LOGISTICS
European resorts have about 200 rodels on hand and rent most of them out on any given day. During the busy season, resorts see as many as 1,500 rodelers per day on their runs.
Rental Locations
Guests buy a full, half day or season pass and can add a daily rodel rental at the ticket counter. European resorts sell individual runs and discounted family packs Guests proceed to the rodel rental hut to pick up their rodel and braking soles. The rodel is returned at the same location.
Gondolas and Funiculars
Guests carry rodels on the gondola or grab a rental rodel at the top of the mountain. Rental rodels get loaded back onto the gondolas or funiculars in groups once they are turned in at the bottom of the run.
Snowcat Access
Some resorts will use snowcats to access backcountry rodelbahns. Rodels are typically placed on top of the cabin, on side hooks, or in a trailer.
High Speed Quad
European resorts have hooks on every other chair. One liftey works to load rodels and another removes them at the top. Rodelers then grab a rental rodel, or their own personal rodel once they exit the chair lift.
Rodels can be taken on high speed quads and typically count as one passenger. This means no more than 2 guests can ride at a time. Rodels are held on the riders lap, and retention devices must be on.
Rodelbahn or Schlittelweg?
Both mean the same: the sled way. They are either dedicated (although often shared) runs at ski resorts or closed roads that access one of the many rodelhütte scattered across the Alps. All methods are employed to get rodelers uphill: chairlift, train, tram, gondola, cable car, funicular, cog railway, bus, snow-taxi, snowcat and foot.
Length
Rodelbahns are all about coming down the mountain in a grand fashion. The run “wants” to be long but each resort’s unique terrain will determine the appropriate length. Most runs in Europe are 3-5 miles in length. American mountains are not as tall, so finding creative ways to come down can extend the length of the run. We have been on some truly exciting 1 mile runs and on some very boring 4 mile runs. We can help you make your rodelbahn exciting for all skill sets on your unique terrain.
Width
The safest rodelbahns in Europe are no less than 18 feet in width. This allows a wide space for turning, passing and stopping on the run to chat with friends and family.
Turns
Most rodelbahns in Europe have a series of hairpin turns. We find that riders have more success and less incidents on turns that are wider and more forgiving. See more in risk management.
Grooming
Rodelbahns must be groomed daily to keep the run safe and free from ice chunks, holes, rocks and whoops!
Crossings
Some rodelbahns have a space mid-run that necessitates crossings over the ski area.This is dictated with signage to let both user groups know they are merging runs. Often, this is achieved with dismounting the rodel and walking a short distance. Other times, riders simply cross the ski run in a dictated slow-zone with B- fencing.
Tunnels
Tunnels are often used to go under the ski runs to avoid the risk of crossings. They are made of a variety of materials including large culverts and containers that are tall enough to stand up in should there be an incident. Padding at the entrance and special plastic flooring go inside the tunnel so that rodelers can easily slide through with no snow. This avoids collisions inside the tunnel and keeps everyone moving safely and happily.
