The holidays are all about traditions, which is why Wilderness at the Smokies is excited to announce it is bringing back its outdoor ice skating rink from Nov. 11, 2022-Jan. 15, 2023.
“We are thrilled to be continuing this holiday tradition,” said Pete Tennis, Managing Director of Wilderness at the Smokies.
“There is nothing more memorable than going ice skating during the holidays and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa or roasting marshmallows over one of our firepits in our Winter Wilderland.”
The ice rink, which occupies 3,200 square feet of the resort’s outdoor wave pool, will be open daily from now to the middle of January for hotel guests and the public to enjoy.
The admission fee will be included with room rates if guests use code ICESKATE at the time of booking when making their reservations.
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Do you have to be a resort guest to ice skate at Wilderness?
Anyone can come ice skate at Wilderness at the Smokies.
At the rink, admission will be $13.99 for resort guests or $18.99 for the public, which includes the skate rental.
Soaky Mountain season pass holders can skate for the discounted rate of $10.99 if they show their wristbands.
When is the ice skating rink at Wilderness open?
The ice rink will be open from 10 am to 10:30 pm Saturday-Sunday during Thanksgiving week (Nov.21-25) and Christmas break (Dec. 19-30) and 4 pm to 10:30 pm Monday-Friday.
Additionally, an onsite DJ will be at the resort on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 10 pm.
For a detailed calendar, visit the website as you make your plans.
Wilderness will also be holding special events throughout the season, including:
- Performances by skaters from The Ice Chalet: Dec. 9 and 16 and Jan. 6 and 13 at 7 pm
- Pro Vision Hockey Academy game with 8U and 10U players: Dec. 4 from 7 am-11 am
- Cool Sports youth hockey games with local area skaters: Dec. 17 and 18 from 7-10 am
Do you have a little one who is new to skating?
Youth Skate will be offered every Saturday (except Dec. 17) between 9-10 am before the rink opens for younger, inexperienced skaters to get time on the ice without bigger and faster people speeding around them.
The resort will provide skating aids, a surprise Christmas gift and an opportunity for a photo with Monty or Molly. The cost is $9.99 per child and includes skates as well as the day’s admission to the rink.
There are a number of fun things to do at Wilderness at the Smokies this holiday season:
1. Skate for a Cause
On Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 am to 10 pm, the resort will be hosting a special fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.
One hundred percent of the public ice skating admissions will directly benefit the organization.
2. Shadrack’s Super-Sized Christmas Adventure
Across from Wilderness at the Smokies, Soaky Mountain Waterpark will also be celebrating Christmas with Shadrack’s Super-Sized Christmas Adventure, Nov. 25-Jan.1 from 6-10 pm in its parking lot.
This event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased online.
This unique drive-through storytelling combines larger-than-life illustrated art with lights and sound, creating an immersive experience.
After the show, guests can visit the new attraction Snowy Mountain where there will be extra-large yard games, a mixture of DJ and live music on select nights, a kids’ snow globe and ornament craft projects for an additional fee.
Soaky merchandise and tasty treats will be available for purchase. Plus, families can see Santa on Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23 from 6-9 pm.
3. Santa’s Workshop
Back at Wilderness at the Smokies, resort guests will be able to enjoy Santa’s workshop in the resort’s River Lodge Conference Room.
Kids will be able to participate in cookie decorating and holiday crafts and have the opportunity to write and mail a letter to Santa.
It will be open Nov. 25 from 11 am-3 pm; Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17 and 23 from 11 am-8 pm, and Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, 11, 18 and 24, from 10 am-2 pm.
4. Santa appearances
The jolly ol’ man will also be returning to Wilderness at the Smokies and will be visiting with guests on Nov. 25, from 12-3 pm and Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23 from 3-6 pm.
He will be in the outdoor Winter Wonderland area by the resort’s ice rink during the first hour of each scheduled appearance and then in Santa’s Workshop during the last two hours.
5. Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Mrs. Claus will be hosting 30-minute Christmas-themed story times for children staying at the resort.
This will be happening in the resort’s River Lodge lobby on Friday, Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 7-7:30 pm.
6. Santa Hustle Smokies 5k & 10K
Thousands of Santas race along the city streets during the annual Santa Hustle Smokies 5K and 10K on Sunday, Dec. 11.
The race will start and finish near Soaky Mountain Waterpark’s entrance. For more information or to register, visit the website.
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About Wilderness at the Smokies
The Wilderness at the Smokies features 234 Stone Hill guest rooms, 472 River Lodge suites and 8 villas.
Most notably, the resort features an 84-degree, year-round indoor waterpark and two seasonal outdoor waterparks, as well as an indoor family entertainment center and a variety of dining and shopping options.
The resort also has a 36-hole championship golf course and more than 200,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
It is owned by Wilderness Resort and Waterparks, a Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin-based hotel and hospitality development and management company that also operates Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wilderness on the Lake and Sundara Spa.
Wilderness at the Smokies has created hundreds of jobs in the greater Sevierville community, attracting year-round tourism, and having a major impact on sales tax and room tax generated for the City of Sevierville since opening its doors in 2008.
Read Also: Wilderness at the Smokies to see largest expansion in park’s history
Winterfest in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville
Wilderness at the Smokies isn’t the only attraction getting dressed up for the holidays.
Many of the region’s entertainment and tourist attractions transform this time of year.
Smoky Mountain Winterfest offers a spectacular display of lights and events across these three mountain towns to celebrate the chilly season with light displays, unique shopping, award-winning shows and attractions, all while showcasing the winter beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
It’s a fun atmosphere filled with holiday lights the whole family will enjoy.
Read Also: 14 things to do for Winterfest Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg 2022
Wilderness at the Smokies is located at 1424 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Have you spent the holidays with Wilderness at the Smokies? Let us know in the comments.
To Whom It May Concern:
What age do you consider youth? I have a 15 yr old autistic grandson, who’s never done anything like that is the reason I’m asking, PLUS for myself. There are adults who would like to learn I’m sure. Thank you
Hi Lee Ann – That’s a great question, the press release does not specify an age. You may want to check with the attraction to be 100% sure, but in my experience they are typically very accommodating