Snow tubing and sledding (Knoxville, Johnson City: how much, best, money)

[beckycat]

This is a question for all the locals. Where is a good place to go snow tubing and sledding once it snows? (if you have your own tubes or sleds) Any good hills or secret spots? I'm not talking about Ober Gatlinburg either. I'm talking about a place that they don't charge a ton of money or is over crowded.

[DubbleT]

Hey Becky
From the way you phrased your question I think you have the impression that east TN/Knoxville gets a lot more snow than it actually does. Most places where it snows in east TN are kind of hit or miss as to when, how much, and for how long the snow stays. (I'm an hour or two east of Knoxville and our biggest snow last year consisted of about five or six inches of snow that stuck around for maybe a week, if that.) It doesn't snow consistenly enough in most of east TN to make skiing and tubing reliably doable without giving mother nature a helping hand.
If you are trying to plan a trip around snow sports in TN I think your best bet is to stick with Gatlinburg and their snow making machines or head over to NC for a day or two. There are several resorts within a two or three hour drive of Knoxville.
OR
You could try Roan Mountain, it's small and a little bit isolated, and I don't know how reliable the snowfall is but I suppose you could contact their chamber of commerce to get more info. Roan Mountain, Tennessee - Attractions
If you're feeling very adventurous you might look into Clingman's Dome

[hiknapster]

I agree. And to make sure there is no confusion, Dubble T is not in this area. She is in the Tri-Cities.

In Knoxville, we usually get a few inches all season, and rarely does it stick or last. Sledding is something that the kids hope for and then run outside to quickly enjoy it. Most don't even own sleds.

Some say there use to be more snow, and that is probably true, but no matter how you look at it, you can't count on getting enough for sledding. In fact, in the past 5 seasons, my daughter has been able to sled about 2 days.

[beckycat]

Bummer! I would like to go snow tubing at Ober Gastlinburg but it appears to be packed and sell out. Is it better to travel to NC for snow tubing?

[NJDevil]

Clingman's Dome is closed in the winter. You can tube at Ober Gat - it doesn't sell out - you go in the morning and reserve a time slot. We got there around 9 and our time slot was 11 I think. It was really fun! And it's crowded in the beginning but people start dropping off, we got to go 6 times I think.

When I drive around Sevier county I see plenty of hills to sled on IF and WHEN we get the "big snow." But it hasn't happened yet.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

Clingman's Dome is closed in the winter. You can tube at Ober Gat - it doesn't sell out - you go in the morning and reserve a time slot. We got there around 9 and our time slot was 11 I think. It was really fun! And it's crowded in the beginning but people start dropping off, we got to go 6 times I think.

When I drive around Sevier county I see plenty of hills to sled on IF and WHEN we get the "big snow." But it hasn't happened yet.

Thanks, did you go during the week or weekend? Is it better to reserve a later time as opposed to the morning? I was thinking Seiver County too. When we drive out to the flea market, I've seen several hills. That is if we are lucky enought to get snow while visiting.

[NJDevil]

We went on a weekday. I am not sure if we had the earliest time slot....their website has the times, I believe, let me know if you can't find it. I don't know which is better. We always have the mentality of getting to things early to "beat the crowd." What month are you coming? If there's any snow at all, I doubt it would be much, you'd have to go as high as possible for the most snow. There is one location on Newfound Gap (441) in the Smokies where I've seen a child sled, it's a small hill though.

[beckycat]

Originally Posted by NJDevil

We went on a weekday. I am not sure if we had the earliest time slot....their website has the times, I believe, let me know if you can't find it. I don't know which is better. We always have the mentality of getting to things early to "beat the crowd." What month are you coming? If there's any snow at all, I doubt it would be much, you'd have to go as high as possible for the most snow. There is one location on Newfound Gap (441) in the Smokies where I've seen a child sled, it's a small hill though.

I did find their website with the times. They seem to go all day long. We don't have a definate date yet, but trying to make it in January.

[Kitties of Domination]

Originally Posted by beckycat

Bummer! I would like to go snow tubing at Ober Gastlinburg but it appears to be packed and sell out. Is it better to travel to NC for snow tubing?

The closest good skiing area on a consistent basis is Ski Beech in NC. Its much higher than Ober Gatlinburg.

[rxpwas]

Originally Posted by beckycat

This is a question for all the locals. Where is a good place to go snow tubing and sledding once it snows? (if you have your own tubes or sleds) Any good hills or secret spots? I'm not talking about Ober Gatlinburg either. I'm talking about a place that they don't charge a ton of money or is over crowded.

Wolf Laurel, off 1-26 about halfway between Johnson City and Asheville, N.C. (near Erwin, Tn. and Mars Hill, N.C.) is usually not too crowded and fairly (for Eastern U.S.) high mountain. (It's been a few years since I've been there, someone in Ky. told me they changed its name, but not sure to what).