Everything You Need To Know About Snow in Tennessee, From a Local

Tennessean offers tips on snow around the Smoky Mountains

For many, a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in the winter months means an opportunity to see snow in the mountains. But finding snow can also be tricky.

At the lower elevations, snow is usually a rare treat, falling in significant amounts only a handful of times each winter. If you’re coming to the Smokies to see snow, you’ll just have to get lucky. And if you do arrive when it’s snowing, I suggest you bring milk, bread and toilet paper with you. My people are hoarders and have been caught in just enough unexpected blizzards that we will NOT be caught without the essentials ever again.

Snow in East Tennessee can be somewhat of a treat, but the months of January and February are when you are most likely to see snow. If you happen to be looking for snow, you’re more likely to find it in higher elevations. Of course, there are also attractions that offer snow no matter the weather. For example, Ober Mountain has skiing and snowboarding, and Pigeon Forge Snow offers indoor snow tubing.

Which part of Tennessee does it snow?

In my experience, you’re more likely to see snow in higher elevations, often up to April. According to the National Park Service, the climate is significantly cooler in the high elevations compared to the lowlands. Before visiting the park in winter, you may want to call (865) 436-1200 for road closure and weather information. When you hear a voice, press 1, then press 1 for road information or 2 for a weather forecast.

January and February are the months that you will most likely see snow in the Tennessee mountains. But of course, the weather can always be unpredictable. For instance, in 2020, a Christmas snowstorm left thousands of people in Sevier County without power for days. Generally, winter in Tennessee falls between mid-November through February, but snow has been known to fall in October and even in the months of March and April as well. Pinpointing the most likely month to see snow is tricky.

Where can I find snow in the Smoky Mountains?

If you’re looking for snow, there are ways to better your chances. But here are a few quick disclaimers. Remember not to take chances on icy, mountainous roads. I think it’s important to be aware of the conditions before you set out on your adventure. Secondly, if you’re in higher elevations, conditions can change quickly. Keep your head on a swivel. Without further ado, here are some of the fun things to do and see so you can experience snow in the Smoky Mountains:

1. Visit Hartford (Elevation: 1,263 feet)

Located right at the North Carolina border in Cocke County, Hartford is the last community in Tennessee as you ascend into the mountains on I-40. Hartford isn’t necessarily the best place I would go to explore the snow, but if the goal is to just see it, maybe let the kids make a snowball or two without throwing winter chains on your tires, then Hartford is the spot. Because of its proximity to I-40, you don’t have to travel a lot of winding mountain roads to get there, and the Interstates are usually the best-maintained roads we have during winter weather. Just don’t stray too far off the exit without the proper gear.

2. Stop at a rest area or welcome center

Now, if you want a fairly accessible place to get out and harmlessly play in some snow, let me suggest something a little off the map: Rest areas and welcome centers. As I said before, the best-maintained roads in the mountains during a snow event are the Interstates. If I wanted to take my small kids up into the mountains in and around the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to see snow, I’d head for the rest areas and welcome centers on either side of the state line. In North Carolina, a good spot is at mile marker 10 on I-40. It’s the Waterville Lake Rest Area heading west and the Welcome Center heading east. I consider the views from the rest area to be far superior, and there’s plenty of room, a picnic area and more where you can let little ones play.

3. Check out Max Patch (Elevation: 4,616 feet)

Now, we’re talking about tricky accessibility. Do not attempt this without a four-wheel drive and an experienced driver. I’m sure the people who live in the Rockies wouldn’t blanch at driving to Max Patch in the snow, but Southerners – and even flat-landed Northerners – should approach with caution. Max Patch, a bald on the Appalachian Trail, is one of the true wonders of the mountains, just across the state lines. It’s beautiful anytime but with medium to light snow, it’s a winter wonderland. However, it’s a wonderland that’s also hard to reach. At 4,616 feet in elevation, I would not recommend going to Max Patch from the Tennessee side in the winter and would absolutely take I-40 into North Carolina and come in that way.

4. Visit Anakeesta (Elevation: 600 feet)

Gatlinburg, in general, with the European chalet feel is great in the snow. And, with its sweeping views, Anakeesta is a great place to take in the snow with a nice warm, or adult beverage, have a nice meal and play at the best parts of being a ski bum without all the physical effort of skiing. Fair warning though, since Anakeesta is accessible right to the heart of Gatlinburg, there’s a fair chance a few thousand of your closest friends will have the same idea. Get thee to a mountaintop rocking chair early. Remember to check Tripster for discounts.

5. Go snow tubing at Pigeon Forge Snow or Rowdy Bear

Look, I spent my boyhood days in Northern Indiana, where winters are hard, cold and gray. Minus-75 degree wind chills? Oh yeah, they had ‘em. But we also had snow and plenty of it. Snowball fights, sledding, snowmen, snow angels, the whole thing. Ideally, I want my kids to have all the fun that comes with snow but as little of the headache and hassle of it for me as possible. That’s where places like Pigeon Forge Snow and Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark come in. I can take my kids sledding on a perfect hill with little danger, which yes, removes some of the fun for older kids, but also limits the chances of a mid-vacation trip to the hospital.

6. Ski or snow tube at Ober Mountain

Here we have the same concept as Pigeon Forge Snow but with a different execution. Whereas Pigeon Forge Snow is a quick hit, in and out, here’s-some-fake-snow-let’s-all-enjoy-it, Ober is an immersive experience and one of the few ski resorts in the Smokies. It’s a mountain-top village with shops and restaurants and tubing and skiing when temperatures allow. There’s also year-round ice skating which I am a fan of in concept but not necessarily in practice. Ober is a great place to experience winter sports, though the conditions have to be right for skiing. Overall, Ober has much more diverse options. You can also access it by the Aerial Tramway. Check with Tripster for discounts.

Do you have any snow tips when visiting Tennessee in the wintertime? Let me know in the comments.

Have a question or comment about something in this article? Contact our staff here. You may also contact our editorial team at info@thesmokies.com.