On the fast track
5 sledging spots in the Vosges Mountains
Bussang: the longest
The giant slope in la Bouloie, is a 1.5 km ride through the heart of the forest along an old road. The piste is closed to traffic, groomed, and secure, promising an unforgettable descent. But it's worth mentioning again how long it is. Be sure to warm up a bit before trudging back up, or better yet, get someone to drive you to the summit for another ride down.
Gérardmer: the most fun
Gérardmer has not one, but two sledging tracks at the base of the ski resort. The first is reserved for beginners and cautious sledgers, while the second will delight thrill seekers.
Little ones who haven't yet discovered the joys of sledging can play in Loustic's igloo, a foam maze at the foot of the slopes.
Lac Blanc: the most family-friendly
Lac Blanc is the ideal place for budding sledgers. There are two 200-m long runs perfect for families looking to enjoy a bit of snowy fun: Le Blancrupt and the Col du Calvaire mountain pass. The sledging slopes are accessible by car from the Lac Blanc 1200 resort or by chairlift from Lac Blanc (€3.50/person to ride up, free to come back down).
Sledges available for hire at the resort.
La Bresse: the craziest
The Widoo Gliss leisure park in La Bresse provides all ages with unforgettable hours sliding down its long slope. The park also offers new thrills to discover. Try the girouette sledge, the snake gliss, or slide down the slope in a tube. We can’t say it enough: sledging isn't just for kids. All winter long, the resort of La Bresse-Hohneck also holds sledging evenings. The famous Bourvil slope is reserved for sledgers, so hurtle down the 1,600-m piste and get your adrenaline pumping. And the best thing about it? You can sledge over and over without getting tired, because once you hit the bottom, the Vologne Express chairlift brings you back up to the top.
Sledges available for hire at the resort.
Ballon d'Alsace: the most practical
The Ballon d'Alsace, the highest point of the Southern Vosges, boasts two great slopes for sledging. Groomed and secure, the whole family can enjoy the tracks that open at the first snowfall. Start with the highest slope, the one at the summit on the Col des Démineurs mountain pass. Then, when the afternoon is well under way and a snack is in order, head to the slope at the Langenberg and stop into the inn. A few more runs before a break? Saucer, toboggan, wooden sledge, or tube? Whatever method you choose, thrills are in store! And for riders both young and old: don't forget your helmet. While falls and crashes might be fun, they can still be risky.