Nachtrodeln

Last night Anna and I braved one of the classic Tirolian traditions - the Rodelbahn. When the sun goes down, a 7km long course of ski trails is illuminated and the sides are built up to create a kind of luge for sleds. The course is one of the longest in the world. Since it combines all the fun bits of sledding (going down the hill) with none of the boring bits of sledding (walking up), it is an absolute dream for any one who wishes sledding was a little more exhilarating. 

At 7pm, Anna and I took the 15 minute Silvretta cable car ride up the mountain. Once you get to the tippy top, you pick up a tobagan, that looks more like a child's toy than a speed demon, but dont be fooled- they are in no way too cutesy to actually be functional. They fly!

The course follows the outside of the ski slopes and is complete with hair pin turns and steep, steep drops.  When you first start moving it's like getting into a car with no brakes, and no steering wheel on a down hill. By trial and error you quickly learn that dropping one foot lightly will point you in the right direction and by digging in both heels you can almost stop. 

Nachtrodelbahn is really one of those things that you just could never see happening in America they way it is done here. Since the only real 'precaution' is at most a two foot high barrier of snow separating you from the precipice on the other side, it makes sense why children ride with parents in most cases. In some places the trail just drops away into the alpine forest. But unlike what my dad tried to get Anna and I to believe, there are no ambulances waiting at the bottom and everyone generally makes it down in one piece. 

If you're wondering how they get all those sleds get back up to the top of the mountain? They put them on a giant sled and pull them up on a trail groomer.

Anna and I made it down in one piece and enjoyed every second of it! Even if you don't have a 7km long course, get out there and sled! This reminded me what a good time it is, even if you do have to walk back up- it's worth it to feel the whoosh of childlike joy that sledding always brings.