By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
GATLINBURG (WATE) - With snow on the ground, cold temperatures at night and sunny days ahead, many people are taking to the slopes to enjoy some winter sports.
The slopes were packed and the lifts were full Friday. Just one day after the snowfall, managers at Ober Gatlinburg say this is just what they need.
"You would not believe the change that has happened here in the last 24 hours with the addition of this new natural snow," said John Cossaboom from Ober Gatlinburg.
Thursday's snowfall added an extra six to ten inches of snow to the ski slopes which is good news for avid snowboarders and skiers. "It makes your falls a lot easier, which I'm an expert at," said snowboarder Shawn Cox. "It's a winter wonderland out here. I'm loving it."
The extra powder is also allowing managers to open Ober's tubing course more days a week. It was previously open only two days every week.
The appeal of the slopes also brought out-of-town visitors, meaning more money to be spent in the town of Gatlinburg.
The staff at Ober expects the slopes to be busy this long weekend. Several hundred people are already booked to ski.
