Full speed ahead – all the fun of tobogganing in Innsbruck
Last updated on 22.01.2019
Children love it and adults too – tobogganing. Well wrapped up trudging through a landscape covered in glittering snow and then the exhilarating reward of racing down into the valley in a toboggan. And fortunately, the nearest toboggan run in Innsbruck is never far away. The wide range of options includes family toboggan runs with a short climb on foot, runs with lifts, technically demanding courses and the possibility of a romantic “evening ride” under a starry sky.
The toboggan runs in the Innsbruck region take you through picturesque snow-covered winter landscapes and past charming mountain huts, irresistible places to call in for refreshments, before a thrilling toboggan ride back down into the valley at full speed. Toboggan fans have a wide choice of runs: family-friendly, sporting, technically demanding, romantic, gentle and extra-long. And if you don’t have your own toboggan, you can often hire one directly from the mountain hut. Because the city of Innsbruck is so close to the surrounding mountains, you can get to the toboggan runs quickly and easily by public transport and, thanks to the Welcome Card, it’s often even free.
The fun of tobogganing for every taste
The Gleirschalm toboggan run in the Sellraintal valley is ideal for families with small children. The walk up to the run takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and the path is on a gentle gradient which children can easily manage, for the most part even with a separate path. The perfectly maintained natural toboggan run can usually be ridden throughout the winter. After the short walk up, there’s a playground for the children to enjoy, and the tobogganing area is right in front of the hut’s terrace, which means that parents can relax on the inviting sun terrace and keep an eye on their children.
More serious tobogganers will find the Simmeringalm toboggan run in Obsteig on the Mieming Plateau will suit them perfectly. It’s about a two-hour walk up to the run just above the tree line at 1,820 metres. You can call in for refreshments at the rustic mountain inn and enjoy the panoramic views of the Inntal valley, the Ötztal valley Alps, the Stubai Alps and the Mieminger Kette chain. Then it’s off on the toboggan run of medium difficulty with lots of elongated curves down into the valley. Its total length of 6.4 kilometres makes it one of the longest toboggan runs in Tyrol. (Toboggan rental at the Simmering Alm.)
The Kemater Alm near Innsbruck is a “toboggan classic“. Starting from the Sportcafe in Grinzens and after a climb through the wooded Senderstal valley, a marvellous view opens up of the Kalkkögel mountains – a magnificent landscape that appeals not only to nature lovers. The walking time is approx. 2 hours, with an altitude gain of 680 metres. After enjoying some refreshments – the food at the Kemater Alm is famous for its quality – it’s a fast run down through the Senderstal valley without too many twists and turns back to the starting point.
A romantic winter wonderland spreads out before the eyes of night sledgers at the Graf Ferdinand House in Kühtai. Although it‘s the highest toboggan run in Tyrol, it‘s only a 45-minute walk. The magic of a descent in the moonlight and under the stars can be enjoyed on the illuminated run until 1 am. The 2.5-kilometre descent into the heart of the Kühtai ski resort is great fun and offers splendid views of the unique winter landscape in the high valley. (Toboggan rental at the Graf Ferdinand House.)
With its 8.1 kilometres, the toboggan run on the Rangger Köpfl is the longest in the region around Innsbruck but the gondola lift makes getting there very easy. There are three inns along the route – the Rosskogelhütte, Gasthaus Sulzstich and Gasthaus Stiglreith – which are irresistible places for hungry outdoor fans to enjoy a relaxing refreshment stop. The toboggan experience on the Rangger Köpfl starts in Oberperfuss. Fit people can manage the entire walk up on foot, but the gondola lift offers a much easier alternative, taking sledgers from the valley station to the Stiglreith inn and on to the Sulzstich inn. From there an 8-kilometre run leads back to the valley. But there’s also the option of extending the fun of the descent by starting even further up, because a 30 to 45-minute hike takes you from the Sulzstich to the Rosskogel inn. If you start here, you can enjoy a 10-kilometre long ride with lots curves and full of variety. (Rosskogelhütte: toboggan rental – no, Stiglreith toboggan rental – yes)
Tips and further information
Please use your common sense and make sure you‘re safe. Wearing a helmet is taken for granted for skiing, but you also should wear one for sledging because the descent can be extremely rapid. Good footwear helps with braking, and keeping a good distance from those in front also applies to toboggan riders. Before setting off it‘s advisable to check the latest cable car operating times, mountain hut opening hours and the state of the run.
Toboggan runs and getting there: www.winterrodeln.org
Free Mobility – Welcome Card: the Welcome Card offers guests a special additional service. With the card lots of VVT buses within the holiday destination of Innsbruck can be used free of charge. Further information at: www.innsbruck.info/erleben/welcome-card.html
Bergbahnen Oberperfuss: www.rangger-koepfl.at