Ober Mountain sits 1,386 feet above Gatlinburg and gets there via aerial tramway — a 2.2-mile gondola ride that departs from the middle of downtown. The tramway ride alone is worth the ticket price in summer and fall: the views of the Smokies from the cable are the kind of thing you photograph and then realize the photo does not capture.
At the top, the activity mix changes by season. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding — eight slopes, terrain for beginners through advanced, and rental equipment on site. The rest of the year offers mountain biking, wildlife encounters at the on-site black bear habitat, an outdoor ice skating rink that is open year-round, a water rides area in summer, and a restaurant with views that justify the wait for a table.
It is not cheap, and it is not a hidden local gem — but it is well-run and delivers on what it promises. Go on a weekday if you can. The aerial tramway boards from the Urban Strip in downtown Gatlinburg, so you can walk from dinner or park once and forget about it.
Best for: families with kids, couples who want a scenic ride, anyone who wants ski access without driving further into the mountains.
