If you are planning a winter vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains, there is a good chance that you will see the mountain peaks covered in snow! The sight of snow in the Smokies is truly breathtaking and creates a magical ambiance for your vacation in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg! Here is everything you need to know about snow in the Smoky Mountains:

1. When it Will Snow

January and February are the months where you are most likely to see snow in the Smoky Mountains. However, the winter season in the Smokies is quite inconsistent, so it is difficult to predict when there will be snowfall. One week you might experience daytime temperatures reaching 65 degrees, while the next week you might have a snowy day with temperatures only reaching 20 degrees! In the lower elevations, it is rare that there is snow accumulation of an inch or more and this typically melts within a few hours of falling. In the higher elevations, the climate is much cooler than the surrounding lowlands and the mountain peaks receive much more snow. For example, Newfound Gap receives an average of 69 inches of snow during the winter because it is nearly a mile high!

2. Visiting the National Park

Most folks visiting the Smokies plan to spend at least one day exploring the hiking trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is important to note that travel conditions within the park can quickly become hazardous when winter precipitation is falling. Newfound Gap Road and other roads within the park are often temporarily closed during winter storms due to snow and ice on the roads. Before your winter visit to the park, check for updated road closure and weather information. You can also follow road status updates on Twitter for information on Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Loop Road.

3. Fun Things to Do in the Snow

If you experience snow in the Smoky Mountains, there are tons of fun things to do! If Newfound Gap Road is not closed due to snowy or icy conditions, you can go cross country skiing or hiking in the snow along Clingmans Dome Road. This road starts just 0.1 miles south of Newfound Gap and is closed to vehicles in the winter. If you prefer skiing, snowboarding or snow tubing, take the Aerial Tramway up to Ober Gatlinburg! This popular mountaintop destination features 10 ski trails ranging from beginner to advanced, as well as an exciting terrain park. You can also enjoy the thrilling snow tubing runs, ice skating, a mountain coaster and plenty of other awesome activities!

Where to Stay

One of the best ways to enjoy the sight of snow in the Smokies is from a cabin rental in the mountains! Just imagine kicking back by the cabin’s fireplace as you are surrounded by mountains blanketed by snow. There is also nothing quite like relaxing in the hot tub on your private deck as snowflakes gently fall from the sky! We have cabins of all sizes to meet your needs, as well as cabins with game rooms, theater rooms and even private swimming pools!

Check out all of our cabins in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg today to plan your winter vacation to see snow in the Smoky Mountains! We look forward to seeing you!