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If you've visited the Smoky Mountains before, chances
are you've spent at least one day at Ober Gatlinburg. A
popular destination especially for groups, teenagers and families,
Ober Gatlinburg offers plenty of unique experiences for vacationers
of all ages. Check out this article for more information of what to do at Ober Gatlinburg
Reaching Ober Gatlinburg can be one of
the best parts of visiting (unless you have a fear of heights!). Riding
the Aerial Tram from Gatlinburg up the mountain to Ober Gatlinburg is a
unique experience in itself. Open in 1973, the tram operates on a 20
minute schedule and travels over 2 miles to Ober Gatlinburg. For those
of you who may be wondering how safe a 35-year old tram system is,
you'll be glad to know that the tram cables were replaced last year. It
truly is an amazing experience to sail over the tops of trees on your
way up the mountain. Another plus for parents with younger children is
that children 6 and under ride free.
With one of the few ski resorts located in the sunny South, Ober
Gatlinburg is popular with beginning skiers who want to try snowskiing
or snowboarding for the first time while on vacation. From years of
personal experience (I learned to ski at Ober), I recommend visiting
during the evening hours if at all possible. There are two benefits to
this: first it is less crowded, which especially helps when you're
learning to ski, and second, it is less expensive. You can get an
evening lift ticket Monday through Friday evenings for only $15 during
the 2007-08 season. Of course, I may also be biased since I just prefer
to ski after dark when the slopes are lit with floodlights. It
completely changes the atmosphere of the resort.
One of the great things about Ober Gatlinburg, though, is that it
offers fun for everyone. If snowskiing isn't for you, then try the
huge indoor ice skating rink which is open year round. Or you might
prefer the alpine slide (which my children ask to do every time we
visit). The alpine slide is also great since you get a scenic chair
lift ride up the mountain also included in the price of the slide. And
as with the aerial tram, kids 6 and under ride the slide free with a
paying adult.
If you visit Ober Gatlinburg during the
summer there are water slides, go karts, a bungee run and velcro wall,
and childrens rides. None of these is opened during ski season, and the
water slides are only open during the summer.
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