Bob rafting at Igls, Innsbruck – what to anticipate

Nestled amidst the postcard-perfect surroundings of the Tyrolean Alps, Igls is extra than simply an get away for nature fans — it’s additionally a haven for adrenaline junkies. At Heilgwasserwiese 1, on the foot of the Patscherkofel mountain and the house of Innsbruck’s Olympic bobsleigh monitor, a brand new revel in awaits us – bob rafting!

Bring to mind it as bobsleigh for learners with completely no prior revel in required; you sit down in a padded ‘raft’ and are driven down the 1,270 metre downhill ice monitor – the similar one the bobsleighs use. It used to be built for the 1976 Wintry weather Olympics and is the one synthetic ice bobsleigh run in Austria.

Our revel in started at development K14, very easily situated close to the bobsleigh automobile park, the place there’s additionally a café. Right here we checked in and had been supplied with light-weight balaclavas to put on underneath our helmets. Just a little apprehensive laughter stuffed the air as we noticed the primary bobsleigh come hurtling down the monitor at break-neck pace. We had been additionally ready to observe each and every descent on a big video display screen.

The allocated time for our descent is 5.30pm however we had been recommended to depart 20 mins for the stroll to the highest of the monitor. It used to be a brisk, invigorating climb, punctuated via the exciting spectacle of bobsleighs hurtling down the monitor with astonishing pace.

As we neared the highest, bobsleighs might be noticed careening excessive at the banked corners, reputedly defying gravity and accompanied via a thunderous rumble.

And originally of the icy labyrinth, a van used to be being unloaded with two bobsleighs as extra skilled contributors ready for his or her ultimate run of the day.

Right here, the bob rafts stood in a position, padded for convenience and protection, and reminiscent of outsized toboggans. There have been no harnesses, no elaborate seats — only a easy rope to grasp directly to.

We had been provided with helmets and awaited our flip with a mixture of trepidation and pleasure coursing thru us.

Moments later and with a little of a push from in the back of, we had been off! The preliminary moments felt virtually comical as we zigzagged our approach alongside the primary stretch earlier than the bob raft discovered its rhythm. However inside seconds, the real nature of the trip published itself. Velocity constructed unexpectedly, the icy monitor remodeling right into a blur of white because the chilly wind rushed towards our faces.

Those bob rafts can achieve speeds of as much as 100 kilometres consistent with hour and, with you being so on the subject of the bottom, it feels exceptionally rapid. It’s like a thrilling rollercoaster with out tracks.

On the end, an uphill stretch (earlier than a flatter end) slows the steel-clad bobsleighs to a dignified halt. For us, in our much less aerodynamic craft, issues performed out reasonably otherwise. Not able to crest the hill, we discovered ourselves hurtling backwards down the icy chute — an surprising encore that despatched our hearts racing another time. Not sure whether or not this used to be intended to occur (it used to be!), we oscillated like a pendulum, rocking from side to side earlier than in the end coming to a standstill, with combined feelings of laughter and adrenaline.

The revel in used to be unforgettable. This isn’t simply any previous trip however a novel probability to really feel the uncooked thrill and pace that bobsledders undergo each time they race, despite the fact that you’re now not travelling somewhat as rapid.

In the event you get the chance to take a look at it your self, that is an icy escapade that may go away you grinning lengthy after you’ve completed, and you are going to even have the ability to reminisce about your high-speed descent as a result of they supply you get entry to to a video of your revel in afterwards. Right here’s ours:

Disclosure: Our travel used to be backed via Innsbruck Tourism.

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Commute Weblog and has labored within the go back and forth trade for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Inventions in Commute ‘Very best Commute Influencer’ Award from WIRED mag. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “some of the international’s highest go back and forth blogs” and “highest for luxurious” via The Telegraph.