Rick Steves Recommends One Awesome Alpine Adventure In Europe For True Thrill-Seekers
Are you ready for a wild, alpine ride? If you've ever visited a mountainous region of Europe — you may have heard squeals of joy coming from the hilltops. No, it's not Maria and the rest of the Von Trapp family— what you most likely heard were the sounds of people enjoying an alpine coaster (also known as a mountain coaster, summer luge, or toboggan). What is an alpine coaster, you ask? Sadly, it's not a random rollercoaster set in the middle of the mountains with steep drops and terrifying loops. It's actually a thrilling bobsled coaster that you can control.
Most mountain coasters, like rollercoasters, are attached to rails. However, sometimes, riders sit in a go-kart with wheels that glide down the mountain on a half-pipe trough, much like an actual bobsled (without the necessary agility). Unlike a roller coaster that is operated by someone else, these alpine coasters are controlled with a personalized braking system that the rider handles. Also, unlike a roller coaster, mountain coasters are driven by gravity. Luckily for riders, you don't have to drag your coaster back up the hill you just came down since they have pully systems in place to take you back to the top. Not only are alpine coasters a super fun way to spend a day outside (in both summer and winter, depending on the location), but they are also one of Rick Steves's favorite ways to experience thrills while staying on the ground!
Keep your hands, feet, and legs inside the coaster
Steves has one particular bit of sage advice on his website, writing, "To avoid getting into a bumper-to-bumper traffic jam, let the person in front of you get way ahead before you start." As someone who has been on a few alpine coasters, let me just tell you that this advice is no joke, especially for those who have a need for speed. These things can reach speeds between 25 and 30 mph, depending on the terrain. As Steves states, "Novices find out quickly their personal speed limits." You'll also want to follow the number one rule of luging: keeping both hands on the brake. Another rule that most places put in place is that phones or cameras are not allowed unless you have a chest or head strap to hold it in place and keep both hands free.
Alpine coasters have been delighting both families and adrenaline junkies since 1996 when the first coaster was built in Austria. There are a multitude of options to choose from on your next European adventure if you decide that hopping aboard an alpine coaster is your kind of fun. If you're ever exploring Neuschwanstein, the Bavarian castle that inspired Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Steves suggests checking out Teggelberg Luge, located nearby. Or, if you find yourself hiking in Austria, he recommends checking out the Biberwier Sommerrodelbahn located "between Reutte and Innsbruck, which has the longest run in Tirol." Every mountain coaster or slide has its own rules regarding minimum height and age, so check the website first if you have any questions.