Is Ober Mountain Worth The Time And Money?
I have a question: Is Ober Mountain worth the time and money?
The short answer is…Definitely!
I have another question: Isn’t it called Ober Gatlinburg?
We’ll get to that in a minute…
Published August 27, 2025
“Wait, I thought it was named Ober Gatlinburg?”
Well, it used to be called Ober Gatlinburg (German for “upper Gatlinburg” or “top of Gatlinburg”), but the name changed to Ober Mountain in October 2022 when new owners purchased it.
The mountain opened as a ski area in 1962, known as Gatlinburg Ski Resort. The Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway did not open until later, in 1973. However, due to an accident involving the ski lift, the resort began to shut down a year later. Then, in 1975, the owner of the aerial tramway bought the resort, and the two merged into one. In 1977, the new owners renamed the resort Ober Gatlinburg.
The mall at the top of the mountain, known as the upper mall, opened five years later, and in 2012, snowmaking equipment was installed.
Today, the official name is Ober Mountain Adventure Park & Ski Area.
Thus endeth the history lesson.
What Makes Ober Mountain Worth My Time and Money?
I visited Ober Gatlinburg in the early 1980s, and my wife and I returned there again in early 2025. I was shocked by how much the area had changed. It has grown so much!
Here are 18 reasons I think you will love it.
The Gatlinburg Tram
The Gatlinburg Tram departs from the Lower Mall every 20 minutes, transporting passengers to the Ober Gatlinburg Upper Mall. Actually, there are two tram cars – while one is going up, the other is coming down. They pass each other midway on the trip.
The tram cars are large, capable of holding dozens of passengers at a time. The ride is 2.1 miles long and takes approximately 10 minutes.
The scenery from the tram ride is spectacular, and the ride is very entertaining, thanks to the hilarious running commentary delivered by the tram operator, a host or guide who shares fun facts, answers questions, and points out interesting spots along the way.
Retail Shops
There are shopping options available at both the Lower Mall and the Upper Mall. At the Lower Mall, you’ll find:
- Tramway Gifts – Tee shirts, hats, souvenirs
- The Silver Galleon – Native arts, crafts, souvenirs
- The Pepper Palace – “The Planet’s #1 Hot Shop” for hot sauces, BBQ sauces, etc.
The Upper Mall features:
- Ober Mountain Outfitters – Smoky Mountains themed outdoor gear and apparel
- Ober Merch Gift Shop – Tee shirts, hoodies, hats, and more
- O’Bears Playhouse – Toys, games, books, and clothing for kids
- The Leather Shop – Leather goods, such as coats, shoes, and more
Restaurants
Lots of dining options at Ober Mountain!
- The Fiddle & Pick – BBQ
- Mountain Bites – Chicken Tenders and Hot Dogs
- Alpine Slice – Pizza
- Slopeside – Hot Dogs and Chips
- Ober Mountain Cafe – Burgers
In the mood for something sweet? Try…
- The Tram Car Snack Bar – Funnel Cakes
- The Fudge Shop – Fudge (This one is my fav!)
Ice Skating
What better way to cool off on a hot summer day than hopping on the ice for some skating! Of course, the rink is open in the winter, too.
The ice rink has ample space for both beginners and experienced skaters.
Ice Bumper Cars
This was a first for me – I had never seen bumper cars on ice. Everyone seemed to be having a great time as they crashed into each other!
The Indoor Carousel
Who doesn’t love a merry-go-round! This one is inside, small, and gorgeous. Your children will love it. Plus, great photo opps!
Downhill Mountain Biking
Ride a lift to the top, and cruise down the mountain trails on your mountain bike!
Mountain bikes, helmets, and pads are available for rent. The bikes are made by Specialized, one of the top names in the business.
If you’ve never tried mountain biking before, no worries! Lessons are available!
The Cloud Catcher Zipline
This is no ordinary zipline. The starting point is at the top of Mt. Harrison, 3400′ in elevation, making this the highest zipline in the Smoky Mountains! The ride is over 3200′!
Four parallel ziplines allow you to enjoy the adventure with up to three of your buddies. And, of course, the scenery is spectacular. You might even spot a bear watching you zip down the mountain.
The View from the Top
Catch the Sky Village Express Chairlift to one of the very best views in the Smoky Mountains. We spied a black bear and her two cubs while riding the lift up the mountain! The lift drops you off at the top of Mount Harrison. This is the starting point for the Cloud Chaser Zipline Experience. It’s also where you’ll find the elevated viewing platform with views like the one in the photo below.
The Wildlife Habitat
Being animal lovers, Mary Ellen and I loved the Wildlife Habitat at Ober Mountain. The habitat is a rescue/rehab facility for injured animals that are no longer able to survive in the wild.
A surprising variety of animals call the habitat home – black bears, foxes, otters, bobcats, owls, snakes, turtles, and more.
While the keepers are very busy caring for their animals, they are friendly and happy to answer your questions. The animals are friendly and happy, too.
The Smoky Mountain Bobsled
The Smoky Mountain Bobsled is fun for the whole family. Children as young as 3 years old are permitted to ride.
The sleds are equipped with a hand brake, so riders control their own speed on the parallel tracks, which are 1800′ long!
A Personal Memory
I rode this ride in the early ’80s. (Don’t worry – it’s been updated since then.) The ride operator was a gentleman who was missing one of his arms. As I sat down on the sled, I remember wondering to myself, “I wonder if he lost that arm on this ride…”
The Tennessee Flyer Mountain Coaster
Mountain coasters are “the thing” these days in the Smokies. You’ll find them all over the place.
The Tennessee Flyer twists, turns, and drops through the mountain forest, while you control the speed. You can take a “leisurely stroll” or pretend you’re a NASCAR driver – it’s up to you!
The Rock Climbing Tower
Test your skill on the 35-foot-tall rock climbing tower. It’s open to both kids and adults.
The Jump Pillow
I wanted to play on the Jump Pillow, but you must be 48″ tall or under to get on it. Your little ones will love the bouncy surface with its soft landing!
Chair Swings
This family-friendly ride swings you up to 5′ in the air! Riders must be at least 42″ tall to ride.
Summer Tubing
Race down the Magic Carpet with your friends and family to the bottom while sitting on an inner tube. It’s just like snow tubing, but in the summer! WooHoo!
The Igloo Snow Zone
The Igloo Snow Zone is literally a giant igloo…filled with snow…in the summer. Snowmaking machines supply the snow. You supply the fun!
Snow Skiing
Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing…Ober Mountain is the #1 ski area in Tennessee.
Ober Mountain boasts 10 ski runs…
- Two beginner runs
- Five Intermediate runs
- Three Expert runs
Ski clothing and equipment rentals are available, along with lessons for both skiing and snowboarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the entrance to Ober Mountain?
- You begin your Ober Mountain adventure at The Gatlinburg Tram, which is located at 1001 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- What about parking?
- All parking in Gatlinburg is done in public lots. Several public lots are scattered along the Parkway.
- There is a public lot adjacent to the Gatlinburg Tram entrance.
- Can I bring along my dog?
- Only service dogs. They are allowed on the tram and in public areas at the top, but not on individual rides.
- Is Ober Mountain wheelchair accessible?
- Both the aerial tram and the public spaces are wheelchair accessible. Individual rides are subject to restrictions.
The Wrap – Is Ober Mountain Worth the Time and Money?
Whether you call it Ober Mountain or Ober Gatlinburg, this attraction is worth it – there is just so much to do here! We especially enjoyed riding the lift to the top of Mount Harrison for the spectacular views, as well as the Wildlife Habitat. Adrenaline junkies will enjoy activities such as mountain biking, ziplining, and snowboarding. And there are plenty of things for children to do!
You can visit the Ober Mountain website for more info and to purchase tickets!
You are going to have so much fun!
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