Snow Tubing at Ober Gatlinburg: Prices, Hours, Tips, and What to Expect

Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee's only ski resort — and for families who came to the Smokies in winter without skis, the snow tubing hill is the fastest way onto the mountain. No technique required, no equipment to rent. You sit in a tube, Magic Carpet takes you uphill, and gravity handles the rest. Here's everything worth knowing before you go.

When Is the Tubing Hill Open?

Snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg typically opens in mid-to-late November — the 2025–26 season opened November 15 — and runs daily through March, conditions permitting. No natural snowfall required: Ober's Snow Magic snowmaking machines produce real water snow that holds up even when temperatures are above freezing, so the tubing hill operates reliably throughout the winter season regardless of what Gatlinburg's weather is doing.

Always check obermountain.com before heading up — hours vary by day and the mountain occasionally adjusts tubing availability based on conditions or special events.

What Does Snow Tubing at Ober Cost?

Each session is 90 minutes of unlimited tubing runs. 2025–26 season pricing for ages 5 and up:

Non-holiday weekdays: $48 | Weekends and holidays: $53 | Christmas and New Year's week: $63

Ages 3 and 4 ride with a paying adult for a $3 RFID card fee only. Ages 4 and under are generally free for most Ober activities when with a paying adult — check the ride restrictions page at obermountain.com for current age and size minimums.

Book online in advance. Weekends and holiday periods sell out well in advance of opening day, and pre-purchasing online saves money over same-day or on-site rates. Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing time.

What Should We Expect on the Hill?

Ober staff hand you a colorful inflated tube at the start of your session. Step onto the Magic Carpet — an escalator-style lift — which carries you uphill without any hiking. At the top, sit in the tube and push off down the track carved into the snow. The hill is 350 feet long with a 50-foot drop — enough height to build up a genuinely fast, exciting run. At the bottom, hop back on the Magic Carpet and repeat as many times as you can fit into the 90-minute session. No ski poles, no technique, no falling involved. The entire experience is designed to be accessible from age 3 up.

Can Young Kids Go Tubing?

Yes — with some age and size requirements. Children ages 3 and 4 (or under 42 inches tall) must ride on an adult's lap; they cannot ride solo. Children ages 5 and up who are at least 42 inches tall can ride independently. Children 2 and under are not permitted on the tubing hill. The Magic Carpet lift and the tubing lanes themselves are designed for families, and the 90-minute session gives younger kids enough time to get comfortable and enthusiastic about repeated runs rather than rushing through it.

Is Tubing the Only Thing to Do at Ober Gatlinburg?

Not even close. Ober Gatlinburg is a year-round mountain attraction with a full activity stack beyond the winter sports:

Winter: Skiing and snowboarding across 10 trails spanning ability levels, ice skating, ice bumper cars, and tubing. The Tennessee Flyer mountain coaster operates in good weather.

Year-round: The Tennessee Flyer mountain coaster, indoor ice skating, a wildlife encounter area, ziplines, mountain biking, and the aerial tram from downtown Gatlinburg. The aerial tram alone — $19.95 round trip — is worth considering as the way to get to the mountain: it departs from the bottom of the Gatlinburg Parkway and delivers you to the summit with aerial views of the city and the national park below.

The Fun Pass bundles most on-mountain attractions for $39 when purchased at least one day in advance ($49 same-day online, $54 on-site). For families doing multiple activities, the Fun Pass is typically the best value. Check obermountain.com for the current pass inclusions and pricing.

How Do You Get to Ober Gatlinburg?

Two options:

Drive: Take Ski Mountain Road from the Gatlinburg Parkway up the mountain to the Ober Gatlinburg parking area. The drive is steep and winding — expect 10–15 minutes from the Parkway, with some switchbacks.

Tram: The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway departs from 1001 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg (near Traffic Light #9) and makes the 10-minute trip to the mountain summit. Round trip is $19.95 per person. The tram is particularly practical in winter when the mountain road may have weather-related conditions, and it adds the aerial view of Gatlinburg and the Smokies as part of the day rather than just a logistics step.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Visit

Book snow tubing online well in advance — particularly for weekends and any period near Christmas or New Year's. Holiday sessions sell out weeks ahead. Online purchase is also the cheapest entry point.

Dress in layers. The mountain is colder than downtown Gatlinburg, often significantly so. Waterproof outer layers and waterproof boots are the most important items — you'll be sitting on snow and getting splashed by it on every run. Gloves are essential.

Weekday visits are less crowded. The tubing hill on a Tuesday afternoon is a fundamentally different experience from a Saturday during Christmas week. If flexibility is possible, midweek visits produce shorter waits and more runs in the 90-minute window.

Pair it with the tram ride. Taking the tram up, doing a full session on the hill, and taking the tram back down gives the day a logical arc and avoids mountain road driving in winter conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to ski to go snow tubing at Ober Gatlinburg?

No — snow tubing requires no technique or prior experience. You sit in the tube and the hill does the work. The Magic Carpet lift handles the uphill return. It's specifically designed for guests of all ability levels, including those who have never been on snow before.

Is there natural snow at Ober Gatlinburg?

Sometimes — Gatlinburg gets natural snowfall in winter, and Ober is at a higher elevation where it's more frequent. But the resort doesn't depend on it. Ober's Snow Magic snowmaking machines produce real water snow that holds up even in above-freezing temperatures, so the tubing hill operates throughout the season regardless of natural conditions.

Is there a general admission fee at Ober Gatlinburg?

No — there's no general admission fee. You pay per activity or purchase a Fun Pass that bundles most on-mountain attractions. Check obermountain.com for current pricing and pass options before your visit.

How far is Ober Gatlinburg from Pigeon Forge?

Approximately 15–20 minutes from Pigeon Forge via the Gatlinburg Parkway to Airport Road. From most Colonial Properties Gatlinburg cabin rentals, the drive is 10–15 minutes.