Let It Snow!!!

Snow is more controversial than I ever thought possible! We have quite a few people who come here looking, hoping, praying for snow. We also have several people who are afraid of snow, or rather what it might do to the roads. In Gatlinburg we do occasionally get some snow, although rarely more than an inch. And it usually melts the next day. Here are some tips on how to enjoy (or survive) the winter weather here in the mountains!

1. Finding the Snow!
If you are one of those people who wants the snow, be encouraged! Just rent a cabin in a higher elevation, and chances are, if there’s the slightest chance of precipitation, it’ll snow at your cabin. If it doesn’t snow at your cabin while you’re here, stop by the Sugarlands Visitor Center, and ask the nice folks there if they know of any snow in the National Park that you could get to. On the higher elevations, once it snows, the mountains usually keep that white on their tops for the rest of the winter!

2. Avoiding Icy Mishaps!
Since they can’t control the weather, cabin rental companies don’t give refunds due to weather or road conditions. Besides, you’re coming to the mountains to enjoy the mountains! If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, or can borrow one from a friend or rent one, we recommend this. If not, invest in chains for your tires. Our Wal-Mart here sells them for just $25-$65, depending on tire size. Well worth the investment! If you would still rather just avoid the steep hills altogether, make sure to ask your reservationist for a cabin that has no steep hills to get to. This can be very difficult to find around here, so be sure to book early.

3. Timing is everything!
Check the weather before you come. And once you’re here, check your radio, TV, or newspaper for regular weather updates. If there is a chance of snow or ice, plan to do your driving in Gatlinburg at the warmest, sunniest time of day. Don’t wait to go out and about, or wait to head back to your cabin, til after dark, when it will be colder, harder to see, and more difficult to find help if you need it. Don’t stay out much past 7pm, if there is any chance of bad weather. Get to your cabin and snuggle down for a cozy evening. Try to plan your vacation so that you don’t have to leave your cabin early in the morning. (It’s vacation, you want to sleep in anyway!) Give the sun a chance to thaw out the roads for you. If you feel it absolutely necessary to be out early in the morning, remember that 4-wheel drive and/or chains, and maybe even bring a bag of rock salt with you just in case.

4. Enjoy The Adventure That Comes To You!
The snow is absolutely gorgeous! Just imagine waking up to a winter wonderland! Don’t be a worry wart and ruin you and your family’s vacation! Enjoy it! Go sledding! Build a snowman! Snow angels! A fort or igloo! Head to Ober Gatlinburg and try skiing or snow tubing!

5. Be Prepared!
Here are some things to have with you:
* 4 wheel drive vehicle and/or chains for your tires
* rock salt
* windshield ice scraper
* flashlight
* starter log and matches or lighter if you have a wood-burning fireplace
* plenty of food
* hot chocolate!
* coffee
* sled
* an adventurous spirit
* a smile!

Now that we’re all ready… Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!

This blog is sponsored in part by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN. For more information on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.

 

Family Winter Traditions in the Smokies- 2012

Traditional family holiday time doesn’t just mean football on the TV and a turkey in your home oven anymore. Gatlinburg is a popular destination for families to spend holidays year ’round. You don’t have to worry about finding something to do or somewhere to eat; Gatlinburg has something to offer families of every size from 2 to 32 and larger. Here are just a few ideas for the upcoming winter holidays:

1. Food, glorious food. Let’s face it…most of us equate holidays with a chance to eat all the traditional family favorites from turkey and ham to sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Don’t be afraid to try it away from home. The local Food City offers holiday packages that only require that you place the order and pick out the fixings. You can leave the rest to the professionals. However, if you just can’t imagine not cooking this holiday season, renting a cabin could be your solution. Cabins usually come with fully-equipped kitchens, but make sure you bring specialty pans and cooking utensils with you. And for those of you that just want to show up to the meal, there are plenty of restaurants open every holiday.

2. Shopping. Are you afraid to miss out on the post holiday sales and specials? Never fear. Gatlinburg offers the ultimate shopping experience with everything from local artisan crafts to brand-name outlet stores. The deals abound and many stores are clustered for your shopping convenience. Read more about Shopping in the Smokies.

3. Decorating. Don’t think that having a destination holiday experience means you have to forgo the holiday decorations. Many rental cabins come fully-decorated for the holidays, and if you are looking to bring your own decorations…just ask. Gatlinburg is known for customer service and hospitality. ERA In The Smokies thinks of visitors as their guests and always try to accommodate requests.

4. A White Christmas. Do you live somewhere that never sees snow? Come on over to the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smokies get a small amount of snow each year. Even though it rarely snows at Christmas, the ski slopes at Ober Gatlinburg are often open by mid-December even if it requires man-made snow. Ober Gatlinburg now offers snow tubing, too!

5. Holidays on Ice. For many people, winter holidays conjure images of ice skating, woolen mittens and hot chocolate. Ice skating is a popular year ’round activity at Ober Gatlinburg ski resort. Don’t worry about driving up the mountain in icy weather; the aerial tram offers a breath-taking view and eliminates the need to drive.

6. Winter Adventure. There are lots of activities that shut down in the Mountains during the winter due to the temperature or precipitation; however, there are just as many that are great fun regardless of the weather. Take a wild and wacky and snowy roll inside an inflatable Zorb ball or take an off-road Hummer tour with the whole family! And Walden Creek Stables offers horseback riding even in December!

7. Twinkling Lights. Does your home town offer a beautiful lights display? So does ours. Gatlinburg loves holiday lights so much that they are up from the first week in November to mid-February each year. From Dollywood to Downtown, whimsical LED light displays are a beautiful reminder of the holiday season and a great reminder of Gatlinburg’s vow to go green. Read more about Holiday Lights locations.

8. Fa La La La La. Most of the Smoky Mountain musical shows that your family loves have special holiday editions. From the always-funny Sweet Fanny Adams and to the brand new Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas Spectacular, holiday music abounds. You won’t miss caroling either. Each year the City of Gatlinburg sponsors roving minstrels, carolers and story tellers. The Village even has photo opportunities with old Kris Kringle himself!

9. Buy an Ornament. Did you buy an tree ornament for your baby’s first Christmas? First year in school? Why stop there? Gatlinburg offers a varied assortment of shops dedicated to just holiday decorations. The Christmas Tree offers a quaint shopping experience in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg where you can buy your Department 54 favorites or a hand-painted one-of-a-kind. Christmas Eve Gift is a world of Christmas all year long and is located in the heart of the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community. In addition, many of the Downtown Parkway’s shops carry souvenir Christmas ornaments as well as other ornaments and souvenirs for each and every holiday. Make collecting ornaments part of your family’s tradition.

10. 12 Days of Christmas. This is one of my family traditions. Pigeon Forge puts up a light display featuring the 12 Days of Christmas from the Partridge in a Pear Tree at the Sevierville end to the 12 Drummers Drumming on the Gatlinburg end. Each year, my family piles in the car and sings the song as we pass the individual displays for each day. Of course, traffic lights and placement mean we end up singing v – e – r – y – s – l – o – w – l – y or sometimes very very fast to keep up, but it always ends in laughter. I’ll photograph the 12 Days of Christmas light display this year and feature it in a separate blog post. Don’t miss this light display.

This blog is sponsored in part by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN. For more information on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg area.

Springfest 2012

Don’t miss the chance to watch the Smokies bloom into Spring brilliance while enjoying all the colors, crafts, food, history, and fun of the Smoky Mountain Springfest! Springfest includes a wide array of activities and events to delight and satisfy your springtime cravings!

Easter Arts & Crafts Show

What would the Smokies be without our Arts and Crafts Community? Come to the Easter Arts & Crafts show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, Thursday, April 5, through Saturday, April 7 to inspire the creativity in your own soul, and take home some of these beautifully crafted items to grace your home, office, or other organization!

Ober Gatlinburg’s 14th Annual Easter Sunrise Service

What better way to experience a glorious Easter Sunrise than from high on the slopes of the Smoky Mountains?! Join us for Ober Gatlinburg’s Easter Sunrise Service, on April 8,  enhanced by the beauty of the surrounding mountains! Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 45 minutes before the service and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins at at sunrise. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant beginning directly after the service.

Ribfest & Wings

Join us as we entice summer to come more quickly by filling the streets with the smell of hickory-smoked barbecue and the sounds of live entertainment! Vendors from all over the Southeast will come together on Thursday, April 26 to show off their secret sauces and succulent meat at this unforgettable street party! Don’t miss out!

The 62nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage & Greener Living Expo

As wildflowers bloom, join the Wildflower Pilgrimage for more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies. The Wildflower Pilgrimage is set to run Wednesday, April 25 through Sunday, April 29.

This blog is sponsored by ERA In The Smokies Realty and Rentals located at 207 Parkway in Gatlinburg. For more info. on a Gatlinburg Cabin for your Smoky Mountain Vacation or all the reasons to move to the Smokies, call 1-800-309-0277. ERA In The Smokies is a leader in chalet and Log Cabin Rentals and Real Estate Sales in the Gatlinburg