Got the Winter Blues? Stir Things Up In Gatlinburg, TN

Fun Things To Do in Gatlinburg This Winter

Gatlinurg Winter Blues

Just because the holidays are over and winter is here for a while does not mean that you should hibernate – or even hide in your Gatlinburg cabin rental. No matter what the season, there is always plenty to see and do in Gatlinburg, TN.   There are so many great events coming up that you will want to go ahead and  book your luxury cabin rental to prepare for all of the fun times ahead.  Not sure when to come?  Check out the schedule below to see what is in store for the upcoming weeks:

Scion Snow Tour: Ever wanted to ride with pro snowboarders? This is your chance! Grab your gear and head to OberGatlinburg for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Held on January 28 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., you can meet your favorite snowboarders, dance to a live DJ and have the chance to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Kick it with your friends and family at the after-party which will be held at the Smoky Mountain Brewery.

Tennessee Winter Special Olympics: Each year the town of Gatlinburg is honored to host the annual winter Special Olympics Games. Held at OberGatlinburg from January 29 to 31, you do not need  a special invitation to cheer on the athletes. Watch these amazing athletes tackle a variety of winter sports including ice skating, skiing and snowboarding.

Titanic Museum: While this museum is open all year long, there is a lot going on during the winter months. Take in an ice carving competition, sign up for a chance to win a trip to Ireland or even sign up for a vow renewal ceremony anytime during February. Located just a short drive from your cabin, this Pigeon Forge museum is a must-see stop on your trip to Gatlinburg.

Sevierville Winterfest: Just like in Gatlinburg, TN, neighboring Sevierville offers locals and visitors alike the chance to take in fun winter activities. Take in live music while you shop, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, sign up for a hayride or just spend all day shopping. Since it is a quick drive frmo the Elk Springs Resort, it is easy to fit in a trip to Severville while you are staying in teh Great Smoky Moutnains.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: If you love the outdoors and aren’t afraid of some snow, the GSMNP is just hte place for you. Park offices are open all year long offering vistotors just like you a chance to explore the park whenever you want. Most park offices are staffed by rangers and park personnel from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter, so be sure to visit during those hours if you have any questions. Visit the Oconaluftee center to learn about the Native American culture in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Sugarlands Visitor Center to watch a short movie about the park or the Cades Cove Visitor center to see an actual water mill in action.

Premier property owners select Elk Springs Resort as their Gatlinburg Rental Property Manager.  Of course, nothing beats staying inside and cuddling up to a warm fire, a mug of hot cocoa and classic movies on TV. Whatever puts a smile on your face this winter, we hope you will find some time to visit us at the Elk Springs Resort.

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Bring Your Skis, Skates, Gloves and Boots to Gatlinburg, TN For Winter Sports and More

Gatlinburg Skiing

Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tram (with permission and courtesy of Dean Brown Photography)

If you could be sitting here with me right now, you would see soft fluffy now drifting down from the sky. It is beautiful the way that the mountains look covered in a fine dusting of snow. While the winter has been fairly warm so far, the folks here in Gatlinburg are gearing up for a winter full of skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and so much more. If you are ready to embrace your inner snow bunny then it is time to book a luxury cabin rental at the Elk Springs Resort.

Gatlinburg features a variety of fun winter activities that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Just a short drive away from your cabin is OberGatlinburg, the crown jewel of winter sports in the Great Smoky Mountains. The folks at OberGatlinburg spend all year waiting for the first snow to arrive. Of course, they always have their snow-making machines in place for warmer months like we have been experiencing recently. With nine trails to choose from, you can easily spend all weekend enjoying everything that OberGatlinburg has to offer.

Just getting to Ober is a ton of fun. You will need to ride the skylift all the way up, giving you a beautiful view of Gatlinburg and the surrounding mountains. Once you are at the top you can strap on skis, a snowboard or a pair of ice skates. Don’t have any of your own? Don’t worry, you can rent them for a good price on top of the mountain. When you need to get warm or want to take a break from outdoor activities you can wander inside for some more fun. Take in a ride on the carousel, challenge your kids to some arcade games and then grab some lunch with hot chocolate. With so much to see and do you may find yourself visiting OberGatlinburg the following day.

Tickets are sold based on the time that you want to hit the slopes. Choose from the Day Session that runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Twilight session from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Night Session from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. or the Combo Session that lasts from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. If you are planning on hitting the slopes for two days in a row, save some money by purchasing the Two-Session Tickets. In addition to equipment rental you can also arrange for a ski or snowboard lesson while you are visiting Gatlinburg. Just call ahead to check on times and rates to secure a spot.  If you own a vacation rental in Gatlinburg and are looking for a Gatlinburg property manager then you may want to consider Elk Springs Resort to handle your important asset.

After a long day of rolling around in the snow, a night in at your luxury Gatlinburg cabin is just what you need. While every season is beautiful at the Elk Springs Resort, winter is extra-special because you get to feel so cozy in your very own luxury cabin rental. Unlike other cabin rental companies that offer just the basics, we allow you to get away from it all without having to give “it” all up. Enjoy access to free high-speed Internet, bubbling hot tubs, a full kitchen, flat screen TVs, gaming systems and much more.

So what are you waiting for? Call or email our main office to reserve your favorite cabin at the Elk Springs Resort.

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A Sneak Peak at Dollywoods New Wild Eagle Roller Coaster

Travel over 3,000 feet from 21 stories high at over 60 mph!  That’s dollywoods newest roller coaster named “Wild Eagle”.  Details were recently released and the new coaster is targetted to open in March 2012.

This unique roller coaster features riders sitting suspended on the outside of the track.

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Plan Your Winter Getaway with a Smoky Mountain Vacation

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area - Copyright Dean Brown Photography

If thinking about a unique vacation, the Smoky Mountains can be a new adventure and option that is a little off the beaten path. Unlike big cities or coastal destinations with crowded beaches, Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains bring a tourist and family to the natural American mountain ranges of Tennessee and the classic South.

The Gatlinburg, Tennessee, area provides access to five different mountain ranges for daily exploration. These include:

  • Grapeyard Ridge
  • Le Conte and Sugarland Mountains in the south area
  • Cove Mountain, and
  • Big Ridge.

Gatlinburg vacation cabin rentals offered by Elk Springs Resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, are one example of a great way to enjoy the surrounding region in comfort and traditional lodging accommodations. Crafted with expert woodworking carpentry, each of the cabins come complete with comfortable leisure furniture, electronic amenities including large-screen televisions, wide bay windows for viewing the outside environment, and comfortable fireplaces inside and outside for enjoying crackling fire-heated evenings.

Accommodations come in a variety of choices ranging from one-bedroom economy cabins to large group six-bedroom options. Additionally, for even larger groups or separation the resort also offers condos and honeymoon suites for a unique marriage memory.

If a trip gets a little too sedate at the cabin area or in nature, there is plenty to do in Gatlinburg itself as well. This includes plenty of fishing, wine tasting, restaurants, scenic drives, shopping, and even helicopter tours of the larger regional area.

Planning a Smoky Mountain trip first depends on choosing the time of year for a visit. For first-timers with young family, the late spring and summer may be the best time. This avoids the challenge of dealing with the cold elements and snow during the winter months.

For those flying in, the closest international airports include Charlotte/Douglas International Airport or Nashville International Airport. From there a tourist needs to catch a regional flight to McGhee Tyson Airport where there is direct service as well from several major markets. Alternatively, one can rent a car from either of the airports, but the drive will be between 150 to 180 miles to Gatlinburg. Reservations can be made with Elk Springs Resort by phone or Internet and reserved with a credit card, but choice times should be arranged early to avoid any disappointments. If driving in during winter months, visitors should arrange to have chains for car tires since some of the regional roads will go through mountain area and icy conditions.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, has a lot to offer the first-time visitor and Elk Springs Resort cabins can make a great landing base for daily adventures and trips. If you’re looking for a domestic vacation that provide memories of a very different vacation, Gatlinburg mountain cabins and the Smoky Mountains can provide that experience.

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Gatlinburg Vacation Cabins

Gatlinbug Cabin with Arcade Game
Gatlinbug Cabin with Arcade Game

When it comes to Gatlinburg vacation cabins our guests really know their stuff.   Our guests have spoken and we have listened!   We have added upgrades to cabins such as video arcade games that feature over 100 classic games like pac-man, space invaders and many other favorites.   Initially we wanted to keep the kids entertained, but really the 35 and 40 year old kids like them the most.   You can find arcade games in cabins such as buckwild, amazing views retreat, bear cub lodge and mountain memories.

Another popular amenity, and we’re not suprised, are outdoor firepits.  Recently 2 of our vacation cabins added firepits including mountain memories and one of our newer cabins, Creeksong, features an outdoor firepit area as well.  Creeksong has over 300 feet of frontage on Birds creeks.  You can take a shot at catching some trout or maybe just sit and soak your feet in the creek that runs through out the back of the property.Gatlinburg Cabin with outdoor firepitMoonstruck is a new 1 bedroom cabin that is the ultimate in luxury cabin getaways.   The cabin features 4 fireplaces (1 outdoor and 1 in the shower!) as well as a 55″ 3D high definition TV.   It’s truly an amazing vacation cabin in Gatlinburg.  Some of the other impressive amenities include a sauna, porch swing and outdoor eating area.  But perhaps its the mountain views or the upgraded bedding.   We’ve had so many guests not believe that the pictures and amenity list on this luxury cabin are actually real or reflective of the actual cabin.   But once they arrive they quickly find out that is even better in person.  Our biggest complaint  – “we couldn’t stay longer”.  If moonstruck sounds like a good fit, you will definitely want to consider our 1 bedroom cabins in Gatlinburg

Cabins with theater rooms are also increasing in popularity and we have lead the charge in building the best quality theater rooms.   They are great because they offer a great space to gather no matter the age or interest.  You can always find a movie to keep everyone happy.  If not….then you have your whole vacation to use the theater room and everyone can easily take turns.   And when you are in the cabin watching movies you are not downtown Gatlinburg spending money on attractions.

For our 3rd straight year we’ve been awarded a 5 star rating by tripadvisor.com and for our 2nd straight year we’re ranked the #1 vacation cabin company in Gatlinburg out of over 60 lodging options.   We’re proud of this achievement and will continue to provide the customer service and quality vacation cabins to maintain this ranking.

 

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