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Skiing in Gatlinburg

tomsteph1988

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Thinking of going skiing in Gatlinbug in January. We have a free stay and can drive there from Michigan.
Thanks
 

sfwilshire

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Did you have a question? I'm not a skier and haven't been to Gatlinburg in years, but I know that they make snow from watching the news. I think they also have sleds of some sort that can be used.

Years ago, Gatlinburg was dead in the winter, but that has changed in the last couple of decades. Under normal conditions, they have quite a few visitors in January. Depending on your dates, the Winterfest lights may still be up.

Know that Tennesseans don't deal well with snow, so roads can be treacherous if it snows in the lower elevations. It usually doesn't last long. January is our only truly yucky month weather-wise, but that's coming from the standpoint of living here and trying to get to work every day. The last couple of years, we've only had 2 or 3 significant snows in the valley, but the mountains get more. You won't think it's cold here coming from Michigan. Four years ago we had daffodils in January.

With any luck the pandemic will be over by then. Right now, cases are increasing dramatically, partly due to all of the tourists rolling in from driving locations.

Sheila
 

eschjw

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January is usually the best month to go skiing in Gatlinburg. They do make snow and the best chance of natural snow is also in January. Tubing is available until mid March, but tickets for weekend tubing need to be purchased weeks in advance. The slopes can also be very crowded on weekends and holidays.
 

LMD

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Following this because we have an exchange in Gatlinburg in Feb and was hoping to introduce my 8 year old to skiing!
 

eschjw

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Following this because we have an exchange in Gatlinburg in Feb and was hoping to introduce my 8 year old to skiing!
February the last couple of years has been unusually warm in Tennessee. President's Day weekend is always very busy. Last year Ober Gatlinburg closed the slopes after Feb.16th the day before President's Day. In times past, skiing until the end of Feb. has been possible. Do check out the tubing and ice skating even if skiing is not open.
 

LMD

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February the last couple of years has been unusually warm in Tennessee. President's Day weekend is always very busy. Last year Ober Gatlinburg closed the slopes after Feb.16th the day before President's Day. In times past, skiing until the end of Feb. has been possible. Do check out the tubing and ice skating even if skiing is not open.
Oh wow! Good to know. Our exchange is for Presidents week. How warm did it get this past Feb?
 

eschjw

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We had natural snow and cold enough night time temps to make snow in early Feb. It was followed by consistent highs in the fifties and sixties plus a lot of rain. My daughter's family drove up early on Friday the 14th and got in a good day of uncrowded skiing. Saturday they were going to tube, but it was very rainy so it was cancelled. They did go skiing on the 16th the final day the slopes were open. The combination of temps and rain caused the base to deteriorate.

President's Day is Feb. 15 in 2021. Your chances of skiing should be ok, but you never know. They do jack up the lift ticket prices for that holiday weekend. On Tuesday the 16th after the holiday in 2021 the prices will go back down to the regular cheap weekday prices. You can follow the conditions and purchase tickets at this link.

 
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