About Ober Gatlinburg
Ober Gatlinburg (officially Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area & Adventure Park) is a four-season mountaintop attraction high above downtown Gatlinburg. You ride the aerial tram up from the Parkway, and what waits at the top changes with the season: fall festivals, a zip line, a bobsled ride, a wildlife habitat, snow tubing and, when the weather cooperates, skiing.
Getting up the mountain
The Gatlinburg Tram departs from the tram mall at 1001 Parkway. If you drive up, there is a parking lot at 314 Cottage Drive. The tram ride is part of the fun, with views across town and into the Smokies. Allow extra time on weekends and in fall color season.
What to do at the top
- Cloud Catcher Zip Line
- Tennessee Flyer Bobsled
- Wildlife habitat
- Snow tubing: a 350-foot hill with a 50-foot drop, with time slots through the day and Cosmic Tubing at night. Slots are limited, so book ahead
- Skiing and snowboarding in winter
Some activities depend on the weather. Ticket prices change with the season and package, so use the official site rather than a number from an older article.
2026 events and conditions
- Oktoberfest at Ober: September 25 to November 1, 2026
- Thanksgiving Feast: November 26, 2026, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fall color: Ober's color meter expected peak colors from about October 21 into the first days of November, with the meter updated on the website as the leaves change
- Winter 2026-27: the opening date for the ski season had not been announced as of October 22, 2026. Season passes, including a new Night Season Pass, are on sale, and snow tubing is taking reservations. Snowmaking depends on cold nights, so watch the resort's snow report instead of planning around last year's date
Planning tips
It is noticeably cooler and often windier at the top than in town, so bring a jacket even in October. Weather can affect the tram and outdoor rides, so check the day's status before you go. The Cottage Drive lot is a calmer option than the Parkway on busy weekends, and the free Gatlinburg trolley is another way to get downtown to the tram mall without parking.
On a clear fall afternoon, plan an hour or two for the ride and the view and a bit more if you want the zip line or bobsled. For winter, book tubing ahead and arrive early.
Good to know
Ober Gatlinburg is separate from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has its own fees and rules. For the park, see the National Park Service site. For more things to do in town, the Gatlinburg tourism site lists current events.
