We kicked off the final day of our Tennessee trip with a visit to the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge. It was a nice change of pace from all the roller coasters and thrill rides. Following that, however, it was back to grabbing some credits. We didn’t have to go far for the next two either – practically right across the street to the Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark.
We arrived right after the park opened and we appeared to be the only ones there. It was 10 a.m. on a Monday, so probably not the most ideal time for tourists. That worked out great for us since we only booked an hour of time to ride their two coasters. Having the park to ourselves, however, gave us time to ride them several times each. It also allowed me to take plenty of pictures and for us to have some fun over on the tube slide as well. We didn’t plan on doing that, but why not?
2 of the More Unique Credits We'd Experience
Aside from the typical amusement park style coaster we’d ride at Dollywood, this trip was full of your standard mountain coasters. We were supposed to experience a single rail mountain coaster at Anakeesta on Day 1, but the coaster was down during our visit. So this stop at the Snowpark was going to be our first taste of something most coaster fans would describe as just a bit different.
The first coaster we’d ride, the Avalanche Snow Coaster is a sit down powered coaster. The vehicles look like buggies and two people can sit side-by-side. The second coaster, the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster, is actually a suspended coaster with guns and interactive targets throughout the course.
Sam and Jen got in more rides on both coasters than I did since I wanted to take some photos of the rides in action. That was the only drawback of having the park to ourselves. If we were riding, no one else was. Still, I enjoy taking photos, so doing that and missing out on a ride is okay.
Anyhow, let’s take a look at those two coasters as well as the tubing.
Avalanche Snow Coaster
We kicked off the visit with the powered coaster. Sam and Jen rode together and went before me. I thought it would be best to have them out on the the track before me since I was filming a POV. I haven’t posted that to the site’s YouTube channel yet, but I will be soon. I have POV’s from both the driver’s seat as well as the passenger seat when Sam drove me on my third ride.
Where this ride differs from the standard mountain coaster is that it isn’t really gravity based. There is no long lift hill taking you up a mountain and sending you back down to the bottom. With a twist of the handle you give the car power and are on your way straight out of the station. Like with a mountain coaster you can slow down, but with the track being the power source, the entire ride can be shut down if need be.
When it comes to the ride, this was like a cross between a go kart and the old time cars. You’re on a set track, but you can give it some speed. I honestly enjoyed it more than both of those ride types, but I am a coaster fan so of course I’m biased. If you’re expecting this to ride like a mountain coaster, however, you might be disappointed. It is a lot more controlled and you don’t get that feeling like you’ll be thrown out of your vehicle going around bends. Still, a fun experience nonetheless.
Ski Lift Shootout Coaster
I was looking forward to riding the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster because of it hanging under the track. With a site titled, “We Were Inverted,” securing those inverted/suspended credits is a must. Jen and Sam secured their Dragonflier credit on Saturday (my first ride was in 2019). And on the final day of our trip we’d have this, the Ski Lift Shootout Coaster and then we’d end the day and trip with a ride on the Rocky Top Glider at Wilderness at the Smokies. I’ll have a trip report for that coming soon as well.
Sitting in this coaster I immediately realized how strange of a ride this was going to be. I felt like I was sitting in an actual ski lift. I guess they got the name correct in that regard. Then I was handed my blaster, which felt like I was on a dark ride. And finally the over the shoulder restraints were secured and it felt like an inverted coaster. Talk about a weird blend, but hey… I was game!
When this ride first debuted I remembered watching some POV videos, but it had been so long since I saw them, I couldn’t remember what my experience would be like. My first ride I didn’t film a POV. I wanted to try the shooting elements and not have my hand and the blaster obstruct the view. I’d come back around and film a POV afterward and just take in the view instead.
As for the ride, this ride is more about the target shooting than any kind of wild drops or turns. This is a very controlled ride with a lot of start and stop portions due to the numerous lift hills throughout the course. For that reason, do not expect a wild ride here. The first part of its name is actually very appropriate with it feeling more like a ski lift than a coaster. Doesn’t mean it isn’t fun though. Being by myself, however, meant I wasn’t competing against anyone for a higher score. So I’d imagine it would be better if you ride with a friend.
Blizzard Ridge Tubing
We had no plans to go tubing during this visit, but when we redeemed our tickets we were told that the tubing was open, but still running as the summer version with water. The girls got excited hearing that so tubing was now part of our stop.
Although I was here for the coasters, after a few rides on each one, the tubing was a nice change of pace. I was worried that we were going to get soaked though. While it wasn’t cold, it was still October and we were wearing jackets. I took mine off prior though.
The water jets spraying into lanes made it appear like we’d be taking a steady stream of water the entire way down. And we did, but It wasn’t too bad. You go down the lanes so quick that it turns out to be a very light sprinkle.
I can honestly say that I did not expect to gain as much speed as we did on this slide. It was a fun time for sure, but one I only rode once. The girls wanted to go again, so I grabbed the camera and filmed some off ride footage of them on each of their two additional rides. That off ride footage and a POV of my tubing experience will be also added to the YouTube channel as well.
Final Ride Counts
Avalanche Snow Coaster (4: Sam, Jen, 3: Patrick)
Ski Lift Shootout Coaster (3: Sam, Jen, 2: Patrick)
Tubing (3: Sam, Jen, 1: Patrick)
A Fun Stop with Various Activities to Do
While we only gave ourselves an hour at Rowdy Bear’s Smoky Mountain Snowpark, you might want to give yourself a bit more time. I am sure based on how busy they are and what part of the season you visit that you might have to wait for some of these rides. If you are strapped for time as we were, then maybe try our approach and go first thing on a weekday.
Aside from the two coasters and tubing, you might also want to spend some time with your kids at their playground or maybe try your hand with some outdoor axe throwing. We didn’t do either of those, but if you’re looking for a more rounded experience, those are also available at the Snowpark. Had Greg come along, I’m sure axe throwing would have been part of the plans.
I am glad that we had the time to visit this small park. Most of the places we visited only had one ride to offer, so this was a nice change of pace from the drive, park, ride, drive to the next pace that we found ourselves on for the majority of our stops. I’d also like to add that the staff at this park were so friendly and engaging. They wanted us to have a good time and went out of their way to make sure we did. A big thanks for their staff for making this stop even better than just the fun rides we got to experience.
Rowdy Bear's Smoky Mountain Snowpark Photo Gallery - October 21, 2024
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): Avalanche Snow Coaster, Ski Lift Shootout Coaster
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): Avalanche Snow Coaster, Ski Lift Shootout Coaster
Jen
Commander
New Credit(s): Avalanche Snow Coaster, Ski Lift Shootout Coaster
