07-03-2025
New Ober Mountain upgrades allow for longer snow sports season in 2025
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — With tourism being a crucial part of the Sevier County economy, many attractions are gearing up for their spring season.
One of them is already in full swing. Ober Mountain is open year-round and they are adding more opportunities for visitors this year.
'There's been so much investment put into Ober Mountain now over the last few years,' said Ober Mountain CEO and President Mark Adams. 'These include lifts, new chairlifts, scenic new chairlifts for snow sports, and the investments will continue into the next 4 or 5, ten years.'
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With new snowmaking capabilities, Adams said they have been able to extend their snow sports season on Ober Mountain. Because of their draw for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing he said Ober is essential to Sevier County's economy in the winter.
'We already know Sevier County gets upwards of 10-12 million visitors a year, and we'd like to say that Ober really is that anchor for the winter,' he said. 'We are really that anchor attraction that keeps visitors coming year-round.'
This year, he said they have already added two new chairlifts; The Ober Challenge Lift for both skiing and downhill mountain biking, and Sky Village Express for carrying visitors to the highest lift-served peak in the Smokies, The Sky Village Scenic Deck.
The deck will also be a launch site for their new Cloud Catcher Zipline.
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'It's some of the longest and highest zipline to the Smokies, and you practically zipline over top of the national park,' said Adams. 'One of them is over 3,500 feet long, and the second one's over 3,200 feet long, and then we finish up coming back to the resort, at about 2,000 feet.'
With Ober employing nearly 400 people, Adams said they hope to keep people coming back for more.
'Because they just want to see snow and be a part of everything that we have to offer here in Gatlinburg,' he said.
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While Ober has been a staple in the community for over 60 years, the company rebranded to 'Ober Mountain' in 2022.
Adams added Ober has already had over 100 days of snow sports this year alone and have completed their 12-year plan where they will continue to invest in the area.
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