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Florida winter wonderland returns in 2024
FOX 13's Mike Hughes reports on Snowcat Ridge's yearly Winter Wonderland that is set to open for the season.
DADE CITY, Fla. - Looking for a winter wonderland that isn't too far from home? Snowcat Ridge in Dade City officially opens for the season on Friday.
Despite the state's tropical landscape, Snowcat Ridge brings a unique alpine snow park and gives visitors a chance to experience snow and winter activities without leaving Florida.
The park's centerpiece is a massive 60-foot-tall snow tubing hill with runs extending up to 400 feet, where families can zoom down on tubes while surrounded by snow.
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"So this year, what we really wanted to do was focus on what people said they enjoy most—the Christmas aspects of the park. So I said, ‘okay, let’s really do the Christmas thing,'" said Winston McDaniel with Snowcat Ridge.
Guests can also build snowmen, create snow angels and engage in snowball play inside the park's 10,000-square-foot Arctic Igloo. The facility also has cutting edge snow-making technology to maintain snowy conditions.
There's also a cozy lodge for guests to grab hot chocolate and winter treats.
"It’s just about really doubling down on what it means to spend family time here at Christmas," said McDaniel.
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In the evening, the slopes at Snowcat Ridge transform into a colorful LED light display, illuminating the snow and creating an unforgettable atmosphere for guests.
For more information on the park and its hours of operation, visit snowcatridge.com.
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