Ober Gatlinburg offers fun year-round, but winter activities here are especially exciting! With the Great Smoky Mountains as scenery, guests can enjoy beautiful days and tons of fun at one of the area’s most popular attractions. During winter, one of the most popular family-friendly activities is tubing!
Open daily from now until early spring 2015, tubing at Ober Gatlinburg is great for families with younger children. Kids ages 3 and up can hop on for an exciting ride down the tubing lanes. Kids ages 3-5 must be accompanied by an adult, and kids ages 6 and up (and at least 42 inches tall) can ride solo. Each tubing session is an hour-and-a-half long, and tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. They don’t accept reservations, so arrive early to get the spot you want! Pre-sale tickets for the following three days’ sessions can be purchased in person at the Tramway Mall or on the mountain at Ober Gatlinburg (if available).
Tubing Sessions
Run daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
1 ½ hours long
Monday – Friday: $20
Saturdays & Holidays: $25
Sundays: $25
Holiday Sessions
December 22 – January 4
January 16 – 19 (Martin Luther King weekend)
February 13 – 16 (President’s Day weekend)
Whether you’re traveling with small children or just want a relaxing way to enjoy the snow, tubing is a great winter activity to enjoy in the Smoky Mountains. Once you’re done tubing, you’ll find plenty more to do at Ober Gatlinburg. Check out some of their other activities and attractions, including:
Skiing and Snowboarding
The slopes haven’t opened at Ober Gatlinburg for skiing and snowboarding this season, but check their website often for updates. The slopes feature several great runs to choose from, and there’s even a Cubbies Snow Zone for the little ones. Head to the Gatlinburg Snowsports Center if you need some help starting out, and don’t forget to pick up your gear in the ski shop.
Aerial Tramway
$12 – Adults, $4 – children (ages 5-11)
A fantastic way to observe the scenery of the Smoky Mountains, the Aerial Tramway has a rich history and is a local favorite. The 2.1-mile trip up from downtown Gatlinburg will offer you some of the best views around!
Ice Skating
$9 – 3-hour continuous session
*Price includes skate rental
Don’t want to brave the cold outside? Stay inside and try ice skating on Ober Gatlinburg’s year-round indoor ice arena! The 140’x75’ rink is the centerpiece of the Ober Gatlinburg Mall. They offer more than 400 pairs of rental skates for women, men, and children.
Wildlife Encounter
$6 – Adults (12 and older), $4 – children (ages 5-11)
Featuring bears, river otters, bobcats, and more, the Wildlife Encounter lets you get up close and personal with the animals of the Smoky Mountains. In the Nocturnal House, meet raccoons, skunks, flying squirrels, and snakes. The Birds of Prey exhibit houses owls and more in an enclosed aviary.