Welcome to Ursa Major!! (aka The Great Bear, or The Big Dipper)
We are proud to invite you to enjoy our 3 bedroom, 3 bath home in the heart of Chalet Village, Gatlinburg. Larger than most homes in the area, we feature spacious living and game rooms, full size pool table and bar, hot tub and sauna, two wrap-around decks and seasonal views! Plus access to Chalet Village Owner's Club community pools, fitness center and tennis courts. Many renovations have been completed to modernize this classic chalet.
Located in the heart of Chalet Village, Ursa Major has easy access to downtown Gatlinburg, the main entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park, Ober Gatlinburg, Chalet Village community pools, and is a quick drive to Pigeon Forge. This is an amazing mountain retreat, and the property size ensures that you're not too close to your neighbors. If you've been in this area, you know that the roads can sometimes be exciting to say the least! The drive to our house does feature a couple of switchbacks and climbs, but is easily doable and the driveway can accommodate 3 cars.
Upon entering, you'll instantly relax when you step into the open concept living room with vaulted ceilings and wall of windows that let in tons of natural light from the wrap-around deck. Also, we have updated the kitchen with new stainless steel appliances and large dining area.
Downstairs, you'll be thrilled with all of the features you're looking for in a mountain vacation home: Extra large hot tub on the deck, classic full size Brunswick pool table (with enough room to play!), wet bar with a microwave and coffee maker, large screen TV, and bonus Sauna!!
Ursa Major comfortably sleeps 8 people with 2 bedrooms on the main floor and one downstairs. The Master King suite has a private bathroom with shower. The second upstairs bedroom features a Queen bed with an adjacent full bathroom. The third bedroom downstairs has a King bed and another adjacent full bathroom. Plus we have a day bed with trundle in the game room. All bedrooms have TVs and cable package.
Please enjoy your stay and share your best memories! We're committed to delivering the best Gatlinburg vacation experience, and look forward to hosting many repeat visitors.
SEASONAL GUIDE TO STAYING AT URSA MAJOR
Staying at Ursa Major or the Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge area is amazing all year round, but there are some things things that are better depending on the season. Here's a general guide:
Spring (March/April/May)
Temperatures are generally mild with highs mostly in the 60s-70s and lows in the mid 30s-50s. March is one of the busiest months in the area. Bears are starting to venture out of their dens and seeing them around the neighborhood is a regular occurrence (sometimes even with new cubs!). Wildflowers and lightning bugs also are stars of the National Park. Increasing spring rains bring new green foliage, full streams and waterfalls. Note that mountain views from Ursa Major begin to lessen as the leaves fill in. Also, this is a great time to check out Dollywood when it opens for the year.
Summer (June/July/August)
Average highs in the high 80s and lows in the 60s. Chalet Village pools and recreational facilities are open to Ursa Major guests, and usually are open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you're looking for great hiking, the National Park is in full swing. On hotter days, keep in mind that the temperatures cool off by sometimes 10 degrees or more at the higher elevations. Views are obscured by dense trees at Ursa Major at this time and it feels like a cozy treehouse in the forest!
Fall (September/October/November)
Obviously the area is known for its amazing fall colors, and Ursa Major is right in the middle of the show! Though the timing of the peak colors vary from year to year, generally you will get to see some foliage between mid-September and early November. The timing also varies by elevation (Ursa Major is about 1100 feet above the town of Gatlinburg). There are many fall festivals happening including Octoberfest at Ober Gatlinburg, Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff, the Craftmen's Fair, Ripley's Fright Nights leading up to Halloween, and more.
Winter (December/January/February)
While this is the generally the slowest tourist time of year in the area, it's also a great opportunity to enjoy the area without the crowds! If shopping is your thing, that is definitely still on in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. If you like to ski, Ober Gatlinburg is usually open and they do have snow making capabilities (check their site for current conditions). With the leaves having fallen, mountain views from Ursa Major's window-filled living room and decks are at their best. Make sure to see an amazing sunset from the chalet! Also, keep an eye on the weather - snow and ice are possible, and conditions can even change from downtown on the way up the mountain. Four wheel drive vehicles and snow chains may be needed to get around Chalet Village in the winter months.
