The Ultimate Guide to Ober Mountain in Gatlinburg
DATE : March 21, 2023
Ober Mountain has been a top Gatlinburg destination over the last few decades. Time has brought several changes to the popular ski resort, including a major rebrand after being sold to Sevier County natives! The new owners are working hard to make sure the resort is known for more than snowsports by adding new attractions over the next few years. We want to share all about this Gatlinburg attraction, including the anticipated changes!
Snowsports
Winter is the busiest time at Ober Mountain and with good reason! It's one of the only ski resorts in Tennessee, and people come from around the world to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are seasonal activities you can enjoy at this adventure park. The ski season at Ober typically starts in mid December and runs through mid March. The exact opening and closing dates depend on weather, so you’ll want to keep up with their announcements through social media or their website. There are 10 runs and 2 quad lifts, and the difficulty includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced. If you’ve never done these snowsports before, you can take lessons before you head out.
Snow Tubing
Snow tubing is more predictable than skiing and snowboarding at Ober. It starts on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs through the whole month of March. There are 8 lanes completely covered in snow, and riders will have a blast flying down the 50-foot lanes. Just be aware that snow tubing tickets sell out quickly, so purchase your tickets ASAP!
Popular Attractions
Ober Mountain may be Tennessee’s #1 ski resort, but that’s not the only fun thing there is to do here! Throughout the rest of the year, there are plenty of other activities your crew will want to try.
Alpine Slide
An iconic symbol of Ober is the alpine slide. It premiered in 1976, making it one of the nostalgic experiences at the adventure park. Riders will hop aboard the scenic chairlift and get off at the halfway point. You’ll get into the sled-like cart, and control it with the push/pull lever as you fly down the mountainside!
Aerial Tramway
Ober Mountain is also known for the Aerial Tramway. You can board the tram from downtown Gatlinburg or at the resort itself. Riders will enjoy a 2-mile ride with breathtaking views of the Smokies all along the way!
Ice Skating
You may think ice skating is only a winter activity, but that’s not true at Ober! The skating rink is indoors, so you can get out on the ice any time of the year. The rink is also used for ice bumper cars!
Other Fun Things to Do
Here is a list of the other fun things to do at Ober Mountain:
- Wildlife Encounter
- Ski Mountain Coaster
- Scenic Chairlift
- Guided Hiking Trails
- Rock Climbing Wall
- Chair Swings
- Summer Tubing
- Carousel
New Attractions Coming
When Ober Mountain was sold, the new owners teased some of the changes coming to the Gatlinburg attraction.
Restaurant Renovations
The Ski Lodge and Seasons of Ober Restaurant were one of the first updates. With a more casual vibe, these areas feel like a fun place to hang out in between runs and activities. The entire area has a mid-century modern touch with the signature dark blue and yellow colors Ober is known for.
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Mountain Biking
One of the attractions the owners announced was mountain biking! The plans include creating trails on the mountainside where patrons can bike through the woods along unique terrain. This area is slated to open in spring 2023.
Some of the other attractions that they are planning on adding to Ober include a zipline, more hiking trails, and an ATV course.
Ober Mountain is an exciting place to visit while you’re in town! From skiing in the winter to hill tubing in the summer, this attraction offers the Gatlinburg area so much! Ready to visit Ober on your next trip? Start planning your getaway today by looking through our Gatlinburg hotel rooms, then plan your day at Ober Mountain!
