There’s nothing more inviting than a velvety soft blanket and the warmth of a crackling fire when temperatures dip below freezing.
It’s the time of year when you may not have the budget or enough vacation time to take a full-fledged trip to a far-off place but still in need of some time off to rest.
Enter: A retreat to the icy, rolling hills of the lower Appalachians in the winter months.
The wood-paneled mountain chalets in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Blue Ridge are so luxurious, they come equipped with indoor heated pools, outdoor hot tubs, foosball and pool tables, and even theater rooms. When it’s chilly outside, sink into the quilted bedding at one of these hilltop retreats to experience winter from the comfort of a cozy cabin.
Gatlinburg (& Pigeon Forge)
The mountains around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge become a veritable winter wonderland in the cold months.
My first trip to Gatlinburg was one with my husband. Our long-distance relationship in the early days didn’t allow us to spend actual Valentine’s Day together, so one weekend in February when we were both free, we booked one of the chalets in Gatlinburg.
Immediately, I loved how the place was tucked away in nature. As a bit of a workaholic, I find it hard to decompress at the start of a vacation, but natural surroundings and low cell phone signal help me disconnect (which is also one reason I look forward to our July 4th annual trip to the national parks). The cabin amenities were impressive: it came with a fully equipped kitchen, hot tub and games, including a foosball table.
A few years later, one of our friends celebrated a milestone birthday in a similar cabin in Sevierville. We played several rounds of board games and took turns whipping up endless meals in the kitchen. I can’t remember the exact philosophical discussions that we had over glasses of Malbec, but I can tell you it was one of the most enjoyable times that I’ve had with that crew.
On our last day in town, we went go-kart racing in Pigeon Forge. Temperatures were below freezing, and I couldn’t even feel my fingers holding the wheel! Suffice it to say, I came in last for the race!
Tourist Attractions
Even with all of the amenities that the chalets have to offer, it’s possible to get stir crazy indoors. In the nearby towns, there are plenty of attractions, including theme parks like Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, or shopping at outlet malls and antique stores.
Perched at the top of Gatlinburg is the ski resort, Ober Gatlinburg, which buzzes to life with family-friendly activities like ice bumper cars, ice skating, snow tubing and more. Even those who don’t care for winter activities can take the ski lift to the top to get an aerial view of the city draped in lights, a spectacle particularly around the holidays. Gatlinburg reminds me of Helen and St. Augustine in Florida, as it’s filled with souvenir shops, but also attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not and a haunted house. It’s a little kitschy, but with the right attitude or company, it can be fun.
Alternatively, nature lovers can venture into trails or go for a scenic drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Cade’s Cove valley within the park is an excellent spot to go for a drive or walk the trails, and you are almost guaranteed to see some type of wildlife.
One December, when we rallied our extended family into an 11-bedroom chalet near Pigeon Forge, we felt that the constant cooking and eating was getting to be too much. One morning, several of us took the easy, 2.6-mile Laurel Falls Trail to burn off the extra calories!
Blue Ridge
Most recently, we booked an extended Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend in a lofty cabin in Blue Ridge. We went with three other families who also had kids, and the little ones loved the games, jacuzzi and faux smores we roasted over a fire on the deck.
Our stress and anxiety melted away.
We found that this stay right at the start of the year lifted our spirits after the holiday break. It served to ease us into the new year and work routines a bit more gently after the Christmas break.
Whether you decide to go with a significant other, group of friends, or multi-generational family, a winter getaway in a mountain chalet is a must!
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