Elm Sledding • 4km long winter toboggan run

A favorite Swiss past-time is the super long, slightly dangerous sled run. Our first experience with this was at Elm with their 4km long sled run which takes about 20 minutes. A cable car takes you from the parking lot to the top, then you sled back down along a country road that is covered in snow. 

IMPORTANT! Check the sled run status before you go. It may close due to poor snow conditions or bad weather.

First, let’s see the sled run in action. Check out our YouTube channel for more winter and summer adventures.

Sled Run Overview

The sled run starts at the top of the Elm-Ämpächli cable car and goes 4 km down the mountain, ending at the valley station. The sled run is wide path with lots of switchbacks, used only by sleds (not skiers). The sled run is the purple line on the map below, labeled as #1.

I like this sled run because the many turns give you opportunity to frequently check your speed and regain control. The sides of the path are usually built up high with snow to prevent you from leaving the path.

However, sledding can be a dangerous sport if you don’t control your speed or watch out for other sledders. I wouldn’t recommend taking kids under 3 year old, though I have seen both babies and dogs riding along. So use your own judgment.

How to get there

Elm is a mountain resort in eastern Switzerland, canton Glarus. The sled run is accessed with the Elm Sportbahn gondola. 

By car:

Drive to Elm and follow signs to the ski area, west of the Elm village (Schiesserblock 22-24, 8767 Elm). Park in the big parking lots (free) next to the cable car station. On very busy days, you may have to park on the side of the road and/or take a shuttle bus from the Elm village.

By public transport:

Take a train to Schwanden, then a bus to Elm, Sportbahnen. The bus drops you off directly in front of the cable car station.

Costs

Sledding ticket for gondola

Since this sled run starts at the top of the gondola, you need a cable car ticket to go sledding.

In 2024/25, a full day sledding pass costs CHF 38/adult, CHF 31/teens and students (13-25) and CHF 22/child (6-12). Children under 6 ride free on the cable car. 

They also offer cheaper tickets for single ride and half-day pass. See current prices here.

Sled Rental

You can bring your own sled. But I highly recommend renting their high quality racing sleds, which are easy to control and comfortable.

Full day sled rental costs CHF 19/adult and CHF 14/child (6-16). Small discount for half-day rental.

You can also rent sleds for a single ride or half-day, same as the cable car sledding tickets. We often rent a sled at the end of our ski day for one ride down the mountain. See current prices here.

These sleds are are large enough for an adult and small child to ride together. 

Opening times

The sled run has the same opening times as the rest of the resort, daily from 8:30 to 17:00 from mid December to beginning of April.

IMPORTANT! Since the sled run is at a lower elevation than the rest of the resort, it doesn’t always have enough snow. So check the sled run status before you go.

What to wear sledding

In addition to winter clothing, definitely wear a helmet and sturdy winter boots with ankle support, since you will be using your heels to brake and steer. I also recommend goggles and a scarf or buff, especially for kids, as the snow tends to fly in your face as you sled.

See Sledding in Switzerland • 10 Tips for Beginners and How to Dress Your Child for Skiing.

Photo story of sled run

The sled run starts at the top of the cable car and is clearly marked at the top. Just follow the groomed path. Near the beginning at the first big turn, you parallel the ski path. If you go too fast on the turn, you might spill over to the ski path. Stand up and walk yourself back onto the sled path.

The path is groomed and easy to follow.

The sled run ends at the bottom of the cable car. You return your sled on a shelf at the entrance to the cable car.

There is a big self-service restaurant at the top of the cable car. We always eat there.

I hope you enjoy this sled run at Elm!