The Ultimate Ober Gatlinburg Guide: What to Do During Every Season
It’s no secret that Ober Gatlinburg is one of the top attractions in Gatlinburg! While it’s most popular during the winter months when the ski, snowboard, and tubing slopes are open, Ober has something to offer all year long. To help you plan your trip to the park at any time of the year, we’ve put together a guide of things to do at Ober Gatlinburg during every season.
Fall
Ober Gatlinburg sits on the top of a mountain, making it the perfect place to take in gorgeous views of the Smoky Mountain fall foliage! Start your adventure by boarding the Aerial Tramway in downtown Gatlinburg and taking a scenic ride up to the park. This is just the beginning of all the fun you can have during the fall season. Here are more popular things to do at the Ober when you visit in the fall:
Mountain Coaster – The Ski Mountain Coaster is a popular activity all year long, but it’s also a great way to take in the fall colors! You’re in control of your own speed, so you can go slow to admire the views, or reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour. You’ll enjoy a relaxing ride to the top, then can coast down 2,750 feet of turns and dips! The carts have room for two riders so you can enjoy the experience with a friend or family member.
Alpine Slide – The Alpine Slide has been a hit at Ober since 1976! Hop in a sled-like cart and wind down an 1,800-foot track that runs through the forests of Mount Harrison. This is also a great opportunity to see the fall foliage!
Oktoberfest – Only in the fall can you experience one of Ober’s most popular events: Oktoberfest. This annual festival celebrates the traditions of the original Oktoberfest in Germany. Enjoy German-inspired cuisine and beer, listen to the sounds of the Smoky Mountain Oompah Band, and get some Oktoberfest souvenirs to take back home with you!
Colorblind-Less Viewer – Ober Gatlinburg introduced a way for everyone to be able to see the gorgeous Smoky Mountain fall foliage. If you or someone you know is color blind, come to Ober Gatlinburg to see the fall colors for the first time! Tennessee Vacation’s Colorblind-Less Scenic Viewer Program installed a scenic viewer at Ober’s Scenic Chairlift that has special lenses so that people who are colorblind can finally see the fall foliage.
Winter
Winter is the most popular season at Ober Gatlinburg! People come from all over to hit the slopes for some fun in the snow. You can enjoy both outdoor and indoor winter activities at Ober. Here are some of the top things to do during the winter season:
Snow Tubing – Snow tubing is one of the most popular winter activities at Ober! Grab your tube and ride the “Magic Carpet” up to the top of the hill. Then get ready for the ride of your life! Each snow tubing session lasts 90 minutes, so you can ride down the hill and back up as many times as you want during that time!
Skiing/Snowboarding – For more fun on the slopes, go skiing or snowboarding! The best part about these winter activities at Ober is that no experience is necessary. Ober offers lessons that are the best way to learn how to navigate the slopes on skis or a snowboard. Both beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders will have a blast!
Cubbies Snow Zone – Of course Ober offers snow fun just for the kids. The Cubbies Snow Zone is the perfect place for children to play in the snow, making snow angels and building snowmen! This play area is great for those who want to have some winter fun but don’t want to spend time on the slopes.
Ice Skating/Bumper Cars – If you want to spend time indoors, enjoy ice skating and ice bumper cars! Skate around the rink with your friends and family before challenging them to some competition in the ice bumper cars section of the rink. You’ll guide across the ice, bumping into other rides or just spinning around in circles having fun yourself!
Spring
Once the weather starts to get warmer and another ski season has come to an end at Ober, there is still plenty of fun to be had! Spring is a great time to enjoy some of the outdoor activities at the park. Here are some of the best things to do in the spring:
Wildlife Encounter – Ober gives you the opportunity to see some of your favorite Smoky Mountain wildlife! The Wildlife Encounter includes a black bear family, river otters, bobcats, birds of prey, and more. Visitors love being able to see the wildlife up close in a safe environment — especially the black bears!
Kiddie Land & Rides – The kids will have tons of fun in Kiddie Land. There’s a train ride, slides, tunnels, and more. There are even picnic tables surrounded by snack bars so that the parents have a chance to rest while the kids burn off some energy.
Rock Wall – The rock wall is one of the newer additions to Ober Gatlinburg. This 30-foot wall is great for all ages. See how fast you can get to the top of the wall, then rappel back down to celebrate!
MayFest – MayFest is another fun annual festival at Ober. It celebrates the arrival of spring with displays of history, culture, and, of course, the Maypole dance! There’ll be free activities for the kids, from face painting to bounce houses, a Schulz Brau Biergarten, and demonstrations from artists.
Summer
All of the fun heats up in the summertime! During this special season, Ober opens its water rides to help keep visitors cool. You can also enjoy all the other fun activities, like the mountain coaster and the Wildlife Encounter. Learn more about the summer fun at Ober:
Water Rides & Slides – Cool off with the water rides at Ober! You don’t even need a bathing suit to have fun because you’ll be in a raft on all the rides. Enjoy the twists and turns though a blackout tunnel on Blue Cyclone, of fly down a slide with a steep drop-off on Shoot the Chute! If you don’t want to be closed in, try the Lightnin’ Water Ride, which lets you enjoy the rush and splash of a waterslide without any tunnels or closed spaces.
Summer Tubing – Summer tubing is a newer addition to Ober and makes you feel as if you’re back on their snow tubing slopes. You’ll ride down a 250-foot lane that makes you feel like you’re on top of layers of compact snow!
Mini Golf – You can never go wrong with a round of mini golf. O’Bears Mini-Golf is 18 holes of fun! It’s a great activity for families and visitors of all ages.
Arcade – For some indoor fun to escape the summer heat, head to the arcade. The arcade offers fun for all ages both rain and shine. Enjoy classic arcade games, air hockey, and more. Challenge everyone in your group to some friendly competition and see who can win the most games!
Shops & Dining
All throughout the year, you can enjoy shopping and delicious food at Ober. Ober Gatlinburg’s Shops are located both on the mountain and in downtown Gatlinburg. Find everything from clothes and souvenirs to sweet treats! You’ll also find several eateries on the mountain, where you can dine on pizza, sandwiches, fudge, and more. For a nice meal accompanied by gorgeous views, dine at the Seasons of Ober Restaurant. You’ll find a variety of steaks, chicken, and pork entrees, all with homemade sides. The menu changes throughout the year to reflect the flavors of each season!
Start Planning Your Visit to Ober Gatlinburg
Now that you know about all the fun that you can have at Ober Gatlinburg throughout the year, we bet you can’t wait to visit the popular attraction. Get your ticket for the Aerial Tramway through Visit My Smokies and save money!
