How to Go Skiing in Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Schedule a winter vacation trip to Ober Gatlinburg in Tennessee for magnificent skiing on the slopes of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ober Gatlinburg has a summit elevation of 3,300 feet and a vertical drop of 600 feet, with 8 trails ranging from beginner to advanced serviced by 3 lifts.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Phone
• Computer with Internet access

Book Your Ober Gatlinburg Lodging

1. Call the Gatlinburg Visitors and Convention Bureau to reserve your accommodations, or book your rooms online using their website (see Resources below). Ober Gatlinburg does not have on-site lodging.
2. Book a room in one of the many historic bed and breakfasts in nearby Gatlinburg. Room rates range from inexpensive to moderately priced.
3. Rent a cabin for the weekend to enjoy privacy and a great view of the Smoky Mountains. Although rates are more expensive than a hotel room, the splurge will be worth it when you lounge in your private hot tub and enjoy the peaceful silence of the mountains.

Arrange Transportation to Ober Gatlinburg

4. Prepare to fly into the McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, the closest airport to Ober Gatlinburg. This Tennessee airport is serviced by most major airlines.
5. Drive along Highway 441 to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The resort is located just outside of Gatlinburg and can be accessed by the tramway from Gatlinburg.

Enjoy Your Ski Trip to Ober Gatlinburg

6. Plan to visit the base lodge in order to purchase your lift tickets once you arrive at the mountain.
7. Try something new. Snowboarding is also available at Ober Gatlinburg, with lift-ticket fees comparable to that of skiing.
8. Purchase private lessons or take a class to learn how or improve your skiing or boarding skills. Skiing and Snowboarding classes and private lessons are available to all ages.
9. Decide if you will be renting your equipment locally or if you prefer to rent your equipment once you arrive at Ober Gatlinburg. Keep in mind that you can travel by tramway directly to the mountain, and that lugging around your skis, boards, boots and poles can be a chore.
10. Check local sports equipment stores for skiing and cold-weather gear. You will need to be prepared to dress appropriately for extreme cold weather. You will need bibs or ski pants, a warm coat and extra items such as thermals, thick socks and head and face protection. Hats and goggles are also a great investment. Cold weather gear has seen great improvements in the last decade and now tends to be much lighter yet more effective than its predecessors.
11. Check the current ski report online before embarking on your trip. You can access the daily report from the main page of the Ober Gatlinburg website (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Booking your reservations over the Internet allows you to have the best access to your booking information, and oftentimes the best rates on rooms.
• Night skiing is available Monday through Friday from 6 pm to 10 pm.