Basic information
The beginning of the daily groomed sledge slide is located near Špindlerova bouda – by pension Malý Šišák. The end is at Dívčí lávky, approximately a 15 minute walk from the town centre. You can comfortably reach the start with one of our buses designated for the transport of sledge riders. They set off at regular intervals from the town centre and stop at selected stops on the way to the start, where sledges are waiting for you. The sledges are always only for one person at a time, except children under 7 years, they ride with an adult.
After the riding on the track, you hand the sleigh back to us at our bistro in the end at Dívčí lávky. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and decide whether to have another ride or go back to the town by bus. You can also walk to the town – a pleasant stroll on the walking path along the River Elbe.
Under favourable snow and weather conditions, the track is in operation daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening rides are from Tuesday to Saturday from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The last riders are allowed on the track not later than 30 minutes before closing time.
Purchasing tickets and departures of the buses to the start.
Major sales and departure location:
Centre – the meeting point is behind the Christmas tree. GPS: 50.7260364N, 15.6068953E, or you can put in your navigation adress Špindlerův Mlýn 11.
The place is marked with information board for the sledge track. During the track operating time, there is an operator who in addition to ticket sales, is happy to advise and willing to answer your questions. Marked buses set off from there to the start at regular intervals according to the timetable.
Other selling points and bus stops:
Hotel Aquapark – the reception desk building opposite the entrance to the parking lot to the cableway to Medvědín.
Refreshments at the finish of sledge slide at Dívčí lávky.
Start of the sledge slide – the cabin under pension Malý Šišák.
We recommend to larger groups (20 people and more) to make a reservation for space on the bus to the start, to prevent such an eventuality that the bus is full at your desired time.
Bus departure times
The buses set off to the start from the town centre on a regular basis according to the following timetable:
Day rides: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00
Evening rides (only from TUESDAY to SATURDAY): 18:00, 19:00, 20:00
When getting on the bus near the Aquapark, it is necessary to add about three minutes to the times, if you get on at Dívčí lávky, add approximately 5 minutes.
The buses from the end of the track back to the centre…
In case of large interest from sledgers, buses can also go outside of these times. Information is available from the operator in the town centre or on our HOTLINE.
The track description and map
Start of the track is located on the ridges, at an altitude of 1155 metres above sea level. At a length of almost three kilometres, it descends to an altitude of about 780 metres above sea level, so the excess is less than 400 metres.
Three times the track crosses the road from Špindlerův Mlýn to Špindlerova bouda and therefore it can be divided into 4 sections.
For illustration we show the difficulty of individual sections by colours same as it is done on slopes…
In the end at Dívčí lávky, near the confluence of the Elbe and White Elbe River, it is time to hand over the borrowed sled. Today, it can’t be recognised, but in the past on a hillside just above this place, there was a ski jump – the largest in our country at that time.
Safety
Our priority is to ensure maximum security of each rider and minimise the risk of accident. During the bus ride to the start, you can see a video tutorial with basic information on travel and security rules (see here). If needed, any further information and advice can be obtained from the track operator at the start, which also oversees the safe spacing between individual starts.
On the track there are information signs indicating the places where it is necessary to ride more carefully, a number of safety mattresses and safety nets. The most important, however, it is up to the sled-riders. Under different snow conditions the sledges can act differently and ride at different speeds. Sometimes, you need to brake more, sometimes less. Each rider should have a small amount of fear, respect and self-preservation to enjoy the ride on the track and arrive safely to the finish. It is always necessary to adapt the speed to the track conditions and your abilities.
We also recommend to read Tips and Advice, not only regarding proper equipment, and our Safety Decalogue.
The history of sledging
Sledge appeared in the Giant Mountains long before the first skis. From the beginning it was mainly used for work, since the nineteenth century it has also been used for sport and leisure. The first sports ride in the Giant Mountains already took place from Pomezní boudy to Kowary in 1817. In Špindlerův Mlýn, they first rode on a sleigh driven by experienced mountaineers. In the second half of the 19th century, they began to ride on the so-called “snow track” from the Špindlerova bouda and besides the traditional sledge and one-place sledging began to be very popular sport.
After construction of a hydropower plant for the entrepreneur, Kleofas Hollman, in the winter season 1909/10 the operation of an electrical sledge lift was launched, which was very popular among the visitors to the mountains.
The sledge slide in its current form has been operating since 2001 and is following the tradition of the original “snow track”. Its restoration was initiated by the municipaility of Špindlerův Mlýn town, in order to expand the range of leisure activities and make the town attractive for its winter visitors.
Corporate events and groups
Are you going to Špindlerův Mlýn with colleagues from work and looking for relaxation? Come and take a ride on the sledge slide. We can arrange a turn-key event, incl. transport arrangements from the hotel and back, or refreshments at the finish of the track. Even sledge sliding can be an effective teambuilding exercise. In our “Snow show” program you can try the selected team activities on snow in addition to a wonderful ride on the sledge slide. Teambuilding activities are provided in co-operation with Yellow Point.
