If you’ve been a long-time visitor to the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll know that the name Ober Gatlinburg is iconic among the list of attractions in the Smokies! After all, this popular destination dates back to 1962 when it opened as the Gatlinburg Ski Resort and eventually was renamed Ober Gatlinburg. After decades of operating as Ober Gatlinburg, the mountaintop ski resort and amusement park is now known as Ober Mountain! Here are 3 things to know about the rebranding of Ober Gatlinburg to Ober Mountain:
1. Ober Gatlinburg Purchased By New Owners
Ober Gatlinburg was recently purchased and renamed Ober Mountain by a group of Sevier County natives led by Joe Baker, a local entrepreneur who founded the Ole Smoky Distillery and Yee-Haw Brewing. The purchase includes the popular Aerial Tramway attraction, as well as all of Ober Gatlinburg’s other assets. Although the Ober Gatlinburg property originally opened in 1962 (as the Gatlinburg Ski Resort), the Aerial Tramway opened as a separate attraction in 1973 by Claude Anders. The Anders family purchased the Gatlinburg Sky Resort in 1975 and merged it with the Aerial Tramway, then they renamed the attraction Ober Gatlinburg in 1977.
2. Vision for the Future
The original vision for Ober Gatlinburg was laid out by Claude Anders, as he realized that the best views of the Smoky Mountains existed at the top of the mountain high above downtown Gatlinburg. He made it a very special place and his sons eventually carried on his legacy, adding unique attractions to the mountain over the years. Ober Gatlinburg has grown to include a mountain coaster, an indoor ice rink, a wildlife encounter, summer tubing and many other year-round activities. Joe Baker indicated that his goal for the future of Ober Mountain is to celebrate the heritage of the Anders family and to continue their vision.
3. Exciting Changes That are in Store
The new owners of Ober Mountain have quite a few exciting changes in store, including a new logo that you will already notice on the Ober website! Work has already started on a downhill mountain bike course at the resort, and the owners are looking for other attractions that currently don’t exist in Sevier County! There are plans in the works for a renovation of the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway Mall, which will now be known as “base camp”. Other changes/additions that are being considered include a trail expansion, ziplines and an ATV course!
Where to Stay
If you love the great outdoors and want to stay close to Ober Mountain, don’t miss the chance to experience our lovely campground in the Smoky Mountains! We offer a variety of fun camping options, including traditional tent sites, RV sites, bell tents, camping cabins and RV rentals! While staying with us, enjoy a variety of fantastic amenities including recreational equipment, luxury bath houses, playgrounds, free wireless Internet access and more! As if that doesn’t sound good enough, we’re surrounded by the beauty of the Little Pigeon River and feature the best swimming hole in the Smokies!
Check out all of the information about our campground in the Smoky Mountains today to plan your vacation near Ober Mountain! We look forward to seeing you next season!
