Blog for Zipline Attraction in the Smoky Mountains
Located in Pigeon Forge, TN and near Gatlinburg and Sevierville.
4 Things You Should Try In The Smokies In 2019
By Ross Bodhi Ogle
Posted on January 2, 2019
The paint is still wet on 2019. We've still got a fresh new year going, one in which resolutions are probably still holding strong (or maybe by a thread?) and there's a lot of positive momentum propelling us into the next 12 months.
With that in mind, think about some ways you might stretch yourself a little this year. And no, we're not talking about yoga classes (although yoga is actually very beneficial); we're talking about seeking out challenges that might push your comfort level a little bit or perhaps even help you conquer a fear or specific anxiety.
If that sounds intriguing to you, let us suggest a few ways you can experience some personal growth and probably have a lot fun in the process. If you plan a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains for some time in 2019, you can do exactly that. Here a just a few suggestions for how:
• Climb a mountain
Putting together an expedition to the top of Mt. Everest is expensive and time-consuming, not to mention extremely dangerous. Maybe set your sights a little lower with a hike to the top of Mt. LeConte. Standing at more than 6,000 feet above sea level, it's the third-highest peak in the Smokies, and you can hike to the top and back in one day. Even at that, a conditioned, experienced hiker will spend five to six hours accomplishing this feat, so it's no walk in the park. Technically, it IS a walk in the park – the national park – but if you're fairly new to hiking or physical activity, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to do this. Dress appropriately for the weather at the TOP of the mountain, and bring along plenty of water/sports drink and trail snacks. You'll need them.
• Learn to snow ski
Never snow skied before? No problem. Now is the time to act. Plan a trip to Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, where even first-timers can hit the slopes thanks to the resort's ski school and equipment and clothing rentals. They'll start you off nice and easy on the bunny slopes, and once you get the hang of things, you're free to take on as many as 10 different ski and snowboard trails, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced. The Ober Gatlinburg season usually runs through March, but even if there's no natural snowfall up on the slopes this winter, the resort is capable of manufacturing their own snow, assuming the temperatures are cold enough. And there's also a lot of other fun stuff to do up there, like snow tubing, ice-skating, dining, shopping and more.
• Ride a zipline
What a coincidence! We happen to know of just the place to help you check this item off your bucket list… Seriously, though, if you've never ziplined before, you've got to try it. Even if you've been to Smoky Mountain Ziplines in the past, you know that you want to come back and play with us again in 2019. Ziplining is one of those things that can really stretch your comfort level but in the end, it's totally worth it. And we take care of everything along the way. We get you geared up, we teach you what you need to know to zipline safely, and then we transport you to the top of the mountain, where you'll begin enjoying our seven awesome ziplines in Pigeon Forge. After that, it's just a matter of letting gravity do all the work while you hang on for the time of your life.
• Be afraid, be very afraid
In the Smokies, you'll find several different attractions designed to go bump in the night. These haunted houses have chills and thrills waiting around each corner all year long, or you might even sign up for one of several different ghost/haunt tours in the Gatlinburg area, any of which will definitely up the creep factor. And when Halloween rolls around, several seasonal fright houses pop up around the area, giving you even more opportunities to enjoy the thrill of being scared silly.
