This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2013) |
This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (February 2020) |
Ober Gatlinburg is a ski area and amusement park located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA that was established in 1962. The area also contains a large mall with indoor amusements, an indoor ice skating rink, snack bars, a restaurant, and stores. An aerial tram connects Ober Gatlinburg to downtown Gatlinburg, about 3 miles east.
| Ober Gatlinburg | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA |
| Coordinates | 35°42′11″N 83°33′28″W / 35.70306°N 83.55778°WCoordinates: 35°42′11″N 83°33′28″W / 35.70306°N 83.55778°W |
| Top elevation | 3,455 feet (1,053 m)[1] |
| Base elevation | 2,687 feet (819 m) |
| Runs | 10 total - 20% beginner - 60% intermediate - 20% advanced |
| Lift system | 6 total (2 quad chairlifts, 2 double chairlifts, 2 surface lifts) |
| Terrain parks | Lower Bear |
| Snowmaking | yes |
| Night skiing | yes |
| Website | https://obergatlinburg.com |
HistoryEdit
Ober Gatlinburg's predecessor, Gatlinburg Ski Resort, opened in 1962. In 1973, Claude Anders opened the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. In 1974, the Gatlinburg Ski Resort began to go out of business due to publicity from a bad lift accident. It was bought the Anders Family in 1975 and merged with the Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. In 1977, it was renamed Ober Gatlinburg,[2][3] which is German for "Upper Gatlinburg" or "Top of Gatlinburg."[4]
The upper mall opened in 1982.[4]
Snow tubing was added to Ober Gatlinburg in 2008.[3]
In 2012, Ober Gatlinburg installed a SnowMagic snowmaking system, which allows them to open earlier in the season, before natural snow occurs.[5] In 2017, Ober Gatlinburg upgraded its snowmaking system, particularly focusing on Cub Way.[2]
SlopesEdit
As Ober Gatlinburg is too far south to depend on enough natural snow for snow sports, the theme park is equipped with snow making capability.
| Slopes | Length | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| Alpine Way | 2900' / 884m | 279' / 85m |
| Upper Bear Run | 3200' / 975m | 393' / 120m |
| Lower Bear Run | 1600' / 488m | 160' / 49m |
| Castle Run | 1900' / 579m | 163' / 50m |
| Cub Way | 2300' / 701m | 163' / 50m |
| Grizzly | 3800' / 1158m | 556' / 170m |
| Mogul Ridge | 300' / 90m | 235' / 72m |
| Yeti's Run | 700' / 213m | 120' / 36m |
| Ober Chute | 4400' / 1340m | 556' / 170m |
| Ski School | Teaching Area | Gentle Slope |
A multi-lane snow tubing hill opened during the 2008-2009 ski season, where riders can slide down snow chutes on inflatable snow tubes. The lanes are approximately 400 feet (122 m) long with a 50 feet (15 m) vertical drop. The tubing hill is serviced by a magic carpet, as is the ski school slope.
LiftsEdit
The Scenic Chairlift is a double lift that runs to the summit of Mount Harrison, where there is a scenic overlook. The lift is 3,019 feet (920 m) long and rises 779 feet (237 m) in elevation. It was built in 1962 and the drive system and chairs were upgraded in 2014.[6]
The Blue Lift is also a double lift that terminates at the Alpine Way slope and the alpine slide.
Ober Gatlinburg has two quad lifts, the Red Lift and the Black Lift. The Red Lift offers access to Cub Way and Castle Run. The Black Lift offers access to Yeti's Run, Ober Chute, Upper and Lower Bear, Mogul Ridge, and Grizzly.[1]
Aerial TramwayEdit
The aerial tramway departs from downtown Gatlinburg and travels west to the resort. The system was built in 1973 by Von Roll Ltd.[4] and has two 120-passenger cabins. They were replaced by Doppelmayr in 2007. The 2.1 miles (3.4 km) tram ride runs 17 miles per hour (27 km/h) and takes about 10 minutes.[7]
Amusement parkEdit
The amusement park part of Ober Gatlinburg is open year-round. One of the main attractions is the Wildlife Encounter, where in addition to black bears there are animals native to the Great Smoky Mountains.[8] Other attractions include: an alpine slide, the Ski Mountain Coaster, hiking trails, indoor ice skating plus ice bumper cars, miniature golf, water raft rides (summer only), an outdoor maze, a rock climbing wall, and a carousel.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b "Slope Report and Ski Area Trail Map". obergatlinburg.com. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ a b Laws, Matt (2017-10-24). "History of Ski | Ober Gatlinburg". Ski Southeast. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ a b Stroud, Emily (2013-02-01). "Ober Gatlinburg has rich history and lots to do". Sevierville - Sevier News. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ a b c "What is "Ober Gatlinburg"?". Ober Gatlinburg. 2019-08-02. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ Willett, Hugh (October 2, 2012). "Ober Gatlinburg invests in new snow-making equipment". www.knoxnews.com. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ "Scenic Chairlift". Ober Gatlinburg. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
- ^ "Aerial Tramway". Ober Gatlinburg. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ "Wildlife Encounter". Ober Gatlinburg. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
External linksEdit
