Gatlinburg is a resort town that is located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Open between December and March, Ober Gatlinburg is the ski resort within this tourist destination, three miles from downtown. It’s the only ski resort in Tennessee. You can reach Ober via Ski Mountain Road or take the two-mile scenic route on the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. The latter departs every 20 minutes and brings you right to the top of Mount Harrison.
This mountain community excels in its approach to sincere hospitality, comfortable accommodations, and sensible pricing. Established during the 2009/2010 season, the Ober Gatlinburg Freestyle Terrain (OGFT) grows every year. Specific recent improvements to OGFT include the addition of a 24-foot double barrel flat rail, a 24-foot flat box and a 10-foot pole jam. Annual enhancements for the whole resort include the expansion of snowmaking capabilities and improvement of building techniques.
The resort has nine ski trails. These are maintained diligently with state-of-the-art snow grooming equipment to provide skiers with smooth and consistent surfaces to make their experience more enjoyable. Two quads, one double and a surface lift service the trails. If you don’t have any skis, that’s not a problem because Gatlinburg has a skiing equipment rental shop.
All skill levels from absolute beginner to seasoned veterans will find Ober Gatlinburg the perfect destination for a winter vacation. For first-time skiers, beginner lessons are mandatory. If you have experience but are feeling a bit rusty on the slopes, certified ski instructors will gladly help you get back into the swing of things with a refresher course. If you’re ready to step it up, take one of the more advanced courses before taking on the more challenging slopes. You can choose group or private lessons.
Anyone new to skiing should start out on the Ski School slope and Cub Way. Intermediates will enjoy the Alpine Run, Bear Run, Castle Run and Ober Chute. Advanced skiers will appreciate the challenges of Mogul Ridge and Grizzly Trail. Each slope has its own characteristics. Since they’re spread across the mountainous terrain, the slopes are spacious and not congested. The intermediate ones range in length from 1,100 feet to 4,400 feet. Since all of the slopes are lit, the fun doesn’t stop when daylight ends.
With thousands of shops and restaurants and an active nightlife scene, Ober Gatlinburg also has some of the best après–ski options.