During the winter of 1962, vacationers wound their way slowly and precariously up snow covered Mt. Harrison en route to Gatlinburg's new ski resort. Fighting exhaust fumes from heavy traffic and passing one stalled vehicle after another, visitors reasoned there must be a cleaner, safer, quieter, and certainly faster and more comfortable way for people to travel up the steep mountain. That winter the idea for Gatlinburg's Aerial Tramway was born. Construction of the Aerial Tramway started in September of 1972 and the tramway began operation in August of 1973.

The Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway starts on the sidewalk of downtown Gatlinburg. One of America's largest cable cars departs every twenty minutes from downtown Gatlinburg, going directly to Ober Gatlinburg All Seasons Amusement Park atop Mt. Harrison, offering a magnificent panorama of Gatlinburg and the Smokies.

Over 14 million vacationers have enjoyed the breathtaking view that each season of the year provides. The Tramway is an experience for all ages, from the young to the young at heart. The convenience of parking downtown, taking the Tram for the aerial view or to the many activities available is one experience the vacationer will not want to miss during their stay in the Smokies.

CABLE SUPPORTS: Tramway cars are supported by 2 x 2 lock coil stationary track cables 44mm. in diameter, designed to support 410,000 pounds, more than three times the maximum load during operation. In addition, the cars are attached to haul cables and counter cables designed to support 170,000 pounds and 135,000 respectively.

DISTANCES: The Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway travels a distance of 11,000 feet (2.1 miles), rising from the valley station at 1,340 feet to the mountain station at an elevation of 2,675 feet. The cars travel a maximum speed of 1,500 feet per minute (about 17 miles per hour), and the trip from valley to mountain station takes approximately 10 minutes.

CAPACITY: Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway employs a jig-back system with two counter-balanced cars. Each car carries 120 passengers and one attendant. The tramway will carry an average of 650 passengers per hour in each direction (1,300 passengers per hour).

Fifty-eight automobiles carrying four passengers each would have to operate continuously, making 180 trips, traveling more than 1250 miles and consuming more than 125 gallons of gas each hour, to carry as many passengers as the tramway can carry in normal operation.

OBER GATLINBURG SKI RESORT & AMUSEMENT PARK
The unique theme park at the Ski Resort offers the opportunity to ice skate or shop in the 62,000 sq. foot Tramway Mall, ride the South's longest Scenic Chairlift to the pinnacle of Mt. Harrison, enjoy the excitement of the Alpine Slide, Municipal Black Bear Habitat, Go-Kart Track, Water Rides, Spider Web, Bungee Run, Kiddie Land, Arcade and more!