About This Route
The Ober Gatlinburg Terrain Park, located just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, offers freestyle snowboarding features like rails, boxes, tabletops, and spines. Maintained by a dedicated park crew, this intermediate to advanced area draws riders seeking jumps and tricks amid the Smoky Mountains' winter backdrop. Snowmaking ensures consistent conditions from December through March, but always inspect features before use. Follow the National Ski Areas Association's Park SMART program: Start small, Make a plan, Always look, Ride with control, Think terrain. This guide prioritizes safety on these dynamic features.
Safety Considerations
Inspect freestyle terrain before entering and throughout the session, as weather and use alter features rapidly. Assume risk of serious injury when jumping; use spotters for unknown landings. Adhere to the Responsibility Code: Stay in control, yield to those ahead, observe signs. Ober Gatlinburg enforces one rider per feature at a time. Watch for collisions in high-traffic zones. Local conditions include variable snow from natural falls and artificial cover; icy patches form after thaws. NPS recommends checking Gatlinburg weather and park alerts for closures. Beginners, observe from lifts first. REI advises progressive progression: master tabletops before spines.
Essential Gear
Wear a certified helmet like Smith or Giro models; impact shorts protect hips. Bindings from Burton or Union ensure secure footing. Avalanche gear unnecessary here, but carry a whistle and fully charged phone. Layer with Gore-Tex jackets from Patagonia for wet snow; insulated boots like Salomon Malamute prevent frostbite.