Last time I was here, the guys at Chalet Vache Bleue suggested I may be interested in giving sledging a try. Unfortunately, I ran out of time, so it was on the top of my list to do this visit.
Tuesday night saw me along with 40 other people, of all ages and experience, stood outside the Mottaret Tourist centre at 6pm, ready for a sledging adventure down the Green Truite run (book beforehand by dropping into a tourist centre and it is 17 euros/sledge). I have no sledging experience and wasn't sure what to expect but did snow board down the run earlier in the day just to plan my route.
It all started not too long afterwards, with the people running the event walking us down to the top of the run to get instructions, rules and equipment (I brought my own helmet but both helmets and sledges + glowsticks are provided). It all seemed quite simple, so we lined up at the top of the Truite, ready for action. I should warn you, there are no lights on this run and the glowsticks are to make sure that you don't crash into anybody (1 of the 2 rules on the sledging adventure).
Heaps of cheering and we were off, following the guide who had a large red version of our glowsticks. We had been told that there would be 2 safety stops along the way and that we were at no time to pass the red glowstick (the 2nd of the 2 rules, easy to remember!). The start and the first stop was the learning stage, figuring out how the brakes and turning worked, which resulted in sledges spinning and shooting off across the run but we all arrived. After this, my confidence had increased in using the sledge, which resulted in not doing anything like my planned path plus more 360's and shooting off in random directions with better braking ability.
All made it back to Meribel, to hand back in the sledges and either to catch the bus back to Mottaret, otherwise feel free to use your glowstick at any number of venues in the centre.
