Anakeesta Chairlift
March 25, 2021

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Smoky Mountains is aboard one of Gatlinburg’s scenic chairlift rides! These ski lift style attractions take you on a slow journey into the mountains so that you can see the area from a bird’s eye perspective and take some of the best photos of your vacation! Here are 3 Gatlinburg chairlift rides that you need to experience for amazing scenery:

1. Gatlinburg SkyLift

Gatlinburg SkyLift

The Gatlinburg SkyLift is an iconic Smoky Mountain attraction that opened in 1954 and was the first chairlift in the South to operate through all 4 seasons! The ride was renovated in 2017 to feature comfortable three-seat chairs for a smooth ride up to the top of Crockett Mountain. During your journey, you will rise 500 vertical feet above downtown Gatlinburg and experience stunning views of the surrounding area! Once reaching the peak, step off to walk across the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America or visit the gift shop for a tasty snack! The Gatlinburg SkyLift is included as part of your admission to Gatlinburg SkyLift Park, which also includes the SkyBridge, SkyTrail and the SkyDeck.

2. Scenic Chairlift at Ober Gatlinburg

The Scenic Chairlift at Ober Gatlinburg is the longest chairlift of its kind in the United States and takes you to the peak of Mount Harrison! This ride allows you to experience the best views of the Smokies without hiking, so kick back and relax during your peaceful journey to the top. At the peak, you can see as far as Douglas Lake on a clear day and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount LeConte! The Scenic Chairlift is open all year long and is just one of the many attractions at Ober Gatlinburg, which also include the Aerial Tramway, Ski Mountain Coaster, Wildlife Encounter and a seasonal Ski & Snow Tubing area! Keep in mind that all activities at Ober Gatlinburg require a separate ticket, but package deals are often available.

3. Anakeesta Chondola

scenic chondola at anakeesta

Another one of the Gatlinburg chairlift rides that you need to experience for amazing scenery is the Anakeesta Chondola ! This unique attraction is the world’s only fixed-grip Chondola where you can choose to ride in an enclosed gondola or a traditional open-air chairlift! The scenic ride takes you 600 feet up to the summit of Anakeesta Mountain where you will enter the whimsical Firefly Village. This is the gateway to the popular Anakeesta theme park, which includes exciting attractions such as the Treetop Skywalk, Dueling Ziplines, Rail Runner Mountain Coaster and the Anavista Tower! Note that the Anakeesta Chondola is included with general admission to Anakeesta, but some attractions on the mountain require an additional fee.

Where to Stay

Stay just minutes away from these wonderful attractions with a vacation at our Gatlinburg cabin rentals! Whether you are planning a romantic getaway with your sweetheart or a family reunion, we have affordable cabins of all sizes to meet your needs! After a scenic ride on a Gatlinburg chairlift, you can look forward to returning to your cabin to enjoy spectacular views from your own private deck! Some of our other fabulous amenities include fully equipped kitchens, soothing hot tubs, fireplaces, game rooms and more!

Check out all of our cabins in Gatlinburg TN today to stay close to these Gatlinburg chairlift rides! We look forward to welcoming you to the Smoky Mountains!

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