Pigeon Forge is in eastern Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains region and features tourist attractions, including amusement parks and access to hiking trails in the mountains. During the winter, Pigeon Forge tourists are within 20 minutes of skiing and snowboarding activities at Ober Gatlinburg, the only ski resort in East Tennessee. According to the Knoxville New Sentinel, Ober Gatlinburg is the fourth-highest tourist draw in the Volunteer State.
Ober Gatlinburg (obergatlinburg.com) offers eight trails for skiing and snowboarding activities. Five lifts are available for mountain transportation, including a tram that accommodates up to 120 passengers. The ski resort produces 100 percent of its snow. One of the most difficult runs at Ober Gatlinburg is the 3,800-foot Grizzly, a black diamond slope. Ober Gatlinburg's staff provides skiing and snowboarding lessons. Rentals for skiing and snowboarding equipment are available. The ski season runs from December through March. Hours of operation for the slopes, as of March 2011, are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends; the slopes open at noon on the weekdays.
During the summer, Ober Gatlinburg's trams and ski lifts are open for visitors who want scenic views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg. Another summertime ride is the Alpine Slide, two 1,800-foot slides that offer fast rides down the mountain; this attraction includes riding up the mountain on a ski lift. Wildlife exhibits are a the Wildlife Encounter section of Ober Gatlinburg; exhibits include river otters, raccoons and black bears. Inside Ober Gatlinburg's recreation center, visitors have access to an ice skating rink; skate rentals are available through the resort.
Casual American and German fare is available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant and Lounge. Dining room features include a cathedral-style ceiling, large stone fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner every day of the week. Entrees include beef rouladen, pork schnitzel, charbroiled chicken breast and gulf shrimp scampi.
Other eateries at Ober Gatlinburg includes the Market, a cafe-style restaurant overlooking the skating rink, and the Fudge Shop, which serves fudge snacks. The Market serves breakfast and provides Mexican dishes for lunch and dinner.
The closest Pigeon Forge hotel to Ober Gatlinburg is the Smoky Shadows Motel Tower and Conference Center (smokyshadows.com), less than 15 minutes away. This hotel provides amenities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a picnic area on the Little Pigeon River and continental breakfast. Many of the hotel's suites have whirlpool tubs and private balconies overlooking the river.
Mount Laurel Chalets (mtnlaurelchalets.com) are a collection of cabins and chalets within 10 minutes of Ober Gatlinburg. These mountainside lodges do not require any reservation or cleaning fees. Mount Laurel include small cabins for honeymooners or couples' getaways. These cabins are within 10 minutes of restaurants and shops in Gatlinburg.
