Sledging Switzerland: The Best Sledge Runs

Sledging is a great option for non-skiers in Switzerland. You not only get to enjoy the colder months of the year, you can also get an adrenaline rush too!

It’s no secret that Switzerland is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, primarily because of the country’s incredibly beautiful nature. But Switzerland is also home to countless fun activities to do in the great outdoors, and sledging is very popular among people who aren’t into skiing or snowboarding.

This detailed guide to sledging in Switzerland covers all the best runs in the country, so there’s bound to be at least one at the ski resort you are visiting!

Bussalp – Grindelwald

• Length: 5.4 kilometers
• Time: 30 minutes
• Elevation: 1800 meters

Bussalp to Grindelwald is one of the most famous sledge runs in the Jungfrau region. It’s not the longest or the most exciting run in the area (we’ll tell you about that one later), but it is the best family-friendly toboggan run you can do with your kids.

The run is from Bussalp to Weidli, and in total it is around 5.4 kilometers. The descent is only about 30 minutes long, so you can repeat the sledge run as many times as you want. You can get transferred to the start of the run by bus, and it is possible to purchase daily tickets that allow you to ride the bus as many times as you want.

Also, it’s worth noting that the summit of Bussalp is easily accessible by bus from Grindelwald, a beautiful village famous for ski resorts and mountain hiking trails. You can easily get to Grindelwald by public transport from most railway stations in Switzerland.

Another thing to keep in mind is that this sledge run is just one part of a much longer run that is known as the longest toboggan run in Europe. Big Pintenfritz, the 12-kilometer run from Faulhorn through Bussalp to Grindelwald, can only be accessed by hiking trails, so the Bussalp-Grindelwald run is the better option for families and people who are limited on time.

Preda-Bergün-Schlittelbahn

• Length: 6 kilometers
• Time: 45 minutes
• Elevation: 1780 meters

Preda-Bergün-Schlittelbahn is a family-friendly toboggan run suitable for total beginners and small children. The run is easy, fun, and can be done during the day or at night. The night sled runs are available from Tuesday to Sunday, and the entire trail is illuminated for a truly remarkable experience.

The total length of the run is around 6 kilometers, with an elevation change of 400 meters. It’s not a very steep run, which is precisely why it’s safe for small kids. The trail even passes through the viaducts of the Rhaetian Railway, for spectacular sights along the way.

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the only exciting toboggan run in the area. There’s also a sledging run from Darlux to Bergün, which is faster and more challenging. The other toboggan run isn’t a good option for small kids, but they are allowed on the trail if adults accompany them.

There are train connections between Bergün and Preda every 30 minutes in the winter season, so you could do this run more than once if you wanted. Also, it is possible to purchase day passes, which allow for unlimited rides in one day, for those of you who want to spend an entire day descending this exciting sledge run. A combo ticket gives you access to both sledge runs in the area.

Preda has a train station, so you can easily reach it by public transport. Preda has direct connections to Chur and Engadin, and if you are traveling from a different town in Switzerland, you will most likely have to change trains at one of these two towns. The trains run until 8:45 PM (to Chur) and 10:15 PM (to Engadin), so night time sledding might not be possible if you are relying solely on public transport to get around.

Melchsee-Frutt to Stöckalp

• Length: 8 kilometers
• Time: 45 minutes
• Elevation: 1920 meters

The Melchsee-Frutt to Stöckalp sledge run is one of the longest runs in central Switzerland. It’s approximately 8 kilometers long and features a total elevation change of some 1,000 meters, so it’s one of the best sledge runs for people who are looking for a properly challenging toboggan run in Switzerland.

Because of the technical difficulty of the toboggan run, it’s not permitted to bring dogs along for the ride. Children are welcome, but only if adults accompany them. If you’re looking for family-friendly sledge runs suitable for toddlers and small kids, this isn’t one of those. But if you want an adrenaline rush while admiring the fantastic landscapes of central Switzerland, this is easily one of the best toboggan runs for you.

Sledge rental is available on location, and it’s also possible via the webshop. It’s worth noting that reservations are mandatory for groups of more than 10 people, so keep that in mind if you’re going sledding with many others.

Melchsee-Frutt is accessible by gondola from Melchtal Stöckalp, just a few minutes away from the nearby parking lot. The village is most easily accessible by car, so this toboggan run is ideal for those traveling by car in Switzerland. It’s also possible to reach it by the Post Bus 343 line, which travels from Sarnen via Krens.

Stoos

• Length: 2 kilometers
• Time: 15 minutes
• Elevation: 1920 meters

The Stoos Schlittelpiste is a short and fun toboggan run of around 2 kilometers. It takes about 15 minutes to descend down the trail and the run is generally quite easy and entertaining, so it’s perfectly suitable for children. However, the kids should be accompanied by adults – the elevation change is significant, and the run can sometimes become quite steep.

There are multiple sledge runs in the Stoos area, all of which are fun for the entire family. Most runs are short and easy, so safe even for kids going on their first sled run. Because one run can be done in just around 15 minutes, this is one of those toboggan runs you can do repeatedly until you get utterly bored.

Stoos is a village near Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland. It’s not the most accessible place to reach by public transport because a railway station does not service it. The closest you can get to with trains is Schwyz, from where you can catch the bus up to the Muotathal to the Stoosbahn and ride the (world’s steepest) funicular railway up to Stoos.

Also, it’s worth noting that Stoos is a car-free village so driving there instead of relying on public transport is not possible. However, you can drive to the bottom station of the Stoosbhan, keep in mind that there is limited parking so don’t come late on a weekend.

Once you are there, traveling to the beautiful village is worth it if you want to take your kids sledding in Switzerland, simply because of the abundance of family-friendly toboggan runs.

Grosse Scheidegg – Schwarzwaldalp

• Length: 5.35 kilometers
• Time: 20 minutes
• Elevation: 1962 meters

The Grosse Scheidegg – Schwarzwaldalp run is a very popular sledge run in the Jungfrau region. Grosse Scheidegg is the run’s starting point, and it is easily accessible by bus. The buses take you directly from the nearby towns to the start of the toboggan run, so this is one of the easiest sled runs to do if you’re limited on time and can only rely on public transport.

The total length of the sledge run is around 5.4 kilometers and it takes approximately 20 minutes to descend down the trail. During the descent, you get to enjoy spectacular views of the nearby mountain peaks and the unique landscapes of the Jungfrau region.

This is one of the easier sledge runs in the area, so it’s a great option for both beginners and families with small children. Whether you’re just getting into sledging or have a toddler that you can’t bring along on steep and fast runs, the Grosse Scheidegg – Schwarzwaldalp might be the best option for you.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that buying a day ticket for the bus is possible, so you can travel back and forth as many times as you like. You can rent sledges on location, so you don’t have to bring your own.

Engelberg-Titlis

• Length: 3.4 kilometers
• Time: Approx. 15 minutes
• Elevation: 1267 meters

Mount Titlis is an iconic mountain in Switzerland famous for many things – the snow-capped peaks, the many ski resorts, the world’s first cable car, and excellent sledging opportunities. The Engelberg area has a long history of sledding, so there are multiple runs to choose from, depending on how big a challenge you are looking for.

One of the most popular sled runs in the area is from Gerschnialp to Engelberg. The run is just 3.4 kilometers long and the descent is only about 15 minutes. The total descent is around 270 meters, so this is a relatively easy sledge run suitable for most families. The run is perfectly safe for children, and it’s one of those sled runs that you can do over and over again because of how short it is.

You can reach the start of the run by cable car from the Tiltis Valley station and reserve your sled when you buy the cable car ticket. You’ll pick up the sledge at the top station and you can return it at the bottom station, after the thrilling descent.

The cable car station is easily accessible from Engelberg in central Switzerland. Engelberg is only about an hour away by train from Lucerne, and it can be easily accessed by public transport from most bigger cities in Switzerland.

Kerenzerberg

• Length: 7 kilometers
• Time: Approx. 1 hour
• Elevation: 1280 meters

The Kerenzerberg sled run is easily one of the most scenic in Switzerland. The run rushes through snow-covered forest, offering beautiful views of lakes and mountains. This is a family sled slope, so it’s perfectly suitable for small children. The sled run is located near Lake Walensee, approximately an hour outside of Zurich.

The total run is around 7 kilometers long and it takes about an hour to get from the top of the run to the bottom, but only if you don’t slow down or stop to enjoy the fabulous view of Lake Walensee. It’s possible to rent sleds at the top cable car station and E-Bobsla – small electric snow vehicles that develop speeds up to 30 km/h.

The start of the sled run is easily accessible by cable car from Filzbach via the Sportbahnen Kerenzerberg GmbH. It is possible to purchase all-day cable car tickets, for those of you who enjoy repeating the sled runs over and over again.

Big Pintenfritz

• Length: 12.5 kilometers
• Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Elevation: Approx. 2680 meters

Situated in the Jungfrau region, the Big Pintenfritz sledding run is exciting for those looking for a proper challenge. The run is approximately 12.5 kilometers long and is the longest sledding run in Europe, following the route from Faulhorn to Bussalp and Grindelwald.

Faulhorn is accessible only by hiking trails and it takes about 2.5 hours to get there from First or Bussalp. The two summits are easily accessible by public transport from Grindelwald, including cable cars, buses, and the occasional chair lift.

Those brave enough to attempt getting in their sled and descend this exciting sled run will be rewarded with spectacular views of the region’s most impressive mountain peaks – Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau.

It’s worth noting that there are multiple sled runs in this area, each with a different difficulty. We’ve covered the longest and most challenging descent from Faulhorn. Still, you should know that some easier sledding runs are suitable for people with no experience and even families with small children.

Elm

• Length: 4 kilometers
• Time: 20 minutes
• Elevation: 1485 meters

The Elm sledding run is a quick and easy toboggan run in Eastern Switzerland. It’s only around 4 kilometers long and takes around 20 minutes to complete, so it’s one of the best sled runs that can be done over and over again.

The total elevation change is around 400 meters, but despite that, this isn’t a problematic sledding run. It’s perfectly suitable for children and’s one of the best sled runs for families. It’s possible to rent wooden sleds and racing sleds at the top cable car station and return them to the bottom station.

The Elm sled run is fun and exciting but not challenging. It features several switchbacks and sharp turns, but you’re usually not going extremely fast. The run is not necessarily recommended for small kids, but it is not unusual to see parents with toddlers and even dogs rushing down the slopes.

The sled run is easily accessible by cable car from the parking lot at the Elm Ski Resort. Just take the cable car from Sportbahnen Elm AG to the top station at Ämpächli, and you’ll see the sled rental place and the start of the run as soon as you get out of the gondola.

Eiger Run

• Length: 3 kilometers
• Time: Under 30 minutes
• Elevation: 1616 meters

Eiger is one of the Swiss Alps’s most spectacular mountains, so it’s not surprising that it offers a fantastic tobogganing experience. It’s a relatively short and fast run of medium difficulty, and it’s one of the most popular night sled runs in Switzerland.

The run starts at Alpiglen train station at 1616 meters above sea level. The total length of the sled run is some 3 kilometers, from Alpiglen to Brandegg, with an elevation change of 116 meters. During the descent, you can enjoy spectacular views of Eiger’s north face, and the views are even better at night when the entire run is illuminated.

This might not be one of Switzerland’s most exciting toboggan runs, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most panoramic. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Bernese Alps while rushing the slopes full of fresh snow under the sparkly lights at night. It’s worth noting that this is a very popular sledding run in Switzerland, so don’t be surprised to encounter other sledders along the way.

The best thing about this toboggan run is how easily accessible it is. The starting point of the descent is at Alpiglen train station, which is easily accessible by train from Grindelwald.

Another thing to note is that this is only one of the many sled runs in the area. If you go to Kleine Scheidegg, you can sled down the steeper sections and reach speeds of 44 km/h!

Map Of Sledging Locations