Skiing & Snowboarding in the Smoky Mountains

If you love skiing, snowboarding, ice skating or any winter sport, there are lots of options around the Smoky Mountain area. Even though the town of Gatlinburg didn't get all the snow they anticipated last night - there is still plenty of snow in the higher elevations of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park as well as Gburg's ski resort, OberGatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park

Need a lesson or brush-up for your snow skills? Why not try something new - alpine skis, shaped skis or snow boarding. Smoky Mountain Snow Sport School in Gatlinburg offers lessons for families, groups or individuals.

The Cataloochee Ski Resort is on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains in Maggie Valley. Maggie Valley is home to Ghost Town In The Sky which reopened last year. This is about an hour's drive from the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge area - why not enjoy all the attractions and cozy cabins near Pigeon Forge/Gburg and try both ski areas.

Have some Smoky Mountain fun in the SNOW !

Best "Shows" in The Smoky Mountains !

While there's always plenty of entertainment to choose from in either the North Carolina or Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains, the greatest entertainment here is the "Natural' kind... My friend and fellow cabin owner - Bob Williams has kindly shared a few of his "Top Nature Shows" in the Smoky Mountain area below. Bob is an avid hiker, biker, businessman and all around nice guy but his greatest asset is his God given gift of service to others. Check out his "natural faves"....

Best "Shows" in The Smoky Mountains ! By Bob Williams
I have some natural shows for you.
Sunsets ...There are few better places to watch a sunset than atop Mt LeConte at Myrtle Point. Can't spend a night or hike that far try Clingman's Dome.

Waterfalls... Ramsey Cascades in the Greenbrier section is my favorite. It is the highest falls in the park, but getting there is half the fun. The Greenbrier section is old growth forest and there are trees there where 5 grown adult humans can barely reach around the tree.

Wildlife, Cades Cove is great, but Cataloochee has elk and more angry bears. It is on the north east side of the park in NC. It also has a lot less people

Lakes....If you got a boat, Lake Fontana is a fantastic lake. Surrounded mostly by Federal land it is wild and scenic. There are remote trails, waterfalls and excellent fishing to boot. You can explore remote parts of the National Park and barely see another soul.

White water rafting...the Pigeon is a nice river,the Nantahala is the world's most rafted river with class 2s and 3s, but the Ocoee is perhaps the wildest ride within a few hours of Gburg.

Best swimming hole, besides Lake Fontana, I would vote for the "Sinks" on Little River in Townsend where you can jump off rock outcroppings into cool mountain water.

Best day hike with a view...this is a 4 way tie and usually you gotta pay double for that, Andrews Bald off Clingmans Dome with 180 degree views of Lake Fontana, The Nantahala and Plott Balsam Mountains, Gregory Bald over looking Cades Cove both bald hikes feature the native flame azaleas, Chimney Tops and Charlies Bunion are great rocky cliffs(Bob, are these rock cliffs slightly dangerous or what? cg). Fun for the entire family.

Best Drives - Roaring Fork motor nature trail featuring a drive along the steepest stream in the eastern US. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the Grand Dame of scenic roads in America. That's my list of natural shows.

Bob Williams
Welcome to Smoky Mountain Time!
Mountain Bear Cabins http://www.mountainbearcabins.com/
Dillsboro Chocolate Factoryhttp://www.dillsborochocolate.com/

Thanks Bob, this should keep us busy for a while.... Bob and wife Tonya own some great vacation cabins on the NC side of the Smoky Mountains around the towns of Bryson City, Dillsboro and Cherokee, they also own the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory & Espresso Bar in the quaint little town of Dillsboro, NC. (That's where the Smoky Mountain Railroad is located). They not only have killer chocolate, candy and great coffee right there in Dillsboro but you can order a beautiful gift basket of goodies right from their website and they'll ship it for ya - check out the cabins and chocolate on their websites -
Mountain Bear Cabins & Dillsboro Chocolate Factory You won't be sorry - unless you get hooked on those creamy, hand dipped - chocolate turtles - yum!!

We would love to hear from you, what are you favorite "Natural Shows" around the Smoky Mountain areas?? Send me an email at heavenlycabins@charter.net
Cheryl


Remnants of Fall in The Smokies - photo by c gilliam