Post by schlitten on Mar 1, 2006 17:20:47 GMT -6
Having returned from our annual sledding pilgrimage to Switzerland, we are once again frustrated by the lack of “adult” sledding opportunities in our own country. By adult sledding I mean, some form of mechanized transportation to the top of the sled run, i.e., train, tram, rail, bus, gondola, lift, etc.; none of this huffing & puffing, and long one to five mile sled runs.
The Grindelwald area of central Switzerland has over 20 miles (32km) of dedicated and groomed sled runs. The hard part is deciding which trail to use today. The Jungfrau Region (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Murren and Lauderbrunnen) also sells sledders and hikers a pass which provides access to all forms of transportation, except ski chair lifts. This permits you to expend all your energy in doing what you came for, sledding, and a minimum on schlepping and buying individual tickets.
There are also excellent sledding opportunities in other areas of Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria.
Over the past eight years, these areas have experienced a continued growth in the demand for sled runs, and have expanded the infrastructure to accommodate the demand and satisfy the market. Summer mountain roads, with a continuous incline, good snow fall and reasonable proximity to some form of transportation, are groomed and made available to sledders. Ski shops add sleds, from low to high tech for sale or rental, thus giving them a new niche in the market and increased revenue. This is a growing sport along all points in the age spectrum, from grandparents to young kids. More and more folks, like us, are finding that sledding is a way to revel in the beauty of the snowy landscape without taking up skiing and snowboarding.
Unfortunately, the U.S. and Canadian Ski-Powers-That-Be have yet to learn the lessons of their European brethren. Each year, about this time, I come home from a great sledding vacation and search the internet to see if some ski resort has picked up the ski glove and chosen to welcome sledders into the fold. And each year I am disappointed. Those few ski resort websites that do mention sledding usually include some restrictions that indicate that although they are willing to take your money, it is with the understanding that you are a second-class citizen and should not expect the rights of skiers and snowboarders.
So, until such time as the ski resorts wake up and recognize that there is a very lucrative new market that they can tap, for the small effort of installing a couple of 5 mile sled runs, I will continue to take my money to the land of gluhwein (hot mulled wine), rostis (shredded potatoes), chocolate and fondue, and enjoy the hospitality of the Swiss.
The Grindelwald area of central Switzerland has over 20 miles (32km) of dedicated and groomed sled runs. The hard part is deciding which trail to use today. The Jungfrau Region (Interlaken, Grindelwald, Murren and Lauderbrunnen) also sells sledders and hikers a pass which provides access to all forms of transportation, except ski chair lifts. This permits you to expend all your energy in doing what you came for, sledding, and a minimum on schlepping and buying individual tickets.
There are also excellent sledding opportunities in other areas of Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria.
Over the past eight years, these areas have experienced a continued growth in the demand for sled runs, and have expanded the infrastructure to accommodate the demand and satisfy the market. Summer mountain roads, with a continuous incline, good snow fall and reasonable proximity to some form of transportation, are groomed and made available to sledders. Ski shops add sleds, from low to high tech for sale or rental, thus giving them a new niche in the market and increased revenue. This is a growing sport along all points in the age spectrum, from grandparents to young kids. More and more folks, like us, are finding that sledding is a way to revel in the beauty of the snowy landscape without taking up skiing and snowboarding.
Unfortunately, the U.S. and Canadian Ski-Powers-That-Be have yet to learn the lessons of their European brethren. Each year, about this time, I come home from a great sledding vacation and search the internet to see if some ski resort has picked up the ski glove and chosen to welcome sledders into the fold. And each year I am disappointed. Those few ski resort websites that do mention sledding usually include some restrictions that indicate that although they are willing to take your money, it is with the understanding that you are a second-class citizen and should not expect the rights of skiers and snowboarders.
So, until such time as the ski resorts wake up and recognize that there is a very lucrative new market that they can tap, for the small effort of installing a couple of 5 mile sled runs, I will continue to take my money to the land of gluhwein (hot mulled wine), rostis (shredded potatoes), chocolate and fondue, and enjoy the hospitality of the Swiss.