Ten Special Activities for Winter in the Smokies

Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights, November 8th, 2011 until January 13th, 2012. Visitors can soak up the spirit of the season from the comfort of a Pigeon Frge Trolley. See the Winterfest light displays and their five million shining lights on board the Pigeon Forge Trolley Tour of Lights. Your heated, enclosed trolley comes complete with its own personal tour guide who will share stories about Pigeon Forge's history and our famous Winterfest light displays.

Park your car and leave the driving to us! Winterfest Trolley Tour of Lights begins and end at Patriot Park. For specific departure times, call 865-453-6444.

Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights, November 9th until January 30th, 2012. For specific information call 865-436-0535.

Winterfest has lots of things to do for everyone. Over 5 million lightswill shimmer and glow throughout this Smoky Mountain town, inspiring a festival of light arrangements, festive decorations, special events, seasonal delicacies and holiday mountain music. For additional information contact the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism at 1-800-251-9100, Local:(865) 453-8574

The 17th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week runs from January 13th to the 21st, 2012. It will be held at The Music Road Hotel in Pigeon Forge. There will be numerous workshps, lectures, hikes and informal gatherings encomposing a variety of wildlife related topics. This year, over 100 wildlife experts are planning to take part in this event. Guided hikes, art and photography course are always included. To receive a brochure call: 1-800--WINTERFEST.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. Most trails remain open during the winter. Hwy US 441 goes over the smoky mountains connecting Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC. Bad weather intermittently closes this road. It is less crowded in the winter months and wildlife viewing is especially rewarding. Hiking in the winter has its own rewards for nothing is more beautiful than Mother Nature in the soft hush of a winter snow.

Ober Gatlinburg is Tennessee's ski Mecca in the winter months. It is located in Gatlinburg, just outside the boundry of the Great Smoky mountains National Park. A mountaintop of fun, excitement, and mountain beauty is waiting for you. It has ski slopes, iceskating, snow tubing, an alpine slide, a black bear habitat and much more!

Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium This is the third year for this amazing Winterfest attraction which features hundreds of thousands of synchronized LED lights in a drive-thru attraction that is nearly one mile long. Its highlight feature is a 70 foot tall lighted tree. This spectacle takes light shows to a whole new level, integrating cutting-edge technology, lights, music and movement with all custom built animated elements featuring 100% environmentally friendly LED lights. Some of the music is even arranged and recorded by the talented Shadrack crew, and this year there is even more music to enjoy. The show is open November 11th, 2011 until January 8th, 2012.Visit their web site for detailed information.

Skiing and Snowboarding Ober Gatlinburg is more than just skiing and snowboarding. Snow tubbing is a great activity for people of all ages and abilities. Not to mention, it's all the fun of sledding without the walk back up the hill! We provide the tube - you have the fun! There is also an ice skating rink for the whole family to enjoy. Skate year-round on the huge indoor ice arena. This arena is the centerpiece of Ober Gatlinburg's enclosed Mall.

Off Road Voyages For a different type of treat on your vacation to the Smokies you must try out the Hummer tours at Off Road Voyages. It's a different spin on exploring nature and offers you a true outdoor adventure. The Hummer tours at Off Road Voyages take you through trails in the mountains that only they have access to. It's not a typical 30 minute tour through the woods. This voyage is a 1.5 hour long tour and will take you up the mountain, over rocks and through dirt and mud. You can't get this kind of tour anywhere else near Gatlinburg. Open 365 days a year, this is not just a winter activity but it is certainly a whole lot more adventurous in the snow! Call 1-866-99-Voyages for information.

Polar Express Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Get in the spirit of Christmas with an escape, from the hustle and bustle, to the beautiful North Carolina mountains and ride the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Polar Express. This fantasy-come-true train ride leaves from Bryson City November 6th to December 23rd. All Aboard!

Gatlinburg Winter MagicEvery year this major event is held from early November to late February. The City of Gatlinburg literaly lights up the winter as this mountain town turns into a holiday jewel. You can take in the sights by enjoying a guided city ride in the comfort of a trolley.