| Located in the rolling hills of eastern Tennessee is | | | | Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park |
| a small town with a population of only 4,900. You | | | | Whether you have a need for speed or prefer to |
| wouldn't think such a place would make for a | | | | enjoy the scenery while skiing, everybody loves |
| great vacation spot. You don't generally find | | | | Ober Gatlinburg. Cabin rentals and chalets are |
| enticing sights and activities the whole family will | | | | available in and around the area so you can ski till |
| enjoy in tiny towns such as this. What makes this | | | | your heart's content. With eight trails geared for |
| town the exception is the 500,000-acre | | | | all skill levels, you can push an adrenaline rush with |
| playground in its backyard known as the Great | | | | the wind burning your cheeks or slowly zigzag |
| Smoky Mountains National Park. The town is | | | | your way to the bottom. Two black diamond |
| Gatlinburg, TN and because of its location it offers | | | | trails keep the most experienced skiers |
| exciting activities and attractions for all age groups | | | | entertained while a total of four beginner and |
| that will ensure a vacation you'll remember for a | | | | intermediate slopes give the entire family a way |
| lifetime. | | | | to enjoy the snow. Never skied before? Enroll in |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | | | | Ski School and hone your talent at the hand of a |
| The eight to 10 million people who visit this park | | | | professional instructor. |
| annually can't be wrong. You'll soon discover why | | | | Year round ice-skating is also available. The |
| the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is such | | | | centerpiece of a huge enclosed mall, this rink puts |
| a popular area of Gatlinburg. Cabin rentals in and | | | | shopping and dining right at your fingertips for the |
| around the area give you ready access to some | | | | ultimate in convenience. |
| of the best hiking and wildlife you'll ever see. | | | | Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies |
| With over 800 miles of trails, this hiker's paradise | | | | What would it be like to walk under water and |
| unlocks pathways to hours (or days) of fun, | | | | actually see stunning varieties of live sea life all |
| excitement and beauty. Novice hikers will enjoy | | | | around you? You might think it's not possible, but |
| the gently sloping trails with clear views that wind | | | | at Ripley's Aquarium it is! As you make your way |
| past powerful waterfalls. Seeking a more | | | | through a tunnel that goes under the aquarium |
| strenuous activity? Trek along a wooded trail to | | | | you'll find yourself engulfed by over 10,000 sea |
| the crest of a mountain where you'll be rewarded | | | | creatures of more than 350 species. Watch as |
| with breathtaking views any time of year. | | | | mighty sharks, giant sea turtles and huge schools |
| Sunsets and sunrises receive special appreciation | | | | of playful fish swim over and around you. Have a |
| from hikers because they deliver a palette of | | | | face-to-face encounter with a colossal octopus or |
| amazing colors that spray vibrant reds, subtle | | | | watch seahorses, tropical fish and even piranhas |
| grays and calming blues across the sky. There | | | | swim within reach. |
| are some serious photo opps here! | | | | The Coral Reef area of the aquarium has |
| Observing wildlife in their natural habitat offers an | | | | hundreds of multicolored fish displaying every |
| experience that will not soon be forgotten, | | | | color of the rainbow. Native to the Indo-Pacific, |
| especially since the park is home to so many | | | | these species and many others participate in |
| varieties. Open areas offer the best opportunities | | | | exciting dive shows that occur regularly in the |
| to see white-tailed deer, raccoon, turkeys, black | | | | Coral Reef. |
| bear, elk and other creatures of the forest. | | | | The Shark Lagoon is filled with not only sharks, |
| Rather view from the comfort of your car? | | | | but fish of every shape and size. The 340-foot |
| Meander down the Roaring Fork Motor Nature | | | | long glide path allows you to stare down a green |
| Trail with your camera ready. You're sure to | | | | sea turtle, giant stingray and - of course - some |
| catch a glimpse a black bear lazily sunning himself. | | | | very large sharks! Don't get so focused you miss |
| While the wonders of nature are by far the calling | | | | the rest of the sea creatures on display. |
| cards of the park, there is also lots of history to | | | | Even though Gatlinburg is small in size, it makes a |
| take in. Take a few moments to tour some of | | | | very large impact on those who visit. Whether it's |
| the nearly 80 historic structures in the park. Just | | | | for a weekend or a week's stay in Gatlinburg, |
| imagine how our ancestors lived as you watch an | | | | cabin rentals throughout the mountains put you in |
| actual gristmill at work or tour the homes of early | | | | the center of some of Mother Nature's best |
| settlers. You'll quickly gain a renewed appreciation | | | | work. That's probably why so many return time |
| for the modern conveniences of today! | | | | and time again. |