Remember the joy when the first snow covered the earth and you just couldn’t wait to grab your sledges and run sledding to the hill nearby your house? I still remember all the fun and laughter I had while sledding when I was a child. Even though I am now grown up I still immensely enjoy this fun winter activity. Luckily, I live in Switzerland, a country where the winters are still still cold and snowy enough to allow me to practice this sport. Last year I’ve tried the sledding tracks in Grindelwald and a year before the tracks in Engelberg. This year, I went sledding to Rigi – a 1,789 meters high summit in Central Switzerland and it was great! There was enough of fresh snow, sun was out and my husband and I had a lot of fun swishing down the snowy terrain!
“The Queen of the Mountains”, as Mount Rigi is sometimes nicknamed, is a popular destination to visit in all seasons. I have already been there in the summer, but never in winter. Somehow, I always considered Rigi more as a summer destination, ideal for hiking and other summer activities. I haven’t really thought about it as a place to go to do winter sports. For that reason, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that there are five sledging trails of varying difficulties in total length of 10 kilometres at Rigi. Previous weekend all of those tracks were open and snow conditions were ideal: 40 cm of snow. Without hesitation, my hubby and I chose to go sledding to Rigi.
As usual, we travelled to Rigi by car. After 30 minutes drive from Luzern, we arrived to Weggis, little town by the Lake Luzern (Vierwaldstättersee) where the lower station of the gondola can be found. We bought our sledging day-passes and ascent to Rigi Kaltbad at 1453 meters altitude.
At Rigi Kaltbad we’ve rented our sledges at Rigi Sport Kiosk by the railway station. Prepared for the sledging adventures, we’ve boarded the boarded the mountain train to the top of Rigi – Rigi Kulm at the altitude 1,798 meters above sea level. We’ve shared the coach with a group of Asian tourists who probably saw snow for the first time. They were super adorable when they were observing snow-covered landscape.
At Rigi Kulm, we walked to the highest point of the summit to admire the views from the top. Despite the light fog, they were as amazing as we remembered them from our previous trips.
When we’ve found the start of the trail no. 1, we’ve hopped on the sledges and the fun began. The trail we sledged from Rigi Kulm to Rigi Klösterli was ideal: it was long, had several interesting turns, descents and great views.
It took us about half an hour to sled down to Klösterli train station where we took the train back up to Rigi Kulm.
It was rather cold outside, so we’ve decided to warm ourselves at the restaurant of Rigi Kulm hotel. Of course we couldn’t resist ordering their delicious apple strudel with vanilla cream. As many times before, it was delicious.
By the time we left Rigi Kulm hotel, it started to snow. The snow-covered landscape turned even more beautiful when the snowflakes were falling on us. Real winter wonderland.
We’ve sledged down the sledding trail no. 2 to Rigi Staffel. Because we wanted to return to the valley the same way we arrived, we continued our way back in direction of Rigi Kaltbad. First, we walked the snowy walking trail to Rigi Staffelhöhe. There we’ve hopped on the sledges once again and sledge all the way down to the Rigi Kaltbad.
At Rigi Kaltbad we’ve returned our rented sledges. Tired, but happy that we’ve spent another amazing day at the snow, we’ve boarded the cable car and returned down to Weggis and from there back home to Luzern.
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS:
HOW TO GET TO Rigi?
There are many options to get to the top of Rigi (Rigi Kulm):
- from Vitznau (GPS coordinates: 47°00’37.4″N 8°29’01.6″E) take the cogwheel train (Rigi Bahn) to Rigi Kulm
- from Weggis (GPS coordinates: 47°02’02.7″N 8°26’26.6″E) take the cable car to Rigi Kaltbad and then the train to Rigi Kulm
- from Goldau (GPS coordinates: 47°02’50.6″N 8°32’49.5″E) take the cogwheel train (Rigi Bahn) to Rigi Kulm
Tip: If traveling by public transport, I suggest purchasing RailAway combined offer.
EXPENSES
- Discounted day sledging pass (Special Coop-Schlitteltage price): 25 CHF/person
- Sledge Rental: 10 CHF/person
- Two plates of Apple strudel with vanilla sauce at Hotel Rigi Kulm restaurant: 22 CHF
Looks so fun! I want to go.
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Yes, was fun. 🙂 Next time when you and Kenny are in Europe you should come to visit! 😉
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the dessert looks great!:)
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It was delicious. 😉
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Looks like a great time! Great video. Thanks. I felt like I was right there with you.
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Thank you! We had so much fun. I’m super happy you liked the video. 🙂
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Your winter wonderland has me wishing for a hot cup of cocoa. 😀
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A cup of hot cocoa definitely goes well with the fun on snow. 🙂
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Beautiful photos 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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It looks so, so beautiful! ❤ Love it. I'd have loved to spend some days there myself.
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Thank you Pooja! 🙂
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Wow what a beautiful winter wonderland! It looks like you had a lot of fun sledging down the hill mountain 🙂 and the apple strudel looks so delicious – I wish I could have some right now 😀
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Oh wow, I don’t even know where to start! This is spectacular! I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere with quite so much of a winter wonderland feeling 🙂
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What a beautiful sight! Wish I skied or went sledding more often but sadly since I’ve lived in Germany I haven’t made it, yet I’m always asking to go! In fact, you may have just given me an idea for my bday! #WanderfulWednesday
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I think birthday sledding is a great idea! Hope you’ll manage to go. 🙂
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Love love love this! We’re headed to Swedish Lapland in March and that’s exactly the kind of landscape we’re expecting there! Unfortunately the snow always melts quite fast here in Tromso as we’re at the coast so a skiing/sledding holiday always makes me excited 🙂
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Swedish Lapland is to me a synonym for the winter wonderland. Looking forward to read about it in your future posts 🙂
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That apple strudel looks so delicious and such a treat after sledging around Rigi!
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Oh yes, we couldn’t go to Rigi without having apple strudel – it’s the best! 🙂
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Excellent stuff! Such fun!
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I have also been up Rigi in summer but it looks fabulous in winter too! Nothing better than some hot food when you have been out in the snow! Looks like you had a great time! #farawayfiles #wanderfulwednesday
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I did have great time, thanks! Thanks for stoping by! 🙂
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You’re right, it is a Winter Wonderland! Beautiful photos! I’m not a fan of being out in the cold, but the dessert would definitely make it worthwhile. 🙂 #wanderfulwednesday
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I’m a warm-weather person too, but as long as I am all wrapped in warm winter clothes and I could do some snow activity, I don’t mind the cold. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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All that snow! it looks so pretty. I like the look of sledging and that very tempting cake as a reward at the end. Thanks for joining us on #FarawayFiles again Urska
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It was true winer wonderland. A pleasure, thanks for hosting! 🙂
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Wow! I’ve never been sledding before so this looks a bit scary, but so fun!! Love the video!! Thanks for sharing 🙂 #farawayfiles
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I’m super happy you liked the video! Thank you! 🙂
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Wow, this looks like so much fun! I’ve always associated Switzerland and mountains in general with skiing, I never even stopped to think that you could sled down them. I will definitely have to do this sometime! #farawayfiles
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You should – it’s a fun activity! 😉
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Oh that looks fun! Any years ago I lived in Switzerland and loved being able to get to the mountains every weekend. #FarawayFiles
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Having mountains so close it is definitely one of the perks of living in Switzerland. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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OH your posts make me so jealous! This is so beautiful and what a fun day! Love it! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles
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AWESOME!! This looks so beautiful and quite simply loads of fun; my kids would adore this!! I have hiked up Mount Rigi in summer, but never visited in winter. Thanks for giving me insane travel envy! #FarawayFiles
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Hehe, I’m sure your kids would love sledding. 😉 You might have to come back to Rigi in the winter. 😉
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This looks like so much fun. I’ve never sledged in ‘real’ snow before, just on the fields in England when we get a tiny bit of snow some winters. My kids and I would love to do this. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiiles
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It really does look like a winter wonderland. We love sledding! Makes me feel like a kid again :). #farawayfiles
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Wow this looks like some pretty intense sledding! I can still remember the excitement of snow as a child and have to admit I still get like that sometimes! Especially since I don’t see snow very much anymore! This looks like a lot of fun (and a wee bit scary) and the views are incredible! 😀
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Ah….sigh…my new home as of this month…
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We’re almost neighbours. 😉 Hope you’ll enjoy your time in Switzerland. 🙂
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Thanks!
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Wow – stunning photos it is a real life Winter Wonderland. I would love to go there. Sarah #adventurecalling
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Thank you Sarah! 🙂
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WOW! This looks lots of fun and your photos are incredible, what a stunning winter wonderland. The apple strudel looks pretty good too! #adventurecalling
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Thank you! Indeed it was a fun day at snow. Looking forward to do it again this winter. 🙂
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This looks like so much fun!
#AdventureCalling
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This looks like amazing fun and your photos are stunning too! We rarely get snow where we live in the centre of England. I can’t really remember the last time I went sledding.
#adventurecalling
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Thank you Sally-Jane. I feel you, when I used to live in London I missed snow and snow related activities so much.
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I’m hoping and praying for some quality snowfall here this winter. I can’t wait to take the kids sledging. As our eldest toddler is also doing his indoor ski lessons at the moment this post has also got me excited for my February trip to Italy. Thanks for joining us in #adventurecalling . I hope you can again tomorrow.
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Oh wow that looks like a brilliant way to spend a day! I’m really hoping for some snow as my son is just the right age now and he would love it! I showed him your video and he got very excited! I must remember not to read your posts when I’m hungry, I always end up craving apple strudel! Thanks for sharing with us #AdventureCalling
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Oh, sweet. I’m sure your son would love such day of sledding at Rigi. I hope you’ll get some snow in the UK soon. 🙂
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Amazing! No wonder they call it Queen of the Mountains.
#TheWeeklyPostcard
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Whoah, that looks absolutely divine! What an excellent winter trip!!
#TheWeeklyPostcard
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That is some serious sledding! Add in apple strudel and it looks like it was the perfect day! I’m envious.
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Indeed! Come and experience it yourself! Rigi just got 10cm of fresh snow during the night. 😉
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Urska, it all looks like so much fun 🙂
#TheWeeklyPostcard
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I’m planning a trip to Switzerland in 2018 (my first time!) and came across your blog on the The Weekly Postcard linkup and now I can’t wait to dive in to your posts! This sledding trip looks like a lot of fun and that apple strudel looks absolutely delicious!!!
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Thank you so much Julie! I hope you’ll find some useful infos on my blog. 🙂
PS: I just replied to your e-mail. 🙂
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So pretty and the stredel sounds like a great way to warm up. I can’t believe how much snow there is there! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
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There is a lot of snow up there, yes – currently 60cm. It must have been a true winter fairy-tale up there. 🙂
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Ooooh, so much snow! We both come from warm weather areas, so we get excited over a few flurries. A real winter wonderland makes us giddy! Love the sledding – it looks so fun! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard 🙂
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