4 Fun Ways to Enjoy Winter in the Smokies
Bundle up and buckle up! Winter is one of the best times of the year in the Smokies, bringing with it majestic weather and exhilarating adventures! The Great Smoky Mountains transform into a personal playground blanketed with powdery snow and full of fun that you just have to experience for yourself. Whether you’re searching for winter thrills or simply champing at the bit to get into the Christmas spirit, you’ll find it here. To help you make the most of your winter visit, we’ve put together this list of 4 funs ways to enjoy winter in the Smokies:
1. Check Out Smoky Mountain Winterfest
Smoky Mountain Winterfest is one of the most popular annual traditions around, beloved by both visitors and locals alike! Millions of magical holiday lights line the streets in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, sprinkling the Christmas spirit over visitors from far and wide. These elaborate light displays will leave you in awe with a beauty that reminds us of the reason for the season. Winterfest runs from mid-November to mid-February each year, giving you plenty of time to experience this holiday tradition with family and friends.
2. Adventure at Ober Mountain
Bask in winter adventure at Ober Mountain! Gatlinburg’s mountainside adventure park and ski area hosts a long list of heart-pumping winter sports that offer hours of unique Smoky Mountain fun! Enjoy unblemished winter views of the Smokies aboard the scenic chairlift or aerial tramway. Try your hand at activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and ice skating or take a ride on the Tennessee Flyer Mountain Coaster. Ober Mountain is a must-visit for families looking for snow-filled adventures this winter in the Smokies!
3. A Winter Hike
The best way to see the unmatched beauty of winter in the Smokies is to immerse yourself in it! A Smoky Mountain hike allows you to get up close and personal with all the best parts of winter. Choose from trails of all lengths and difficulty levels to find one best suited for you and your family. As you traverse the vast wilderness, you’ll be blown away by the sights, scenes and sounds that make the Smokies so special. Be sure to keep up with the latest weather-related updates and road closures by intermittently checking the national park’s website.
4. Snow Tubing Thrills
Grab a tube and hit the snowy slopes! You’ll have a hard time getting the kids to ever want to leave! In addition to Ober Mountain, both Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark in Pigeon Forge and Pigeon Forge Snow host snow tubing excursions. Rowdy Bear is home to the largest outdoor tubing hill in Tennessee at more than 500 feet in length and featuring a 70-foot drop. Pigeon Forge Snow offers year-round indoor snow tubing experiences in a climate-controlled environment with artificial snow that’s both natural and safe. No matter where you head, snow tubing provides plenty of thrills, laughs and smiles for all!
You’re sure to have a blast experiencing these fun ways to enjoy winter in the Smokies! Are you pumped up to see snow in the Smokies? Learn about some of the best places to see snow in the Smoky Mountains!
