 feet long. That’s more than 3,000 square feet of slippery, snowy fun. Guests must be at least 42 inches tall to ride the main slide, Freedman said.

A youth slide is 74 feet long. New snow is constantly being blown, with a constant base layer of two to three inches on the slopes.

In years past, the slides had separate entrances. Now, the whole thing has more lanes and the youth entrance is at a lower point on the main slide.

For safety’s sake, the one-person-per tube rule still applies and adults cannot ride the youth slide, Freedman said.

“But one parent can be stationed at the top of the slide and the other at the bottom,” he said.

Measures have also been taken against the occasional bare spots on the slopes that appear on warmer days, thwarting the tubing experience.

“We found that it was harder to operate the slides in warmer weather, yet that’s when more people wanted to come out,” Freedman said. “The surface under the snow was made of wood, but this year, it’s been improved. It is now a synthetic carpet that is slick. Worst case, you can slide on the carpet alone.”

Food and drink

The concessions area sells food and drinks during WinterFest events, including adult-friendly cocktails like the ginger martini (vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, and Baileys Irish Cream topped with whipped cream and gingerbread), The Poinsettia (vodka, champagne and cranberry juice), spiked Holly Jolly Cider and the Nutcracker (Kahlúa, amaretto, Baileys, Grand Marnier, whipped cream and graham cracker).

Hours and entry

The ticket booth opens an hour before the day’s first session, and please note that workers can accept cash or credit only.

Tubing tickets are $14 per 90-minute session and include entry to related WinterFest events. Non-tubing WinterFest tickets are $3. LifeShare WinterFest runs noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 1. The venue is closed Christmas Day. Those who buy tickets online can pick up wristbands at the will-call office located on the west side of the ballpark.

Learn more at downtownindecember.com/lifeshare-winterfest.

Print headline: Slippery slope, LifeShare WinterFest guests slide into the holiday season with snow tubing at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.