Alpine Slide Thrill at Ober Gatlinburg

The Smoky Mountains activities remind me of different places.  While anticipating the aerial tramway ride, I reflected upon my ride experience in Tahoe.  When I told my family about the alpine slide ride, I explained that I rode one in Austria.  When I described a Zorb ride, I reminded them that a cousin rolled in one in Rotorua, New Zealand.  Connecting everything to some exotic place then became a joke as my husband smirked "oh, yes, I did that in Switerland" to every activity.

You don't need to fly over the ocean to try out these new adventures.  Just drive to the Smoky Mountains.  At Ober Gatlinburg, you can ride the alpine slide down the mountain on a wheeled cart.  It's a blast!  This was the most fun ride at the park.  As you ascend the mountain on your chairlift, you can watch riders go down screaming and laughing with joy.  Jump off the chairlift and get in your own cart.  As an employee explained physics - weight and gravity help.  If you are racing down the track with your competitive son, you finally have the advantage (-:

The Facts

WHO: big kids & adults; 6 & under ride free with adult (due to chairlift with no seat belt, I wouldn't recommend this for little kids)

WHAT:  two 1,800 foot concrete slides

WHERE: Ober Gatlinburg, take the ariel tramway (see my story)

how much - $7 ticket or buy an all day Ober Gatlinburg package

Alpine slides also exist in Chamonix, France or Thredbo, Australia.  Zorb is also available in Guam and coming soon to Jamaica.  Why not just take a road trip to Gatlinburg, TN and create your own adventure story?!?

Up, Up, & Away - Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

"Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey."  You hear sayings about the journey being as great as the destination - this is often true in the Smoky Mountains, whether driving on scenic two lane roads or finding unique transportation up and down the mountains.  Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is a prime example of the journey being a joy.  We considered driving up to Mt. Harrison to get to our destination - Ober Gatlinburg.  Glad we took the aerial tramway instead.  Not only did we hear the drive up Mt. Harrison described as precarious, we also discovered the kids had a blast on our journey to the destination. 

Facts

- one of America's largest tramways holding 120 people

- according to our guide, it's the newest US tramway built in 2007

- takes you to an elevation of 2,700 ft. in 10 minutes, moving 23 mph

- leaves every 20 minutes, $11 adult ticket, $8.50 age 7-11

Prior to 1972, skiers had no choice but to take the steep winding road.  In 1973 a tramway was intalled and the new car was installed in 2007.  Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway has taken over 18 million passengers.

Save the gas & stress of driving up the mountain, park in Gatlinburg and enjoy the scenic ride.  Plus, may you have a jolly, joyful guide like ours that pointed out unique buildings below and added fun jokes about chalets and Ken & Barbie. 

Tips:  Get in line near opening and closing for less crowded cars, so you have a better chance of a window view.  Call ahead to find out whether the company is offering the buy one day, get next day free (tramway, not Ober Gatlinburg amusement pass - these are separate fees) - it could give you an opportunity to ride multiple times.