view of downtown Gatlinburg covered in snow

January 15, 2024

6 Ways to Enjoy Gatlinburg Snow Days

Gatlinburg transforms into a beautiful winter wonderland when it snows. The town and the surrounding Smoky Mountains are truly breathtaking when covered with a fresh blanket of glistening snow. There are quite a few things you can do when it snows in Gatlinburg to fully enjoy your snowy winter vacation. Here’s a list of some of our favorite ways to enjoy Gatlinburg snow days:

1. Winter Sports at Ober Mountain

snowboards

If you want to fully embrace a Gatlinburg snow day, you should make your way up to Ober Mountain. There are a number of winter activities at Ober Mountain that are sure to offer excitement and snowy fun! Ride a chairlift up the mountainside to race down the slopes on a snowboard or skis. Glide down a snow-covered hill on a tube for a thrill that requires no skill. Ice skate indoors for winter fun without being out in the cold. Other fun activities at Ober Mountain include The Snow Zone, Scenic Chairlift, Carousel, Wildlife Habitat, and Aerial Tramway.

2. Indoor Fun at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies

One great place to go on a Gatlinburg snow day is Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. This indoor attraction lets you escape the cold weather while exploring fun and educational exhibits. Your whole family will enjoy seeing colorful sea creatures from around the world and experiencing unique interactive exhibits. Travel under the sea in Shark Lagoon where an underwater tunnel lets you see sharks, stingrays, and a sea turtle up close. Come face-to-face with playful penguins at Penguin Playhouse. Interact with sea creatures like stingrays and jellyfish at the touch tanks. There are plenty of interesting things to see and do for guests of all ages!

3. Moonshine Tasting

Ole Smoky Moonshine sign on building at night

A great way to warm up on a Gatlinburg snow day is visiting one of the Gatlinburg distilleries for a moonshine tasting. Places like Ole Smoky and Sugarlands Distilling Co. offer unique flavors of moonshine and whiskey that you can sample. Nothing will warm you up like some strong moonshine or whiskey on a cold, snowy day! You can also take a tour of one of the distilleries for a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process and to learn more about the legacy and history of distilleries in the Appalachian area.

4. Go Hiking

Do you want to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains covered in snow? Just outside of downtown Gatlinburg you can find hiking trails that will allow you to explore the wonder of snow-covered nature. Some trails may be closed this time of year due to winter weather conditions, but many are still accessible and offer breathtaking sights. A few hikes you may want to explore when it snows include the Gatlinburg Trail, Old Sugarlands Trail, Alum Cave Trail, Laurel Falls Trail, and Porters Creek Trail. These trails take you back in the woods to discover the tranquility of nature, and some lead to beautiful views of mountain landscapes or even waterfalls.

5. Visit a Gatlinburg Coffee Shop

Barista with a coffee cup

Another great way to enjoy a Gatlinburg snow day is sipping on a warm drink in a cozy coffee shop. Watch the snow fall outside while you stay nice and warm inside with your hot beverage. You can find a number of locally owned coffee shops in Gatlinburg where you can order gourmet coffee drinks, from handcrafted lattes to cappuccinos to traditional drip coffee. Most of these coffee shops offer seasonal specialty flavors so you can feel especially cozy during your snowy day in Gatlinburg.

6. Stay Warm in Your Cozy Cabin

If you don’t feel like going out, you can enjoy your Gatlinburg snow day right in the comfort of your cabin rental! Our Smoky Mountain cabins offer a variety of winter amenities that are sure to keep you warm and add fun to any winter day. Nothing beats curling up in front of a cozy fireplace to stay warm as you enjoy your favorite movie or a great book. Climb into a hot tub or step into an indoor heated pool to unwind and warm up while it’s snowing outside. Many of our cabins also have theater rooms and game rooms where you can spend hours watching movies or competing in games to have plenty of fun while staying warm indoors.

There are so many great ways to stay warm and have fun while staying at our cabins this winter. If you’re interested in staying in a private cabin where you can enjoy cozy amenities like fireplaces, hot tubs, theater rooms, and more, check out our Gatlinburg cabin rentals to find the perfect place to stay for your winter vacation!