As youthful blades of grass bear the weight of morning dew, an array of color peers over the mountainside, breaking through the silvery mists to bring shadow to light. Heavenly tunes of hope arise from the voices of the sky while subtle cries of life echo throughout the forest floor…the slumbering Smokies have awoken to Easter morn. A symbol of fresh starts, humble beginnings, and new life, Easter is a sacred holiday, best spent with friends and family.
This Easter Sunday (April 1, 2018), attend the Easter Sunrise Service (FREE admission) atop Mt. Harrison at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park to experience this spiritual time with the ones you love. Facing the majestic Smoky Mountain sunrise at 6:30 a.m., you’ll feel an immeasurable sense of peace and joy. Join the birds in song as you follow the outdoor worship service lead by local pastors from the Gatlinburg Ministerial Association, the sponsor of this annual event.
What if the weather looks bad?
No worries! In the event of inclement weather, the Easter Sunrise Service will merely move locations to the space around the ice rink at the Ober Gatlinburg Upper Tramway Mall.
Easter Breakfast Buffet
After the 30-45-minute service, head over to the Seasons of Ober Restaurant for the Easter Breakfast Buffet — complete with an appetizing omelet station! Fill your plate with crispy bacon, succulent sausage, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, and a few biscuits to top it all off. Wait, this is a buffet — multiple plates are a must! For your second round, pile on fluffy pancakes, cinnamon rolls, French toast, mini muffins, and fresh fruit. Wash it all down with tangy orange juice, creamy milk, refreshing tea, or hot coffee!
Opening the doors at 7:30 a.m., this breakfast bar will have your nostrils flaring and taste buds tingling before you’ve even grabbed a seat! Just be sure to pack in as much scrumptious food as possible before 10:30 a.m., when the breakfast buffet gates officially close. While adults run $14.95, children 10 and under can participate in the food festivities for $12.95, but the best part is children 4 and under eat for FREE! As a bonus, reservations are not required, so you can simply walk in, find a good table, and scarf down yummy cuisine to your heart’s content.
Seasons of Ober Restaurant
1339 Ski Mountain Road
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-5423
Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway
To get to this special event, you can either drive all the way to the location with complimentary parking at the top or ride the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway (one of the largest aerial tramways in America) FREE of charge! That’s right, all Easter Sunrise Service attendees will receive free cable-car transportation to the worship service site. Departing every 15-20 minutes, the trams will begin running at 5:00 a.m. until the start of the service at 6:30 a.m. Of course, return transportation for guests of the Easter Sunrise Service will also be free, so take ample time to properly enjoy the Easter Breakfast Buffet and other fun diversions at Ober Gatlinburg with your group.
Aerial Tram Station
1001 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
(865) 436-5423
Stay a While
Though you have full permission to eat and run, at least consider the array of entertaining attractions you’ll be missing if you do. After all, this event is taking place at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and Amusement Park! If the name is not convincing enough, check out some of their enjoyable activities below for a bit of motivation.
- Winter Sports — From twirling on the ice rink and snowboarding down the mountain to snow tubing past your friends and performing ski tricks in the freestyle park, Ober Gatlinburg is more than prepared to make your day super cool (pun intended). Also, the last day to go snow tubing is April 1 — how perfect!
- Souvenir Shopping — Get a head start on spring fashion at the Shops at Ober, a collection of varied stores filled with clothing, accessories, Smoky Mountain souvenirs, home décor, trinkets, and more!
- Wildlife Encounter — View river otters, raccoons, bobcats, owls, snakes, and flying squirrels at the Wildlife Encounter. Plus, Easter is the perfect time to visit the facility’s black bear family — post hibernation!
- Epic Rides — Ride the Scenic Chairlift up the mountain and take the Alpine Slide down. Better yet, speed your way (up to 25 mph) through 3,750 feet of forest on the Ski Mountain Coaster!
Enjoy the mountaintop Easter Sunrise Service, delicious breakfast buffet, and plethora of Ober Gatlinburg attractions this Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018!