LATHROP – There’s several inches of snow on the ground in Lathrop and it’s going to stay there until at least March.
It is all part of the most unusual and unlikely Central Valley winter attraction - snow tubing on manmade snow in Lathrop.
Dell’Osso Farms is gearing up for next Saturday’s opening of the snow hill. It isn’t your typical man-made snow hill either. The 30-foot high hill with a 200-foot drop and a 100-foot run is under a roof to protect tubers from rain and – in the rare event that Mother Nature joins in the fun – real snow. There also will be a people mover escalator that takes you back up the hill.
The zip line will also reopen next Saturday
Dell’Osso Farms reopens Saturday, Nov. 21, just three weeks after the 12th annual Pumpkin Maze lured a record 140,000 people. Six days later on Black Friday on the day after Thanksgiving the rest of the Holidays on the Farm attractions open.
Crews this past week have started spreading snow on the downhill portion while other workers put the finishing touches on the roof, people mover, and other last minute details. It will take close to two weeks to cover the hill, the 100-foot run as well as a separate 5,000-square-foot play area with the snow. The snow making machine will run non-stop until early March.
Daily snow tubing sessions start at 10 a.m. with the last getting underway at 8 p.m. The ticket is $15 for 90 minutes of tubing. Reservations can be made on-line by going to www.holidaysonthefarm.com or you can purchase onsite. There are, however, limited tickets that will be sold before each session making advance reservations the best way to go. Tubes are provided.
You must be 42 inches or taller to ride alone. Those between 36 inches and 42 inches must use the double tube with adults.
Sessions start at 10 a.m. and every two hours thereafter until the last session gets underway at 8 p.m.
There is also a snow play area that costs $5 for all day play on a first come, first served basis. You’ll be able to make a snowman and throw snowballs at the target plus whatever your imagination can come up with.
There are 500 scenes in a mile-long layout that are part of Lights on the Farm will open Friday, Nov. 27. It can be accessed by a hay ride that includes blankets and hot chocolate at $5 per person, driving through it in a car on weekdays for $10 or weekends for $12 or via the Dell’Osso Express for $3 per person.
Among the other attractions for the holidays are authentic reindeer; a general store designed for the holidays with gifts, fresh baked goods and other items for Christmas; and a Santa’s Hut complete with a couple imported from Iowa that have earned accolades for looking just like the real Santa and Mrs. Claus.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
It is all part of the most unusual and unlikely Central Valley winter attraction - snow tubing on manmade snow in Lathrop.
Dell’Osso Farms is gearing up for next Saturday’s opening of the snow hill. It isn’t your typical man-made snow hill either. The 30-foot high hill with a 200-foot drop and a 100-foot run is under a roof to protect tubers from rain and – in the rare event that Mother Nature joins in the fun – real snow. There also will be a people mover escalator that takes you back up the hill.
The zip line will also reopen next Saturday
Dell’Osso Farms reopens Saturday, Nov. 21, just three weeks after the 12th annual Pumpkin Maze lured a record 140,000 people. Six days later on Black Friday on the day after Thanksgiving the rest of the Holidays on the Farm attractions open.
Crews this past week have started spreading snow on the downhill portion while other workers put the finishing touches on the roof, people mover, and other last minute details. It will take close to two weeks to cover the hill, the 100-foot run as well as a separate 5,000-square-foot play area with the snow. The snow making machine will run non-stop until early March.
Daily snow tubing sessions start at 10 a.m. with the last getting underway at 8 p.m. The ticket is $15 for 90 minutes of tubing. Reservations can be made on-line by going to www.holidaysonthefarm.com or you can purchase onsite. There are, however, limited tickets that will be sold before each session making advance reservations the best way to go. Tubes are provided.
You must be 42 inches or taller to ride alone. Those between 36 inches and 42 inches must use the double tube with adults.
Sessions start at 10 a.m. and every two hours thereafter until the last session gets underway at 8 p.m.
There is also a snow play area that costs $5 for all day play on a first come, first served basis. You’ll be able to make a snowman and throw snowballs at the target plus whatever your imagination can come up with.
There are 500 scenes in a mile-long layout that are part of Lights on the Farm will open Friday, Nov. 27. It can be accessed by a hay ride that includes blankets and hot chocolate at $5 per person, driving through it in a car on weekdays for $10 or weekends for $12 or via the Dell’Osso Express for $3 per person.
Among the other attractions for the holidays are authentic reindeer; a general store designed for the holidays with gifts, fresh baked goods and other items for Christmas; and a Santa’s Hut complete with a couple imported from Iowa that have earned accolades for looking just like the real Santa and Mrs. Claus.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com