The Attraction Up the Mountain: Ober Gatlinburg

To reach Ober Gatlinburg, you must board an aerial tram that takes you 3,000 feet up the mountain to reach your destination. This unusual tram ride takes you past the founder of Dunkin Donuts House while also seeing some sightings of bears below.

But what happens when you reach the top? What is there? Is it worth the 10-minute aerial tram ride up this mountain? Let’s find out!

What is Ober Gatlinburg?

The word “ober” is derived from the German language meaning up or top. So, Ober Gatlinburg means “Top of Gatlinburg.”

Besides that point, Ober Gatlinburg was opened in 1962 as a ski resort. The ski resort has 8 slopes and a different slope for those starting. 

The amusement park side didn’t open until the late 1970s when Claud Anders started putting up attractions to allow the park to be open year-round. 

How Do You Get To Ober Gatlinburg From Pigeon Forge/Sevierville?

Use the above map to help locate the closest parking to Ober Gatlinburg. Remember that parking is only accessible if a sign tells you so, so you will want to keep cash or a card on hand when parking your vehicle. 

How Much Does Ober Gatlinburg Cost?

This number will vary from person to person since this amusement park operates on a pay-as-you-ride system. Riding the aerial tramway up to Ober Gatlinburg will cost you $22 for adults and $20 for children. If you are going during the holidays, the cost is $25 for adults and $23 for children. 

Up in Ober Gatlinburg, they have many attractions open seasonally and all year around. Every attraction is listed below by season: 

Spring

• Wild Life Encounter – $10 for adults, $7 for kids under 11
• Ice Skating – $15 for all ages
• Ski Mountain Coaster- $16 for adults, $14 for kids under 11 [view my other recommended Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg alpine coaster post here]
• Ice Bumper Cars- $12 per person
• Scenic Chair Lift- $12 per person
• Alpine Slide- $12 per person
• Mini Golf- $5 per person
• Rock Wall- $5 per person
• Kiddie Umbrella Rides- $5 per all-day

Summer

• The Trails at Ober- $12 per person
• Wild Life Encounter – $10 for adults, $7 for kids under 11
• Ice Skating – $15 for all ages
• Ski Mountain Coaster- $16 for adults, $14 for kids under 11 
• Ice Bumper Cars- $12 per person
• Scenic Chair Lift- $12 per person
• Alpine Slide- $12 per person
• Mini Golf- $5 per person
• Rock Wall- $5 per person
• Kiddie Umbrella Rides- $5 per all-day
• Summer Tubing- $5 per person
• Water Raft Rides- $5 per ride
• Amaze’n Maze- $5 per person
• Carousel- $5 per person
• Chair Swings- $5 per person

Fall

• Wild Life Encounter – $10 for adults, $7 for kids under 11
• Ice Skating – $15 for all ages
• Ski Mountain Coaster- $16 for adults, $14 for kids under 11 
• Ice Bumper Cars- $12 per person
• Scenic Chair Lift- $12 per person
• Alpine Slide- $12 per person
• Mini Golf- $5 per person
• Rock Wall- $5 per person
• Kiddie Umbrella Rides- $5 per all-day
• Snow Tubing- $35 per person
• Amaze’n Maze- $5 per person
• Carousel- $5 per person
• Chair Swings- $5 per person

Winter

• Wild Life Encounter – $10 for adults, $7 for kids under 11
• Ice Skating – $15 for all ages
• Ski Mountain Coaster- $16 for adults, $14 for kids under 11 
• Ice Bumper Cars- $12 per person
• Scenic Chair Lift- $12 per person
• Snow Tubing- $35 per person
• Carousel- $5 per person
• The Snow Zone: $10 per person
• Ski Area- Starts at $35+

When going, you’ll want to decide what you want to do beforehand, so it is not sticker shock when you purchase what attractions you’d like to do while up there. They do not offer season passes or packages for amusement park rides. They only offer season passes for the ski area. 

What are the Dining Options?

Since you are 2 miles up the mountain and a tram is between you and the city of Gatlinburg, you probably want to know what dining offerings Ober Gatlinburg offers. 

Ober Gatlinburg doesn’t have many dining offerings, but they have a few to give you a quick fix while up in the sky!

Their dining options are:

1. The Ober Lounge, where you can get craft beers, spirits, and wine. 
2. Seasons of Ober Restaurant, this dining offering offers views of the Smoky Mountains that you will not get anywhere else. They even have a stage for seasonal live music shows. 
3. Sidewalk Cafe is a simple little place to get pizza, burgers, and other amusement park food. This establishment overlooks the ice skating rink. 
4. Ski Mountain Grind Haus, this little beverage shop, can be located before you enter the aerial tram. 
5. Fudge Shop is where they sell homemade fudge. Great for a tasty treat after a great afternoon.

Is it Worth the Price?

Is Ober Gatlinburg worth the price? I often get asked this question when I mention I went to Ober Gatlinburg in 2020. 

When I went, I chose to do the following attractions: 

• Scenic Chair Lift
• Alpine Slide
• Ski Mountain Coaster
• Ice Bumper Cars
• Aerial Tram

It was about $60ish per person (there were 2 of us). We stayed up there most of the afternoon, and it was a rather fun experience for someone coming from the theme park of the world, Orlando, Florida. 

I genuinely think it was worth the price. Of course, if there is more in your party, it will be pricey, but I highly recommend even just taking the round trip on the aerial tramway because the views from the top are out of this world. 

Staying in Southern Tennessee?

Whether you’ve been to southern Tennessee or you are planning your first trip, you do not want to miss my Southern Tennessee Travel Guide. It is full of places to eat, things to do, and places to stay. You don’t want to miss out on this insider knowledge!