Tubers get ready to descend a snow-covered hill at Ober Mountain.
PHOTOS BY BCQ | SHANON ADAME
SNOW ZONE
Given its snowy setting, the Ober Snow Zone makes playing in the white fluffy stuff a breeze. Build a snowman, toss a few snowballs, or simply watch the kids as they bask in another of winter’ s wonders.
CHAIRLIFT
The view becomes even more spectacular when riding the aforementioned Sky Village Express Chairlift. It takes visitors to a large elevated observation deck 779 feet above Ober’ s mountaintop park. At 3019 feet long, it’ s now the longest chairlift of its kind in the U. S. It also carries passengers to the peak of Mt. Harrison, some 3455 feet above sea level, and more than 1,650 feet higher than any other chairlift in the entire state of Tennessee.
ZIPLINE
It’ s also the starting point for Ober’ s new Cloud Catcher Zipline Experience. Forget any fear of flight— this is what winging it is all about.
MOUNTAIN COASTER
Then there’ s the thrill of Ober’ s Tennessee Flyer Mountain Coaster. At first, it offers a relaxing 1,000-foot tree-covered ride, but once at the peak, riders have the opportunity to control their own speed through the 2,750 feet of twists, turns, dips, zig-zags, corkscrews and G-force thrills.
WILDLIFE HABITAT
For those who favor sights closer to earth, Ober Mountain’ s Wildlife Habitat allows visitors to observe indigenous creatures up close in their natural habitats. It’ s home to otters, foxes,
Tubers wait their turn to slide down a giant hill at Ober Mountain.
bobcats, and birds of prey within an enclosed aviary. The Nocturnal House includes other native wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, flying squirrels, snakes, and turtles. Oh my!
There’ s plenty of kid stuff at Ober as well, including a classic carousel with sparkling lights and a variety of colorful mounts. Like Ober itself, it’ s bound to inspire a desire to come around and around again.
What better way to create a timeless tradition?
WINTER 2025-26 • BLOUNT COUNTY QUARTERLY | 5