Take a ride on a Grindelwald velogemel

Overview

Hint

Grindelwald

Bern Region

Intro

The velogemel is a cross between a bicycle, a sled and skis – the ideal choice for fun in the snow, even though that wasn’t its original purpose.

Christian Bühlmann from Grindelwald applied for a patent for this vehicle back in 1911, describing it as a “single-track steerable sled”. For him and all the other locals, the velogemel became an everyday means of getting about during the winter months.

These days, the hybrid contraption is mainly used on the final 9 kilometres of the Big Pintenfritz tobogganing run, which, at 15 kilometres in all, is the longest in Europe. The full distance is usually completed by conventional sled, as the sleds have to be hauled up the top third of the run on foot. If you want to try the legendary descent on a velogemel, you can hire one at Grindelwald railway station. From here you can take the bus all the way up to Bussalp at 1,800 metres above sea level.

Fortified by a snack in the mountain restaurant and exhilarated by the views of the world-famous trio of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, you can let the fun commence. The descent is tremendously enjoyable, with just enough speed and a bit of a challenge in terms of balance. You can certainly look forward to an unforgettable ride on what is perhaps the most original vehicle known to winter sports.