Those who live in Georgia know that snow is rare and a white Christmas is rarer still. Seasons change in a matter of hours and snow is usually the last thing residents expect on any given winter day.
But for those who long for the experience of building snowmen and having snowball fights, you don’t have to look far to find real snow, guaranteed, every year. Located in the heart of Georgia is Stone Mountain Park, and every year from November to February, the park transforms into Snow Mountain.
With more attractions than ever, park visitors are promised a festive, fun-filled, family experience.
Snow Mountain is a 400-foot hill made of real snow. The park generates 360 tons of snow every day to keep up with all of the snow-centered activities. It is hard to imagine that much snow in Atlanta – outside of Snowmageddon of course – but attractions like Snow Zone, Avalanche Alley and the newest addition, Dare Devil Plunge requires so much snow that they have to mass produce it every single day.
Stone Mountain public relations spokesperson, Angela Walton, assures guests that the snow is being made sustainably. “We take the water from the lake, we create snow and then the snow that melts runs back into the lake.”
The park will also premier the Dark Tunnel Ride. This ride is a 150-foot drop through lights and music, paired with the Dare Devil Plunge. Both are described by Walton as attractions for thrill seekers.
“Guests start about three stories high and come down the hill at almost 30 miles an hour. I tell folks that it is the only place at the park where you can go faster than the speed limit and not get a ticket,” Walton laughs.
Snow mountain is a 400-foot hill but Dare Devil Plunge sits higher than that at around three stories. Patrons are either in a single tube or double tube. “It is really an adventure,” says Walton, “but if you aren’t in it for the adrenaline, or have small children, don’t worry there are plenty of options for your family.”
Snow Mountain also features Snow Zone for families complete with a bunny hill for kids who don’t quite meet that height requirement for the big hill. It is also Walton’s favorite attraction. “My inner child loves Snow Zone. I love being around our guests and seeing people experience snow for the first time. I will say that it is probably tied with Avalanche Alley. Just getting your friends together and experiencing that fall. You’re not sure where your stomach is but you are having a blast coming down the hill.”
There is also periodic snow fall and plenty of opportunities for snow angel making.
Snow Mountain will also host Snow Mountain Christmas. All of the attractions of Snow Mountain will remain with a few extras added to get you into that Holiday spirit.
The biggest addition to Snow Mountain Christmas this year is the Snow Angel Parade. Walton says, “we’ve had guests describe it like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is beautiful. The slopes are fantastic but it is on a Stone Mountain Park scale. We have this grand parade to celebrate Christmas and the holidays. We have Santa Flying in to kick off the entire celebration. It is really fun and cute for the kids, too. Snow Mountain Christmas happens every weekend and all during the school holidays through January 5, 2020.”
Guests will be able to take in live musical shows and enjoy special meet and greet opportunities with some of their favorite North Pole friends including Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Bumble. Hear the true meaning of Christmas aboard the Sing-A-Long Christmas Train and end your evening with Angelina the Snow Angel as she flies above the town and creates one last magical snowfall.
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- Studio shoot of the Snow Angel of Stone Mountain in Georgia.
Stone Mountain park is one of the most recognizable parks in the State of Georgia. The park sees four million visitors every year and they are tied with the Piedmont Park as the most visited attraction in Georgia.
This is the park’s 12th season of Snow Mountain, but the park has been in operation since 1965 and it rests on 3,200 acres. Outside of Snow Mountain, guests can camp, hike, take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain and even take a train ride. There are countless events and ways to keep the whole family entertained all year long.
So, if you are looking for snow without the traffic jams and the black ice, make your way just a little east of Atlanta and visit Snow Mountain Park. To find out more information, get a calendar of events or buy tickets, visit www.stonemountainpark.com.
