High above downtown Gatlinburg, one of the Smoky Mountains’ most iconic attractions is gearing up for its most exciting summer in years.
Ober Gatlinburg — the year-round mountaintop resort accessible by the famous aerial tram from the Parkway or by car up Ski Mountain Road — has been busy. New activities, a reimagined tubing experience, refreshed dining, and a full slate of returning favorites mean there’s never been a better time to spend a full day on the mountain.
Whether you’ve been riding the tram since childhood or this is your first trip up the hill, here’s everything new and returning for summer 2025.
🆕 What’s New This Summer
The Tubing Hill Gets a Major Upgrade
Summer tubing has always been one of Ober’s most popular warm-weather activities — sliding down a snow-covered hill in the middle of a Tennessee summer is exactly as fun as it sounds. This season, the experience gets a serious upgrade.
The redesigned hill features multiple lanes built for different thrill levels, including elevated runs with built-in rollers that send riders airborne between the top and the bottom. Whether you’re bringing young kids or a group of adults looking for maximum speed, the new layout has something for everyone.
- Multiple lanes for different ages and comfort levels
- New elevated runs with roller features for added excitement
- One of the most unique summer activities in the entire region
Disc Golf Course
A brand-new disc golf course winds through the mountain terrain, making full use of the elevation changes and forested ridgelines that define this property. A great option for groups that want to enjoy the outdoors at a slower pace between bigger activities.
- Scenic course through the natural mountain landscape
- Great for beginners and experienced players alike
- A nice, low-key contrast to the high-energy attractions nearby
Archery Range
New this summer, a dedicated archery range gives guests a hands-on, skill-building experience that works for families, groups, or solo visitors. It’s a first-of-its-kind addition at Ober and rounds out an activity lineup that now genuinely has something for almost every interest.
- Fun for all ages with instruction available
- Something completely different from the usual mountain activities
- Great option for groups with mixed interests
Mountain Bike Skills Area
For riders who want to sharpen their technique before hitting the full trail network, a new mountain bike skills area features a progression of jumps and technical features at varying difficulty levels. It opens the door for newer riders while giving experienced ones a proper place to warm up.
- Designed for a range of skill levels
- Great complement to the existing trail network
- Perfect for riders who want to build confidence before going bigger
🎢 Returning Favorites
The new additions are great, but the classics that made Ober a Smoky Mountain institution are all back for summer 2025.
Gatlinburg Aerial Tram — The iconic 2.1-mile ride from downtown Gatlinburg remains the most scenic way to arrive and one of the best views in the region regardless of season. Still a must.
Tennessee Flyer Coaster — A mountain coaster that threads through the forest at speeds you control. The kind of ride that gets better with every lap.
Smoky Mountain Bobsled — A winding, mountainside ride where guests set their own speed from the very top. A consistent crowd favorite across every age group.
Cloud Catcher Zipline — Launched from the summit, one of the highest-elevation zipline experiences in the entire region. The views are spectacular and the drop doesn’t disappoint.
Indoor Ice Skating — Open year-round, the rink is a perfect escape on a hot summer afternoon. Add bumper cars on ice for extra entertainment.
Sky Village Express Lift — Ride to the summit of Mount Harrison for sweeping panoramic views from the observation deck. No hiking required, maximum payoff.
🍽️ Refreshed Dining on the Mountain
The on-mountain dining scene is getting a refresh this season. The longtime Sidewalk Cafe footprint is being reimagined into a modernized, combined dining space — a cleaner layout while keeping the comfort-food approach that works well after a long day of activity. Longtime favorites like Slope Side and the Fiddle & Pick barbecue remain in place for guests who know what they came for.
Practical tip: Mountain dining tends to be priced accordingly. A bigger breakfast at your cabin before heading up, and treating the on-mountain food as a satisfying mid-adventure stop, is a smart way to manage the day.
📋 Planning Your Visit
Getting There: Ride the Aerial Tram from 1001 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, or drive up Ski Mountain Road.
Tickets & Hours: Visit obermountain.com for current pricing, activity packages, and seasonal operating hours. Many activities can be bundled for better value.
Best Time to Go: Weekday mornings offer the shortest waits. Late afternoon is the sweet spot for summit views and cooler temperatures.
Beating the Heat: The summit runs noticeably cooler than the valley — on hot afternoons in Gatlinburg, heading up the mountain is one of the smartest moves you can make.
🏡 Stay Close to Everything
Many DreamStay cabins in the Gatlinburg area are just minutes from the aerial tram base and Ski Mountain Road — close enough to make an early start easy and a late-afternoon return completely worth it.
After a full day on the mountain, coming home to a private hot tub with a ridge view is a genuinely hard thing to improve on. That’s the Smoky Mountain cabin experience that keeps people coming back year after year.
Browse Gatlinburg cabins at dreamstayvacay.com/vacation-rentals
The Bottom Line
If you haven’t been to Ober in a few years — or if you make it every summer and wondered whether there was anything new — 2025 gives you a solid answer. The new activities layer onto an already well-rounded lineup, and the natural advantages that made Ober special in the first place are all still exactly where you left them.
Questions about staying near Ober or planning your Sevier County trip? DreamStay’s team is happy to help.Reach out at dreamstayvacay.com/contact-us
