Enjoy a Weekend Skiing Adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains
By Jon Hoffman © 2012, All Rights Reserved

Does winter’s first snowfall have you itching to strap on your
skis and hit the slopes? In the Great Smoky Mountains, ski season
offers a chance to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of the
Southeast’s favorite winter vacation destination.

Family members of all ages will find plenty to do, whether
they’re experienced skiers or new to the sport. Slopes for every
age level are scattered throughout the area, but you’ll also find
snowboarding, tobogganing, and a host of other family friendly
winter sports as well.

Gatlinburg’s Most Famous Ski Resort

No Smoky Mountain ski trip is complete without a day or two spent
at Ober Gatlinburg, the area’s premier winter fun resort. Skiers
of all skill levels will enjoy gliding along the groomed runs
that crisscross the mountain, and the four lifts that service the
trails ensure you’ll spend more time on the slopes than off.

Beginning skiers of any age can take advantage of the
professional ski instruction available on site. You’ll learn the
proper techniques for turning, slowing, and stopping, so you can
truly enjoy your ski vacation. More advanced family members can
take a snowboarding lesson, or hit the freestyle terrain park
where virtually anything goes, and there are plenty of moguls,
rails, and other features to thrill any extreme skiing fan.

Remember those cold winter mornings you spent at the local
sledding hill when you were a kid? Well grab a tube and head for
Ober Gatlinburg’s tubing area for a sledding adventure that will
bring back many happy memories. It’s a heart-stopping plunge to
the bottom as you cling to your tube and plummet along the snowy
track. Unlike that sledding hill from your childhood, though,
there’s no trudging back to the top – just hitch a ride on the
lift for your next race down the mountain.

When it’s time for a break in the action, you can warm your hands
around a cup of hot chocolate from one of Ober Gatlinburg’s
eateries, or spend a few minutes mastering a new game in the
indoor arcade.

In addition to the fantastic skiing and all-day family fun, Ober
Gatlinburg is also the only resort in the area where getting
there really is half the fun. Park the car in downtown Gatlinburg
and hop aboard the aerial tram for a ride to the top of the
mountain. Not only will you avoid the slippery mountain roads,
but you’ll experience the best view of the gorgeous scenery to be
found anywhere.

A Real Smoky Mountain Getaway

To really experience a Smoky Mountain ski vacation, consider
renting a mountain chalet for your trip. You’ll feel as if you’ve
left the world behind when you snuggle into your own private
cabin in the woods, where a roaring fire warms you after a long
day on the slopes, and an overnight dusting of snow sparkles in
the morning sun.

Don’t let the winter slip by without hitting the slopes in
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The spectacular scenery, clean
mountain air, and world-famous southern hospitality combine to
make any ski trip memorable for the whole family.

Jon Hoffman is Reservations Manager of Volunteer Cabin Rentals
specializing in Smoky Mountain rental cabins in Gatlinburg and
Pigeon Forge, TN. Visit them today at
http://www.volunteercabinrentals.com to book cabins for weddings,
vacations, reunions and other special events.