Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg

Tennessee's only ski area and one of the Smokies' most iconic year-round attractions — a mountaintop adventure park high above downtown Gatlinburg, with more than a dozen activities spanning every season.

Come in winter for skiing and snowboarding, in summer for the bobsled and zip line, or any time of year for ice skating and wildlife encounters. Getting there is half the experience: the Gatlinburg Aerial Tram carries you 2.1 miles from downtown straight to the mountaintop, with Smoky Mountain views that start before you arrive.

Looking for a base close to the action? Our Gatlinburg cabin rentals include options minutes from the tram.

Getting there

The Gatlinburg Aerial Tram departs from downtown at 1001 Parkway, halfway between traffic lights 8 and 10, and makes the 2.1-mile ascent to the mountaintop. It's one of the most recognizable landmarks in Gatlinburg and worth doing in its own right.

Parking is available near the tram base at 314 Cottage Drive. You can also drive directly up the mountain to 1339 Ski Mountain Road.

Year-round activities

• The Gatlinburg Tram — the 2.1-mile aerial ride from downtown to the mountaintop, with views of the Smokies both directions
• Cloud Catcher Zip Line — a four-lane zip line down the mountain with panoramic views; one of the most exhilarating things at Ober
• Smoky Mountain Bobsled — the park's signature attraction. A winding track down the mountainside where you control your own speed, included with the Adventure Pass
• Tennessee Flyer — a mountain ride with sweeping scenery
• Sky Village Lift — a scenic chairlift through the mountain terrain
• Ice skating — the indoor arena runs year-round, making it one of the only places in the Smokies to skate in July. Rentals available
• Ice bumper cars — exactly what it sounds like, and a fan favorite at any age
• Wildlife Habitat — black bears, river otters, and birds of prey up close; genuinely impressive and easy to miss
• Rock climbing wall, archery, and Spider Jump — indoor climbing, target archery, and a bungee-style jump
• Carousel, chair swings, and jump pillow — for the youngest visitors
• Disc golf, downhill mountain biking, and summer tubing — warmer-months activities across the mountain terrain, with bike rentals available

Winter at Ober

Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee's only ski resort, and winter turns the mountain into a full snow experience. The season typically runs November through March.

• Skiing and snowboarding — multiple slopes from beginner to advanced, supported by snowmaking systems that keep conditions consistent through the season
• Lessons — available for all levels, and a genuinely good option for first-timers
• Snow tubing — multiple lanes with a Magic Carpet lift, so there's no climbing back up
• Ice skating and ice bumper cars — year-round, including all winter

Check obergatlinburg.com for current winter operating details and conditions before you go.

Seasonal events

Oktoberfest at Ober is the mountain's signature fall celebration, with food, drinks, and mountain atmosphere running through the autumn season. Event programming rotates through the year — check obergatlinburg.com for current dates.

Fall is the busiest stretch of the year in Gatlinburg. If you're coming in October, book a fall cabin rental well in advance.

Dining

• Alpine Slice Co. — handcrafted pizza on the mountaintop
• Fiddle & Pick — house-smoked barbecue
• Slope Side — quick bites and snacks
• Sugar Shack — sweet treats and desserts
• Outdoor green space — cold craft beer and drinks in the open air

Tickets and passes

Ober offers individual activity tickets as well as multi-activity Adventure Passes that bundle the most popular attractions — the Smoky Mountain Bobsled is included with the pass. Tickets are available online in advance or on-site.

Confirm current pass inclusions and operating hours at obergatlinburg.com before your visit, since seasonal activities vary.

Hours and location

Hours vary by season and activity. Check obergatlinburg.com for current daily hours before visiting.

Tips for visiting

• Take the tram. Driving up is fine, but the aerial tram is part of the Ober experience — scenic, convenient, and it drops you at the entrance
• Check what's running. Some attractions are warmer-months only — bobsled, mountain biking, summer tubing — and some are winter only. Ice skating, ice bumper cars, the wildlife habitat, and the tram are always open
• Book ski lessons ahead. Beginner slopes and lessons fill on peak winter weekends
• Arrive early in winter. The slopes and snow tubing lanes get busy by mid-morning on weekends
• Don't skip the wildlife habitat. Black bears, river otters, and birds of prey — it's a genuinely good exhibit that most people walk past on the way to the rides
• Mind the mountain roads in winter. Ski Mountain Road is maintained, but cabin driveways up the hillside can get icy. If you're not confident driving mountain roads, ask us which cabins have easier access

Nearby

Ober is a short drive or tram ride from downtown Gatlinburg, putting you close to everything on the Parkway. See our things to do guide for more.

• Anakeesta — the other mountaintop attraction in Gatlinburg, with gondola access from the Parkway, zip lines, treetop walks, and Astra Lumina after dark
• Crockett's Breakfast Camp — fuel up before a day on the mountain at one of Gatlinburg's most beloved breakfast spots
• Alum Cave Trail — one of the best hikes in the Smokies, minutes from downtown
• Moonshine tastings on the Parkway — several tasting rooms nearby, most with live bluegrass
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the entrance is minutes from downtown Gatlinburg

Frequently asked questions

Is Ober Gatlinburg open year-round?

Yes, with activities in every season. Some are season-specific — skiing in winter, mountain biking in summer — while ice skating, ice bumper cars, the wildlife habitat, and the aerial tram run all year.

Is it really Tennessee's only ski resort?

Yes — Ober Gatlinburg is the only ski area in the state.

Do I have to take the tram?

No — you can drive directly to the mountain at 1339 Ski Mountain Road. But the tram from downtown is the easier option if you're already on the Parkway, and it's a good experience in its own right.

Are there activities for young kids?

Plenty. The carousel, jump pillow, chair swings, ice skating, ice bumper cars, and wildlife habitat all suit younger children.

Can I ski if I've never done it before?

Yes. Beginner slopes and lessons are available for first-timers, and Ober is generally considered an accessible, family-friendly place to learn.

What is the Cloud Catcher?

A four-lane zip line with panoramic Smoky Mountain views — one of the most popular activities at Ober for thrill-seekers.

When is ski season?

Typically November through March, depending on conditions. Snowmaking keeps the slopes running through the season, but check obergatlinburg.com for current status before you travel.