snow skiing (Knoxville, Gatlinburg: appointed, ski resort, amusement park)

[snapdragon]

Does anyone here ski? If so where do you go? Are there any easy places to go for a day trip of skiing? Anyone been to Ober Gatlinburg?

[aquarijen]

Yeah, I go to Ober all the time during the season. My sweetie is a snowboarding instructor.
What is your skill level? There are a lot of places to go for day trip skiing/snowboarding.
Ober Gatlinburg is not quite open yet - the most current info I have is that the slopes *may* open Saturday at noon, but to check back after 8:30am tomorrow. If they open, it may be a good day for a beginner because many people who are planning trips would not have had the chance to really "plan" yet since it is such an early opening. Ober is not really a "challenge" for advanced skiiers/snowboarders, but it is a great place to learn. DO take a lesson (group lessons are fine) if you have never skied before - before you put others in danger. I owe my ACL reconstruction surgery I had in April to a fantastic person who decided to hit the slopes without a lesson and plummet into me. :/

Catalootchie in North Carolina is already open. I think Ski Beech is already open also.

Have fun and be safe!

[William Sold]

Snap,

If you ski, and I mean you actually ski on a regular basis, Ober is not for you. They claim to have several runs, but really only have about 3. From top to bottom, connecting on three so called runs, it is really only one. Ski Beech, Sugar Mountain, and Hawksnest are located in the Banner Elk/Boone regioon of North Carolina and have much more to offer, with better snow, and it's only about a 2 hour drive from Knoxville. For the best skiing in the southeast, Winterplace and Snowshoe are 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 hours away respectively. Snowshoe boasts 50+ runs, and has real black diamonds, whereas Ober's one black diamond is a fairly easy blue. Snowshoe has Cupp run, which is actually a mile long. Worth the drive, though not a day trip. Beech and Sugar are your best bets for day trips.

[Beretta]

I totally agree. NC is better than Gatlinburg. However, if you like powder you have to go west. You will be very disappointed in NC.

[snapdragon]

Thanks!
I have have never been on skis before. I grew up on the beach so I'm sure I will be impressed with Gatlinburg. Thanks for the info on the other places though, I'm sure in the years that we live here we will make it to one of those.
Oh and don't worry, I'll have lessons! crazy not too.

[beckycat]

Do they have snowtubing in Gatlinburg?

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Do they have snowtubing in Gatlinburg?

Yes, they do. Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park

[MrsMtnsOnTheMind]

Is the scenic chairlift in Ober better than the one in downtown Gatlinburg?

[Kitties of Domination]

Gatlinburg often has problems staying open for any length of time. Its just not high enough in elevation at this latitude. Some years are better than others.

[aquarijen]

Hey William, I have to respectfully disagree on the "Ober's one black diamond is a fairly easy blue" - it is that kind of misinformation that gets the beginners out on Mogul plummeting down the mountain and taking out people's ACLs. While there are a couple different routes down a couple of the different trails, I would never classify Mogul as a blue. It is short, yes, but it is straight down.
I am an experienced snowboarder - not a beginner. I would have started teaching this year, but I'll have to wait since the knee doesn't have a whole year of healing under it yet. Mogul is not blue.

I do agree that if you are an experienced skier or snowboarder, you may get bored at Gatlinburg quickly. If you are there a lot though, you will learn the patterns of people - when the crowds are there and when they are not and you can really go fast and do a little more. Gatlinburg is "for us" though since it is the only place that is close enough to head off to after work on the weeknights!!!