Tobogganing (***) is a serious sport for residents of Grindelwald.
They have tobogganing runs that are the longest in the world, as much as 15
km.
As
our friend Ruth explains, each area of Switzerland has a different
toboggan style. The region of origin is proudly stamped on the
toboggan. In her hometown of Grindelwald, where Tobogganing is an
especially well regarded and serious sports, the toboggan is a very simple
design - basically a seat with nothing for steering or speed control.
The
"controls" are your feet and hands. The basic maneuvers are learned in
10 minutes.
Here are the basics. (But be sure to also get a hands-on lesson from a
resident expert (as we did!)).
-
Lie
back for maximum speed; keep feet up in the air
-
Lower left (right) foot lightly into snow to steer left (right).
Alternate left-right foot action to stay on trail
-
Powder slows you down.... aim to packed snow or ice for maximum speed.
-
Raise front to slow or stop (this maneuver has to be demonstrated to you.)
There is one other detail: stop and take a break at the wine huts
along the way down. There is no better way to survive a 10 km toboggan run.
The
ski rental shops in the village also rent toboggans. They have a
variety of styles - the basic Grindelwald and others.
(2005)
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Ruth towing her toboggan to the
starting point. The start of a 10 km toboggan trail.

A beginner's (Ron) first run down.
The photo on the right shows the foot action needed to correct course to
left (with left foot down).

Here is how a pro (Ruth) does
it....

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