Snowcat Ridge, Florida's first snow park, delays opening

Visitors slide down the snowy slopes at Snowcat Ridge, Florida's first snow park, near Dade City on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) — Visitors slide down the snowy slopes at Snowcat Ridge, Florida’s first snow park, near Dade City on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

By Patrick Connolly | pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com | Orlando Sentinel

PUBLISHED: November 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. | UPDATED: November 8, 2023 at 3:47 p.m.

Snowcat Ridge, which made headlines when it opened as Florida’s first snow park in 2020, returns this winter season for its fourth year of northern-inspired fun — but not as soon as the attraction anticipated.

Citing supply chain delays that have prevented the completion of the park’s new restroom facilities, Snowcat Ridge pushed back its opening date from Nov. 17 to Dec. 3. Guests who purchased tickets for dates before Dec. 3 will receive a full refund, according to a statement from the attraction.

The Dade City park provides family and friends the opportunity to slide down a 60-foot tall, 400-foot long snow tubing hill or play inside a 10,000-square-foot Arctic Igloo. At the bottom of the slopes is an Alpine Village with food, drinks, shopping and bonfires for warming up.

Visitors get ready to slide down the snowy slopes at Snowcat Ridge, Florida's first snow park, near Dade City on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. — Visitors get ready to slide down the snowy slopes at Snowcat Ridge, Florida’s first snow park, near Dade City on Nov. 20, 2020.

Since the attraction opened for its first season three years ago, Snowcat Ridge has added an outdoor ice skating ribbon and Eskimo Outpost with private igloo rentals. Santa’s Christmas Lane is new for this year, featuring meet and greets at Santa’s Cozy Cabin, story time with Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Gift Shoppe and the Peppermint Play Zone for visitors ages 7 and younger.

The snowy wonderland, which is about 90 minutes from Orlando and 40 minutes from Tampa, plans to welcome guests on select dates through Feb. 25.

Online advance tickets start at $26.95-$39.95, depending on the date and time of year, getting more expensive close to the holidays. A general admission ticket includes all-day access to attractions and two hours of tubing; upgrade packages are also available. Standard parking costs $14.95 online.

Snowcat Ridge CEO Benjamin Nagengast previously said the slopes, made from real snow and ice, ran on “two parts magic, one part water.” Nagengast also oversees the seasonal Scream-A-Geddon haunted attraction and TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park.