The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway has been providing an outstanding view of the Smoky Mountains since 1973. Based at traffic light # 9 in Gatlinburg, you can ride one of the two aerial counter balanced cars from downtown Gatlinburg to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park, which is on Mt. Harrison.
The cable cars themselves are a different sight in the U.S. Built in Switzerland by Von Roll, the cable cars travel about 17mph, and travels 11,000 feet (2.1 miles) to the mountain station, which is at an elevation of 2675 feet. Each car will hold up to 120 people with one attendant and leaves about every 20 minutes. The total ride takes about 10 minutes in which you will meet the other cable car at the halfway point. Be sure to wave at the folks in the other car!!!
Upon entering the cable car, go to the front or back middle section for the best view of both sides while traveling up or down the mountain. The octagonal cable car has glass windows completely surrounding it; but if standing on the sides, you can only see the side you are facing (especially if you are short). The open windows at each end provide a slight breeze in the summer time as you travel up or down the mountain. The cable cars are wheel chair accessible as is Ober Gatlinburg.
When you arrive at Ober Gatlinburg, there are several activities to occupy your time. You can ice skate in the indoor arena, play miniature golf, ride the Pirate Ship (Memorial thru Labor Day only), take a scenic chairlift even further up to the top of Mt. Harrison, or cool off in the Blue Cyclone Rapids as you ride your inflated air raft down through 600 feet of water! Other than getting wet with my clothes on, the water would have felt extremely good on this HOT August day! Two downhill alpine slides on 1800-foot tracks allow you to experience bob sledding! A small fenced area allows kids to play while under their parent’s watchful eyes.
A few shops are also located at Ober Gatlinburg as well as a snack bar and restaurant.
A black bear habitat is visible on the left side as you arrive. It costs an additional $2 per person. We caught a glimpse of the bears on our arrival/departure trips and they were quite content sleeping on the shaded concrete that surrounded them on this hot afternoon.
Riding the tramway roundtrip is $9 (adults), $6 for children ages 7–11, and 6 and under are free. All attractions require coupons, which are $2.50 each. A booklet of 10 can be purchased for $22.50. However, if planning to participate in many of these events, purchase the daily activity wristbands for $18 (adults) and children $14.
For us the tramway ride, seeing the Great Smoky Mountains and the mountain chalets as you slowly ascend up the mountainside is the highlight of Ober Gatlinburg.