There’s one thing concerning the crisp alpine air, the snow-covered peaks, and the sheer thrill of being surrounded by nature’s grandeur that simply seems like magic. The Alps, particularly, have a particular place in my coronary heart. There’s nowhere else on the earth the place winter feels fairly as excellent—charming villages, steaming mugs of sizzling chocolate, and the promise of journey round each bend.
That stated, my relationship with snowboarding took a flip for the more severe once I tore my ACL. One dangerous fall, a pointy ache, and similar to that, my snowboarding days had been over. Sure, I do know I may have tried once more, however since I additionally broke my ankle and leg mountaineering I made a decision to CHILL. But when there’s one factor that damage taught me, it’s that there’s multiple option to benefit from the mountains. And that’s once I actually found sledding—or tobogganing, because it’s usually referred to as in Europe. Belief me, it’s simply as enjoyable as snowboarding, with out the chance of a hospital go to (effectively, largely).
Europe is house to a few of the finest sledding runs on the earth, a lot of them as thrilling as any ski slope. Whether or not you are searching for a high-speed descent down a mountain go or a leisurely trip via a snow-covered forest, there’s an ideal run for everybody. And in contrast to snowboarding, sledding is way more budget-friendly, making it an accessible option to benefit from the mountains with out the hefty raise ticket costs.
My favourite locations to sled:
- Grindelwald, Switzerland
- Bramberg, Austria
- Wildkogel Toboggan Run – 14 km, from Wildkogelbahn raise, longest floodlit run
- Courchevel-Moriond, France
- Courchevel 1850, France
- Meribel Centre
- Les Menuires
- Val Thorens, France
- Cosmojet – 6 km, VT13 Funitel Peclet raise – Often 10-16:00 however you’ll be able to e-book it till 18:00
- Valmorel, France
- Gulli – 2.4 km, Combelouvière chairlift in Doucy
- Mountain Cart – Pierrefort cable automotive in Valmorel Village
- Wilder Kaiser, Austria
- Zillertal, Austria
- Les Diablerets, Switzerland
- 7 km sled run in Alpes Vaudoises
- Gstaad, Switzerland
- A number of tuns, my favourite is Eggli Run, 6.4KM
- Wispile Run 8.2 Km
- Rottach-Egern, Germany
- Wallberg Toboggan Run – 6.5 km, from Wallbergbahn raise
- Zugspitze, Germany
- Close to Bibsee Cable Automobile, 3km
Sledding is without doubt one of the finest methods to benefit from the mountains with out the excessive price (or excessive threat) of snowboarding. Most runs price below €15 per trip and lots of embody your raise tickets AND sled rental! Plus, it’s simply pure, unfiltered enjoyable. Whether or not you’re racing down a floodlit monitor in Austria, taking within the Swiss Alps on a 10-km descent, or testing your nerve on a nook, sledding is an expertise you received’t overlook.
In case you’re planning a winter journey to the Alps, be certain that so as to add sledding to your itinerary. And in the event you see me on the slopes, I’ll be the one on a sled—ACL intact and grinning all the way in which down.
