Best Skiing in the Smoky Mountains
Despite the vast number of visitors to the national park each winter, there are actually only 2 ski resorts in the Smoky Mountains. Thankfully both of these resorts offer wonderful amenities and spectacular skiing, all within a short drive from The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Ober Gatlinburg is located on the Tennesse side of the Smokies, while the Cataloochee Ski Area is located in North Carolina. Both sides of the mountain offer a variety of things to do, so you can’t go wrong either way.
Best Skiing in the Smoky Mountains | East TN Family Fun
Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort
Phone: 865-436-5423
1001 Parkway Suite 2
Gatlinburg TN, 37738
Peek Elevation: 3,300 feet
Drive Time: aprox. 1.25 hours from Knoxville
This Gatlinburg area favorite is close to all your favorite downtown shopping, attractions, and restaurants. This facility offers skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and an amazing kids’ zone! The facility also offers other year round attractions, including a wildlife encounter, ice skating, and an aerial tramway.
Best Winter Hikes in the Smoky Mountains
Cataloochee Ski Area
Phone: 1-800-768-0285
1080 Ski Lodge Rd
Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Peek Elevation: 5,400 feet
Drive Time: approx. 2 hours from Knoxville; approx. 1 hour & 45 minutes from Gatlinburg
This facility offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Although the facility does not offer overnight accommodations, there are recommended accommodations near by in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
Money Saving Tips for Skiing in the Smoky Mountains
There are several ways to save money on your Smoky Mountain ski trip. Throughout the shops and restaurants in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, you will find FREE coupon books, which often feature discounts for Ober Gatlinburg.
In addition to the coupon books, area hotels typically offer exclusive attraction discounts to their guests. Be sure to ask while you are booking your room. Typically the coupon books and hotel discounts cannot be combined, so you’ll want to go with the better deal.
If those 2 methods fail, you can occasionally find great deals on Groupon or Living social, but those deals seem to be few and far between.
Ski Resorts Near the Smoky Mountains and Knoxville
If you can’t find what you’re looking for at Ober or Cataloochee, there are several other ski resorts near Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains that may meet your needs, especially if you’re looking for higher elevation. The resorts below are all within a day’s drive from East Tennessee and are sure to impress!
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort
Phone: 828-898-4521
1009 Sugar Mountain Drive
Sugar Mountain, NC 28604
Peek Elevation: 5,300 feet
Drive Time: approx. 2 hours & 45 minutes from Knoxville; approx. 3 hours from Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains)
This ski resort in the Banner Elk area of North Carolina, is popular with more advanced skiers, although they have slopes available for all experience levels. The facility offers, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing and ice skating.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort
Phone: 828-387-2011
1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy
Beech Mountain, NC 28604
Peek Elevation: 5,506 feet
Drive Time: approx. 2 hours & 45 minutes from Knoxville; approx. 3 hours from Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains)
Also located in the Banner Elk area of North Carolina, this ski resort offers a little something extra. In addition to offering skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, the facility is also home to Beech Mountain Brewing Company. You can sample the craft brew at the resort’s 5,506 ft. elevation Sky Bar. The resorts’ peak elevation is 5,506 feet.
Related Read: Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community
Appalachian Ski Mountain Resort
Phone: 828-295-7828
940 Ski Mountain Rd
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Peek Elevation: 4,000 feet
Distance: approx. 3 hours & 15 minutes from Knoxville; approx. 3 & 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains)
This resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating (no snow tubing). If you’re a more advanced sportsman, there is also an awesome terrain park for both skiing and snowboarding.
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
Phone: 800-817-4111
578 Valley View Circle
Mars Hill, NC 28754
Peek Elevation: 4,700 feet
Distance: approx. 2 & 1/2 hours from Knoxville; approx. 2 hours & 15 minutes from Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains)
This ski resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing.
Cloudmont Ski Resort
Phone: 256 -634-4344
721 County Road 614
Mentone, AL 35984
Peek Elevation: 1,800 feet
Drive Time: approx. 2 & 1/2 hours from Knoxville; approx. 3 & 1/2 hours from Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountains)
This ski resort offers skiing and snowboarding.
Whether you are skiing in the Smoky Mountains or nearby, have fun exploring!