5 Reasons to Visit the Smokies in Winter

5 Reasons to Visit the Smokies in Winter

Winter is the most underrated season. Perhaps most people prefer summer because of the time off school and the mood-boosting power of the sun. That said, it's hard to beat the anticipation of skiing through freshly fallen powder or a snowy evening of snuggles and hot cocoa by the fireplace.

5 Reasons to Visit the Smokies in Winter

In this way, winter comes with its unique list of blessings, all of which are even more special in the picture-perfect backdrop of frost-dusted peaks. If you're the kind of person whose spirit perks up in the cold season, plan your next vacation for the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee. These are just a few reasons why you should visit the Smokies in the winter!

Nothing Is More Beautiful Than Snowy Peaks

Of all the innumerable, family-friendly things to do in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, viewing the gorgeous scenery is the one thing you can't skip. This subrange of Appalachia rises up like layered blue waves from the earth to create a skyline of smoky silhouettes. From a distance, the forest appears to be a downy pelt covering each gentle mountain crest. Rivers and creeks carve through the valleys to carry crystal clear waters along the hiking trails.

Aside from hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you can take in this magnificent scene from the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. The park features a scenic chairlift ride that takes you from the center of town to the top of Mount Crockett. From 1,800 feet above sea level on the SkyDeck, the views of downtown Gatlinburg glittering with holiday lights are nothing short of spectacular. Warm up by the fire pits, and grab a bite of light fare and hot cocoa. Before you leave, take a stroll along the SkyBridge, a 700-foot-long pedestrian bridge hanging 500 feet in the air, for panoramic views of the snow-capped mountain peaks.

Nothing Is More Freeing Than Shredding the Slopes

Nothing Is More Freeing Than Shredding the Slopes

After the breathtaking mountain scenery, the second best part about the Smokies in winter is something every extreme sports enthusiast already knows. The snowy slopes of Mount Harrison are perfectly suited to winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. Catch the aerial tramway from downtown Gatlinburg to go up the mountain and enter Ober Gatlinburg, an amusement park with shopping, dining, rides, and snowy activities of all kinds.

At the ski and snowboarding center, you can rent all the clothing and equipment you need and even take lessons if you're a beginner to shredding the gnar. Once you're all geared up, test your prowess on the beginner slope, 6 intermediate runs, and 2 advanced courses. If skiing and snowboarding are a little outside your comfort zone, you can still catch some thrills on the snow tubing slope. Afterward, head inside to hit the ice skating rink, ice bumper cars, and alpine slide.

Nowhere Else Does Dinner Theater for Christmas

Nowhere Else Does Dinner Theater for Christmas

Quaint little mountain towns truly are made for the holidays. There's no more charming way to spend Christmas than among the multi-million dollar lighting displays of Winterfest in downtown Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. Local area entertainment parks like Dollywood and Anakeesta also go red and green for the season with festivities, lights, and decorations. Shops open their doors to warm visitors, and even the dinner theaters are known to put on incredible holiday transformations.

Pigeon Forge is known for its theatrical talent and is home to several excellent dinner theaters. However, nowhere else does the holidays as well as Dolly Parton's Stampede. With a cast of 32 magnificent horses, you're in for a real treat. The North and South Poles duke it out in a friendly competition of horse stunts set to amazing special effects, music, and a four-course feast for each audience member.

At Dolly Parton's Stampede, dinnertime means indulging in whole rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pork loin, creamy vegetable soup, corn-on-the-cob, homemade biscuits, herb-basted potato, and a delicious apple pastry. Meanwhile, keep your eyes peeled for appearance from the Sugar Plum Fairy, the three kings and their real life camels, and the big red man himself.

Nothing Is Cozier Than A Mountain Cabin

Nothing Is Cozier Than A Mountain Cabin

Picture this: it's a frigid evening in January, and the snowflakes have already started dashing past your windows. Perhaps you just came back from hitting the slopes, and you're warming your frozen limbs by the fireplace. You and your partner have a date planned for later with a bottle of wine and the hot tub. Or maybe you'll gather the whole family for board games, movies, or a few games of pool. You don't have work the next day and can look forward to waking up in this quaint log cabin with rustic decor once again!

Winter is the best time of year to escape from real life into the seclusion and homey comforts of a cabin in the Smokies. Rent your home-away-from-home from Old Mill Lodging. Their Sevierville cabins sleep 2 to 6 people, perfect for a couple's getaway or family vacation. They come with jacuzzi tubs, gas or wood-burning fireplaces, king sized beds, HD televisions, and large porches outfitted with rockers. Old Mill Lodging also offers mountain homes for those looking for even more luxury and cottages for those who prefer more modern sensibilities.

Nothing Else Warms Your Soul Like Moonshine

Nothing Else Warms Your Soul Like Moonshine

You could be taking in the mountain scenery from the porch, or you might have a date with your Kindle on the armchair by the fire. Maybe you're whipping up some dinner or setting up a board game for your family. No matter what your stay in your Smoky Mountain mountain cabin looks like, it's guaranteed to look a whole lot better with a glass of moonshine in your hand. On a cold, wintry evening, a moonshine cocktail or finger of whisky is exactly what you need to warm your insides and put on a comfortable buzz.

On your way back from the Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, Ober Gatlinburg, or Dolly Parton's Stampede, take a quick detour to Sugarlands Distilling Company. After a free tour of the still house and paid tasting, pick up a few mason jars of the good stuff, like Maple Bacon Moonshine, American Peach Moonshine, or Appalachian Apple Pie Moonshine. This Gatlinburg distillery boasts deep roots in the traditional art of Appalachian distilling, with recipes from bootleggin' legends like Mark Rogers, Digger Manes, Mark Ramsey, Steven Tickle, and Jim Tom Hedrick. It doesn't get more authentic than that!

If you're the kind of person whose spirit perks up in the cold season, plan your next vacation for the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee. These are just a few reasons why you should visit the Smokies in the winter!

In Conclusion

The snow coats the mountain scenery to create blissfully quaint images we don't normally get to enjoy. On the other hand, the blustery winds give us a reason to stay inside, sipping on flavored moonshine and starting a blaze in the log cabin's fireplace. The holidays also offer an excuse to spend quality time with loved ones over seasonal entertainment. Meanwhile, the blizzards provide ideal conditions for tearing up the slopes on skis or snowboards all day long. When there are so many reasons to love the iciest season, nothing is more idyllic than a winter getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains!

Wojciech Kuźma

Hey there! My name is Wojtek and I am very happy that you came to my travel blog. I've been traveling the world for a few good years now and I still want more.

On my website I describe the adventures that have happened to me, you will also find here a collection of valuable tips for tourists and travelers. If you liked this article, be sure to leave a comment and read some more!


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