Sledding run: top best runs for all ages

Friendly, easy to use, and inexpensive: sledding is an activity with multiple advantages for enjoying your mountain holiday!

A SIMPLE PLEASURE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL

Unlike skiing or snowboarding, sledding does not require complex technical learning or expensive equipment. Everyone can enjoy a sled ride, for just a few euros, and sometimes even for free.

For the youngest, sledding is a way to discover sliding in a fun way and it can replace a stroller during walks. For slightly older children, it's a fun and safe activity. And for adults, it's a Proustian madeleine that rekindles the child's soul and can offer thrills.

A FUN AND FRIENDLY APRÈS-SKI

Sledding is also a perfect activity for the end of the day, when the slopes are closed to skiers. Many resorts indeed offer evening descents, adding a magical dimension to the experience.

It's an excellent way to end a day beautifully, having fun and enjoying a friendly atmosphere with loved ones and other vacationers.

The snow front is the heart of the resort, where most of the ski lifts depart and the main slopes arrive. It's also where the majority of secure sledding areasare located, particularly designed for children.

Accessible for free, these “sledding areas” are delimited zones, sometimes fenced with nets for added safety. In some resorts, they are even equipped with moving carpets for effortless ascent.

To diversify winter activities, some ski resorts have invested in long marked sledding runs, accessible via ski lifts. Separate from ski areas, they offer a secure space and can provide various sliding experiences:

• family slopes, with gentle and wide slopes, perfect for beginners and young children;

• thrill slopes, with a faster course, turns, modules, tunnels, etc.

In some cases, there is no dedicated slope, but sledding sessions are organized on the ski slopes at the end of the day, when skiers no longer have access to them.

Tempted by a sled ride during your next snow trip? Here are some of the best runs, mostly located in the Alps.

LA COSMOJET IN VAL THORENS

With 6 km in length and a 45-minute descent, the Cosmojet sled run in Val Thorens is the longest in France! The departure is located at an altitude of 3000 meters, at the top of the Péclet funitel, offering a breathtaking view of the surroundings.

Defying the many turns of the Cosmojet without falling is almost mission impossible, but that's also what makes the experience fun. Especially since on a dedicated track, with a helmet and a sled with brakes, the activity is completely safe.

This sled descent is accessible from 10 years old solo, and possible for 5-9 year olds in tandem with an adult.

The daytime descent costs €20.50 (free for children aged 9 and under), and includes the sled, helmet, and ascent by the Péclet funitel. Provided there are enough participants, descents are also organized in the evening from Wednesday to Friday (€30.50 per descent).

THE SLEDDING RUNS AT LES ARCS

If you are staying in Les Arcs, you can enjoy two sledding runs:

• Luge 1800, at the top of the Villards gondola: 900 meters of descent, with a luminous and sound tunnel, turns and forest passages. Accessible from 3 years old – €9 per descent without a special pack.

• Luge 2000, at the top of the Arcabulle chairlift: 3 km of descent, with banked turns and fast zones, for maximum thrills. Accessible from 12 years old (14 years old solo) - €14 per descent without a special pack.

LA LUGE N’TROLL AUX SAISIES

In Les Saisies, sledding is practiced at night, with departures between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Reserved for over 10s, this activity is perfect for a fun après-ski with family or friends. Don't miss testing this sledding activity and its 2 km descent if you are staying in Les Saisies.

The descent is priced at €15 per person, and of course includes all necessary equipment: sled, helmet, and headlamp.

LA ROC’N BOB IN MERIBEL

Méribel also offers a long sledding run on its ski area: the Roc’n Bob. It is a 4 km course, with 450 meters of negative elevation gain and 22 turns.

The experience can be enjoyed day or night, as the slope is open from 2:30 PM to 6:45 PM. You will be equipped with a headlamp if you opt for the nocturnal descent.

The Roc’n Bob is accessible for adults and children from 7 years old, at a price of €14 per descent, and free for children under 10, who must be accompanied by an adult.

LA DEVAL’BOB IN SERRE-CHEVALIER

Now heading to the Southern Alps, with the Déval’Bob at the resort of Serre-Chevalier. The descent is quite sensational, with 4 km of slope allowing you to cover almost 600 meters of negative elevation and wind through 26 tight turns. A fun time ahead, which can be enjoyed by adults and teenagers from 12 years old.

Go to the Info Sales Points to purchase your descent: €13 for a skier who already has their pass and €16 for a pass also including the ascent by the Aravet gondola (Serre-Chevalier Villeneuve).

Your winter sports destination doesn't offer a toboggan run? No worries, you're sure to find other ways to experience the joys of sliding without skis, with the following activities:

• rail sledding , designed to operate in summer and winter;

• snowtubing, with buoy descents on snow on a dedicated slope, and even jumps onto a Big Air Bag;

• fun descent in Snake Gliss (sleds linked to each other);

• introduction to yooner, etc.