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
