Snowfall is a rarity in Atlanta. And while you may not be able to peer out a window at your home to the surprise and delight of snow, you can still get your winter fix, with several places across metro Atlanta bringing tons of snow.
From snow tube hills to ice skating rinks and nightly snow shows, Atlanta delivers snow and ice and winter-time treats.
There are even cozy life-sized igloos at The Roof at Ponce City Market this year. These may not be built out of blocks of snow (and may require a little imagination) but they are certainly a fun wintertime treat.
Here’s a look at some places to enjoy wintertime diversions. Please note that hours and prices vary depending on the day. Check websites for specific hours and pricing.
License to Chill Snow Island at Lanier Islands
This wintertime attraction features a massive snow-tube hill, carnival rides and snow play areas — complete with snowball throwing targets.
The bigger and expanded Parrot Mountain Snow Slide is eight stories high and stretches 575 feet.
This winter attraction also features an ice skating rink under a canopy of white lights, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, visits from Santa Claus and other treats to put you in the holiday spirit. Enjoy Christmas songs and music on a five-story HD screen set high above a sandy white beach. There are several options and price points for License to Chill which include free entrance before 5 p.m. (but tickets to rides are an additional price and start at $2.50 per ride). Note: After 5 p.m., visitors must first enter gate and buy tickets for Magical Nights of Lights with tickets starting at $42 per car.
Open through Feb. 23. Times vary; go to web site for full calendar. Free access before 5 p.m. (but rides are an additional cost). $36.99-$39.99 for tickets for all access and unlimited rides. Season passes available. Combination season passes for License to Chill Snow Island and Magical Nights of Lights are also available and start at $119.99.
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7650 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 678-304-3120, MargaritavilleAtLanierIslands.com.
MORE: WINNER: Best holiday event in Atlanta | Best of Atlanta
Snow Shows at Atlantic Station
Atlantic Station’s holiday season is bigger and more wintry than ever with the opening of Celebration at the Station, a central hub for all things holiday at Atlantic Station, including ice skating, music and yes, snow.
For Snow Shows, stroll through Celebration at the Station on Tower Street near Dillard’s while everyone’s favorite holiday music brings the snowfall to life. Free Snow Shows take place at 7 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and on the hour at 6 p.m.-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. They continue through Dec. 25.
Skating through Jan. 20. Times vary; go to web site for full calendar. $10-$15 and includes the skates.
Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta. 404-410-4010, atlanticstation.com.
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Park offers plenty of festivity and snow with more than 2 million LED lights, Santa’s fly-over and a daily production of more than 360 tons of snow. There are also new shows and a new — and very fast — tunnel ride at Snow Mountain.
Stone Mountain Christmas features holiday music, dazzling lights, captivating shows and visits with popular holiday characters. Families can catch Santa’s flight through the sky each night before a Snow Angel’s Christmas Parade. An all-new parade this year features the debut of seven floats and a cast of 40 performers including 10-foot tall candy canes and walking snow globes.
Returning for a 12th season through Feb. 23 is Snow Mountain, offering snow-filled fun and adventures. Hit the slopes on a 400-foot snow-covered hill in single tubes, double tubes, and family-sized tubes. Thrill seekers can conquer the new Dare Devil Plunge, now the tallest and fastest slope at Snow Mountain, where you can soar down the hill from more than three stories high, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour while zipping through a 150-foot-long tunnel of lights.
Stone Mountain Christmas: Through Jan. 5 on weekends and school breaks. Snow Mountain: Through Feb. 23. Various ticket and combination packages available, starting at $34.95 for adults and $29.95 for children. Discounts available online. Note: Space at Snow Mountain is limited, and reservations are strongly recommended.
Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. stonemountainpark.com.
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» Best tourist attraction in Atlanta
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Igloos at the Roof of Ponce City Market
The Roof at Ponce City Market, overlooking the Atlanta Beltline and Old 4th Ward, will once again be turned into a winter wonderland complete with popular “igloos,” which can be reserved for up to six people now through Jan. 5. The adorable igloos are made of a plastic covering with a PVC frame. They have small heaters to keep everyone cozy and comfy. There’s also an ice skating rink, and other outdoor seating areas.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays; 3-10 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays; 3–11 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays. $150 for up to six people, for people 21 and up. Includes general admission to The Roof, two hours in an igloo, skate rentals and 50 minutes of skate time, and unlimited games and rides at Skyline Park. Reservations recommended.
The Roof at Ponce City Market. 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. Atlanta. 770-999-1530. poncecityroof.com
Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort in North Carolina
For those really seeking the real thing, heading to North Carolina is likely the best bet.
Sugar Mountain Resort, N.C., and nearby Beech Mountain, N.C., are relatively close, within a gas tank’s drive of Atlanta. And with the highest resorts in the east, there’s a good chance of some real snow, and if not, they make snow when conditions are right.
Skiers looking for a wide selection of varied and challenging terrain in the Southeast will relish Sugar Mountain Resort. This is the crown jewel of North Carolina ski resorts, and the closest resort to Atlanta with true black diamond grades. One of the trails, Whoopdeedoo, holds double black diamond status. It’s possible to ski 1.5 miles on an uninterrupted downhill run at Sugar, a rare find in the region. Beginners needn’t worry, because more than a third of Sugar’s slopes are suitable for novices.
Driving distance/time from Atlanta: 271 miles, 4 hours 20 minutes. Peak time, full-day lift prices $37-$77. 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, N.C. 1-800-SUGAR-MT (784-2768), skisugar.com.
Beech Mountain Resort, North Carolina's second-largest ski resort, is in the same general area as Sugar Mountain, high in the Blue Ridge Mountains northeast of Asheville. Beech Mountain Resort may not be the largest, but at 5,506 feet, it has the distinction of being the highest ski resort in all of the eastern U.S. Driving distance/time from Atlanta: 278 miles, 4 hours 40 minutes. Peak time, full-day lift prices $50-$70. 1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, N.C. 1-800-438-2093, beechmountainresort.com.
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