Enjoy the snow on two runners

Originally, the toboggan was a simple way to get relatively quickly from the high-altitude farms down into the village in the valley. The big brother of the toboggan, the horn sled, was used to transport hay or wood in winter from the alpine pastures to the farms. However, the toboggan had to be pulled back up the hill afterwards. In the same way, there are still some toboggan runs where, to begin with, riders have to pull their own sleds to the top, where usually a hut with a delicious lunch is waiting for them. But today there is also the support of a lift or cable car that will quickly carry you uphill with your borrowed toboggan so that you can repeat the downhill run several times.

The toboggan run in the Prags ski area: the newly built toboggan run is great fun, and the specially designed sleds with built-in handbrakes can simply be hung into the tow lift.

The toboggan run on the Haunold in Innichen: first take the chairlift up the mountain and then whiz down the approx. 2 km-long route. Night-time tobogganing is also offered twice a week – a headlamp is mandatory for this. Sleds can be hired from the ski hire shop next to the valley station.

The Rotwand toboggan run in Sexten: Take the gondola up the mountain and then whoosh down the 5km-long run which descends through a total of 600 metres. Sleds can be hired from the ski hire shop next to the valley station.

Innerfeld Valley: through the snowy larch meadow to the Dreischuster Hut.

Taistner Alp: from the car park to the Berggasthaus Mudlerhof through the forest climbing gently to the alp.

Ascht Alp: from St. Magdalena Church, first of all head alongside the ski lift then turn left through the forest to the alp.

Stumpf Alp: from St. Magdalena Church, first of all head briefly along the asphalt road and then follow the forest track which winds in long, sweeping corners through the forest to the alp.

Uwald Alp: from St. Magdalena Church, first of all head towards Burgerhof, however before reaching here, turn off to the right and follow the signs for Uwald Alp. Magnificent panoramic view of the Gsies Valley and as far as the Dolomites.

To ensure that tobogganing is carefree fun, you should be well equipped and follow a few basic rules. Apart from warm, waterproof and snowproof clothing, gloves and ski goggles against the wind as you descend, you will need sturdy footwear with very good grips, possibly even with spikes. Added to this, of course, you will need a good toboggan and for your own safety also a helmet, which in any case is mandatory in the ski resorts. Depending on the ground conditions, the braking zone can be really long, which is why it is essential to ride carefully leaving plenty of space between you and the rider in front. Interim stops should only be made in places with good visibility.