What’s One To Do With All This Snow?
With temperatures under 30 degrees and snow up to six inches high, it’s no wonder people are scrambling to figure out how to enjoy the snow, but if you prepare you can make the most of the beautiful white flakes that fall from the sky and blanket the ground. Coming to Gatlinburg, TN during this winter season? You may want to consider some helpful tips for your travel to Gatlinburg and your stay in of our cabins during this very snowy time of year.
Before you read on we would like to give you one of the most important pieces of information that you need to know. CELL PHONES DON’T ALWAYS GET RECEPTION IN THE MOUNTAINS. You need to plan your trip carefully.
Tips for your travel:
Plan for “just in case” – Pack a flash light, spare tire, jack, flare, snacks, warm blanket, spare phone battery, and some water. These will help if for some reason you end up on the side of the road due to the snow or ice.
Inform your family of your plans – Let people know about the routes you’ll be taking and when you’ll arrive. Tell them you’ll call when you do. That way if you have any problems and can’t call them they’ll know.
Check your tires and your fluids before you leave – Don’t leave your safety up to chance. You should have plenty of tread and plenty of oil before you come to the mountains.
Bring in-car entertainment in case of delays due to snow and ice – A video player, games, and road-trip music will go a long way if you’re stuck in traffic or having to drive extremely slow.
Tips for Gatlinburg fun during the snowy season:
Bring nonperishable food with you on your road trip – That way if you can’t make it to the grocery store for a day or two you aren’t starving. Chips, poptarts, pretzels, candy, nuts, protein bars, and canned food will help you feel nice and full if you can’t get hot food right away.
Bring some extra firewood – You may want to run your fireplace a lot if it’s cold outside. You may not get to the grocery store and if the temperatures are low you could easily burn through provided wood . So, plan ahead. Bring some with you so you can enjoy the crackle of the fireplace while you enjoy the mountain cabin.
Bring some games – If the weather is bad, you may not be able to leave your cabin. So, plan some in-cabin activities that will help your family have fun. Playing i-spy while watching a movie, setting up a pool tournament, playing go-fish, and breaking up into teams and playing Taboo are all great ideas for in-cabin fun. There’s a lot more you can do. Just use your imagination.
Plan some indoor connecting activities – You can read an appropriate suspense novel as a family while cuddling at the fireplace, you can decorate family t-shirts, you can make smores at the wood burning fireplace, you can have a movie marathon, or you can tell your favorite stories while taking in the sunset from your view at the Gatlinburg cabin. Whatever you do, make sure you try and connect with your loved ones.
Bring snow suits – While you may not go skiing at Ober Gatlinburg, you may enjoy snow sledding (if you don’t have a sled we’re sure you’ll find a way to improvise.) You may also want to build a snow man. It’s cold outside though so you’ll need some heavy duty clothes and some heavy duty shoes. The kids will LOVE you if you make playing in the snow happen.
We hope you enjoy your visit! Let us know if you come up with any other good tips by leaving a comment.