Tobogganing in the Wildschönau and surroundings

Lanerköpfl near Niederau

The Lanerköpfl run is the long one right next to the village. You ride up on the four-seater Lanerköpfl chairlift and then slide back to Niederau through plenty of bends. According to the region the run is a good 6 km long, with a height difference of around 736 m and an average gradient of about 14 percent. That makes it fast and sporty, so better suited to children who dare a little than to the very youngest. It is a natural toboggan run and carries the Tyrolean quality seal. It only opens with enough snow, so ask the lift company or the tourist office beforehand.

Schatzberg near Auffach

The Schatzberg run is about 5 km long and starts at the middle station of the Schatzbergbahn, at roughly 1,300 m. You slide through the forest back to the valley station in Auffach, where the gondola takes you up again. The difficulty is intermediate. According to the region you can choose between a calmer family route and the tougher Holzhackerbahn. This run too carries the Tyrolean quality seal. Auffach is about 15 minutes by car from Niederau. A gondola ride plus the descent makes a good half day, especially if you stop for hot chocolate on the way. Opening depends on snow and weather.

Night tobogganing at the Roggenboden

At the Roggenboden ski area in Oberau, about 5 minutes by car from Niederau, you can toboggan in the dark on a lit, prepared piste. The sledges have a short ski at the front, so you can hook them into the drag lift and do not have to walk up. According to the region, night tobogganing takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from about 7.30 to 9 pm, on request and with registration in advance. For groups of about 20 or more, other days may be possible. Check the current offer with the tourist office, as it varies per season. Bring warm clothing and a helmet.

Tobogganing with children

Tobogganing suits almost every age, but the run has to match the child. Small children are safest sitting behind an adult on the sledge or on a gentle run. On the Schatzberg and at night tobogganing, young children go together with an adult. Expect a speed that can feel fast to children, especially on the long Lanerköpfl run. Take breaks, because cold hands and feet quickly make children tired and careless. Many families start with a shorter, easy run and build up if it goes well. There is no general age limit; ask at the lift what applies to that run.

Helmet, clothing and rental

In Tyrol there is no legal helmet requirement for tobogganing, but a helmet is strongly recommended, especially for children. Even at low speed, collisions, for example with a tree, can cause serious injury. Use a ski helmet or a well-fitting bike helmet. You also need waterproof clothing, gloves, sturdy winter boots and possibly ski goggles. You can rent a sledge at the toboggan runs in the Wildschönau, such as at the Schatzberg; ask on the spot. A cheap sledge from a shop is less suited to the long runs: rental sledges are usually more stable and easier to steer.

Safety on the run

Most accidents result from too much speed, poor braking and collisions. Sit upright, steer with your feet and body weight and brake with the whole sole of your foot beside the runners of the sledge. Do not ride too close behind others, do not stop in the middle of the run and give each other room. Roughly 4 in 10 people injured while tobogganing are children under 14, so supervision pays off. Do not toboggan after drinking alcohol. Follow the signs and staff instructions, and stay off a run that is closed. Bring a headlamp in the dark if the run is not lit.

Nearby and in summer

If you want something different, the Hohe Salve region near Hopfgarten in the Brixental has several toboggan runs. The Kirchholz run is about 1.7 km long with roughly 270 m of descent and very suitable for beginners; according to the region the runs are free, and you walk up. There is also a lit evening run at Hopfgarten. Hopfgarten is a good deal further than Auffach, so plan it as an outing. In summer there are no snow runs, but there are rails: the Alpbachtaler Lauser-Sauser is an alpine coaster at about 1,845 m that runs all year. There are also summer toboggan runs elsewhere in Tyrol, such as at Walchsee; ask about opening times.

Frequently asked questions