As winter settles into the Great Smoky Mountains, trees slumber, rivers still, wildlife slows, and vacationers play in the snow! Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, have great attractions to keep snow lovers entertained. At Ober Gatlinburg, ski, snowboard, snow tube, and ice skate. Visit Pigeon Forge Snow for indoor snow tubing and snow play year-round. And settle into your cabin rental for cozy nights by the fireplace, hot cocoa from the full kitchen, and soaks in the hot tub…for starters. Snowy fun awaits in the Smokies!
Winter Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiiers and snowboarders, beginners and experts, are welcome to glide down the powdery slopes at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Amusement Park. Every winter season, Ober gears up snowy activities, and skiing and snowboarding are super popular. Opening early-mid December and closing around mid-March, it can be hard to pinpoint an exact date for ski season since Mother Nature plays a big part in the snowmaking process.
Once open, ski events and competitions break loose, like King of the Mountain, Ladies Nights, and Back in Blue Rail Jam! Plus, the terrain park — aka Ober Gatlinburg Freestyle Terrain (OGFT) — allows freestyle skiing and snowboarding with more jibs each year.
Never skied or snowboarded before or need a refresher? Take a lesson from one of their qualified instructors (mandatory for first-timers) in the Ski School area. Rental equipment, including clothing, and coin lockers for personal belongings are also available.
Ski Area Tickets
Tickets to enter the ski area are required for all skiers and snowboarders. Prices vary by time and day, and lessons and rental equipment are not included.
- Adults (ages 12-59) — $25-70
- Juniors (ages 6-11) & Seniors (ages 60-69) — $25-60
- Kids (ages 5 & under) — 1 FREE ticket per paying adult
- Ages 70+ — FREE
Year-Round Ice Skating & Ice Bumper Cars
Glide around the ice rink as you ice skate or drive ice bumper cars at Ober Gatlinburg. It’s perfect for enjoying the cold without snow falling in your face or the playful wind biting your nose. While it’s a fun way to celebrate the winter season, this 140’ by 75’ ice skating rink is actually open year-round!
It’s great for advanced and beginner skaters (ages 5+), with plenty of space to spread your wings and a handrail around the arena to hold tight if you’re nervous. Ober has even hosted competitions, holiday events, and the Tennessee Special Olympics here. And don’t be surprised if you see a few local figure skaters getting in a little practice.
Ice Bumper Cars is a fun and unique way to experience the ice rink and is open to kids and adults (ages 5+). You can bump around family and friends in your colorful ride or just cruise around on the ice without fear of falling. And with ⅓ of the ice rink sectioned off for the bumper cars, you won’t have to worry about colliding with ice skaters.
Ice Skating & Ice Bumper Cars Tickets
Tickets to ice skate include rental skates available in toddler size 6 through adult size 15. Ice Bumper rides last 10 minutes, including orientation.
- Adults & Children (ages 5+) — $8
- Kids (ages 4 & under) — FREE with adult
Indoor & Outdoor Snow Tubing
Soar down the frigid slopes on a snow tube at Ober Gatlinburg outdoors or at Pigeon Forge Snow indoors! Both attractions offer areas to play in the snow as well. Build friendly snowmen, make snow angels, and create frozen forts together in Ober’s Cubbies Snow Zone outside or Pigeon Forge Snow’s Snow Play area inside.
Ober snow tubing in Gatlinburg operates from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through Easter. Winter snow tubing (ages 5+) lasts 90 minutes, and the Magic Carpet (an outdoor escalator) takes to the tippy top of the hill so you don’t have to climb before each run.
As America’s first indoor snow park, Pigeon Forge Snow is a one-of-a-kind snowy attraction with pure snow. Snow tubing indoors means no parkas necessary, and there’s a balcony where you can watch loved ones zoom down the hill along 15 lanes. Pigeon Forge snow tubing lasts 60 minutes, and an indoor escalator will save you from climbing.
Ober Gatlinburg Snow Tubing & Cubbies Zone Tickets
Snow tubing is available for children and adults ages 5+ and is more affordable during the week. The Cubbies Zone is for little ones 48-inches tall and under, accompanied by an adult, and is only open on the weekends during ski season. Those already with a Ski Area ticket get in free!
- Snow Tubing (adults & children) — $30-35
- Snow Tubing (ages 3 & 4) — FREE with adult
- Cubbies Zone — $8
Pigeon Forge Snow Tubing & Snow Play Tickets
Snow tubing is available for all ages at least 38 inches tall for 60 minutes. Snow Play tickets are good for 30 minutes of playtime in the snow.
- Snow Tubing — $22
- Snow Play — $8
- Snow Tubing & Snow Play — $27 (best value)
Snowfall at the Cabin
While it may not be snowy every winter day in the Smoky Mountains, there’s always a chance! And when it does snow in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, cozying up in a log cabin is the best. Family and friends can gather around a toasty fireplace and watch the snowfall through floor-to-ceiling windows. You can step onto the covered deck to see the snowflakes up close or hop in the hot tub for a unique and fun experience in the snow. Hot chocolate is a must, highly recommended with extra marshmallows, a shot of hot fudge, and a twist of cinnamon. And playing in the snow is always fun!
Cabin Amenities Perfect for Snow
- Heated private indoor pool
- Steamy hot tub
- Indoor jetted tub
- Wood burning/gas/electric fireplaces
- Outdoor firepit
- Home theater with surround sound
- Game room with pool, air hockey, foosball, arcade classics, etc.
- Board games
- Fully equipped kitchen + dining area
- Gas/charcoal grill
- Wet bar
- Decks with rocking chairs/porch swings/tables
- King, queen, full, twin beds
- TV in every bedroom
- Washer/dryer
- High speed Wi-Fi
When you’re ready to start planning your winter stay and snowy play in the Smokies, Pigeon Forge TN Cabins is here to help at 1.866.513.7885. Or simply book your favorite cabin online with just a few clicks! We currently have 450+ options in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that range from 1-16 bedrooms and budget friendly to luxury. And we have a wide variety of pet-friendly cabins in the Smokies. Whatever your winter cabin dream, let’s make it happen!
