The 5 most beautiful slopes for full moon sledging
Night sledging is very popular. There is hardly a winter sports region that doesn't offer this fun and attracts sledging enthusiasts to the floodlit pistes at night. First a fondue with the family in the summit restaurant and then a leisurely ride down into the valley to round off the evening. What more could you want?
Göglä, not google. This is the verb for sledging in the Prättigau dialect.
The only thing that puts the brakes on the fun: there is too little or too sticky snow and you get stuck on the slope with the sledge even when the snow level is over 70 per cent. The child is freezing, tired and screaming bloody murder. The headlamp is crooked (à la Loriot «The picture is crooked» and you go from the frying pan into the fire when adjusting it).
Silently kissing the earth
But it gets even steeper. For all the optimists and unabashed romantics among you, we take a look at the Olympics of sledging and by far the most glamorous form of this popular adventure on two runners: Night sledging under a full moon.
The moon, the largest celestial lantern for us earthlings, our faithful satellite, transforms every snowy landscape into a glittering fairytale world when it shines round and full. «It was as if heaven had silently kissed the earth», wrote Josef von Eichendorff in his famous poem «Moonlit Night». There is no better way to express the magic of the moon.
Have we whetted your appetite? Then pull out your pen and grab your agenda: the next full moon weekends are from 3 to 5 February and 3 to 5 March 2023.
We have selected the five most beautiful Swiss toboggan runs that offer full moon sledging, from east to west.
1st Graubünden: Göglä on the longest toboggan run
12 kilometres of tobogganing fun and thus the longest toboggan run in Switzerland. This is what you will find in the Fideriser Heubergen, part of Prättigau in the canton of Graubünden. Only around an hour and a half away from Zurich. On a winding route, the trail leads over 1100 metres in altitude down into the valley and promises an unforgettable «Gögel» experience.
You read correctly: göglä, not google. That's the verb for sledging in Prättigau dialect. In the 2022/23 winter season, buses will run from 24 December 2022 until the end of the season. You can find all information about the mountain rides here: heuberge.ch. We say: «Ab gä göglä!»
2nd Appenzell: Magical full moon ride on the Kronberg
Another full moon sledging pearl awaits on the Kronberg in the canton of Appenzell. The night-time toboggan run by moonlight is possible every Friday and Saturday around the full moon. If you want to enjoy a fondue in the mountain restaurant beforehand, you'll have to hurry: The restaurant books up quickly. You can find more information here: kronberg.ch
Safely into the valley instead of the hospital
- Wear a helmet and back protector.
- Wear high, sturdy shoes with a good tread - in icy conditions also with braking aids.
- Only toboggan on marked toboggan runs, obstacle-free paths or slopes with a clear run.
- The best way to sledge is with a toboggan.
Source: bfu.ch
3. central Switzerland: From the Rigi aberugele
In the heart of Switzerland, in the middle of Helvetian primary rock - we swear - another tobogganing pearl awaits you at 1551 metres above sea level. After travelling by car to Obergschwend, take the aerial cableway to Rigi Burggeist, where the magic begins. Whizz down the mountain slope either silently or loudly. Howl at the moon, shout with the stars. Whatever makes you feel good is just right. You can find more information about the mountain rides here: shop.rigi.ch
4th Bernese Oberland: What a panorama!
The 3.5-kilometre-long toboggan run from Elsigenalp to Elsigbach starts directly at the mountain station of the cable car. The photogenic route then leads through open and wooded terrain. You can find more information here. For information on other toboggan runs in the region, please click here.
5 Fribourg: Restless with the guestless
Enjoy a speedy toboggan ride with the whole family at the foot of the impressive Gastlosen. Halfway up, you can relax for the first time and enjoy the unique panorama for ten minutes on a gentle uphill walk.
The second part of the toboggan run promises speed, from 1350 metres down to the valley floor. After 800 metres along the Jaunbach you are back at the starting point, the valley station of the Gastlosen-Express. Free car parking is available. You can find more information about the mountain rides here: fribourgregion.ch
The 10 sledging rules:
- Be considerate of others
- Adapt your speed and riding style to your ability
- Respect the lane of the vehicle in front
- Overtake at a safe distance
- Look up before entering and pulling away
- Stop at the edge
- Get on and off at the edge
- Observe signs and markings
- Provide assistance
- In the event of an accident: Give personal details
Source: bfu.ch
