Watch out!!! Keep your feet up!!! Aarrgh – brake!! Everyone knows that sledging is great fun. Using your weight or digging your shoes in? There are heated discussions to be had about the best braking techniques over a warm cup of tea in a rustic mountain hut to keep out the cold. Who's for another round of cards before heading down?

Whether two-year-old snow novice or experienced fan of teenage snowball fights, a sledging party caters for all ages. And it doesn't cost too much. 'Sporty' families can walk up to a mountain pasture and then whoosh down the hill, fortified and warmed up by refreshments. Those of a more leisurely nature can take advantage of the large number of lifts in South Tyrol, meaning that families can sledge down three, four or even five times, one after the other. What goes up must come down, after all.

From the west side ...

Christine from 'Ferienwohnungen Christine' in Hafling near Meran lets us in on a special sledging highlight: “There's a great sledge run not far from our flats with guaranteed snow. Starting at 'Falzeben' car park, you can sledge on rails as well as snow with the Alpine Bob! A great attraction for the whole family.“
Special highlight: Alpine Bob track

In rustic Ultental valley close to Lana near Meran, Sabina Schwienbacher from 'Chalet de Ultimis' holiday house has a recommendation: “Moscha natural sledge run is just 15 minutes from us. Starting at 'Alpinlounge W!' car park, it's about 20 minutes' walk. The natural sledge run is used for competitions and so will present no problems for experienced sledgers. Beneath Moscha run  there is also a safe, snowy piste of around 500 metres in length. This piste can be used by children, too.“ Special highlight: Lit up at night for sledgers

... to the east side

The next insider tip comes from the other corner of South Tyrol, the east. Cornelia Mutschlechner from 'Kronsun' holiday flats in Percha near Bruneck says: “There's a really nice natural sledge run in Oberwielenbach. It goes from 'Wegscheider' car park, via 'Oberwielenbacher Talile' to Lercheralm pasture, where there is an inn selling refreshments. The first part is a bit steep, then the path ascends gently into the valley. The run is very suited to families and features some unique landscape.“ Special highlight: rural beauty spot

Whichever piste you decide to go whooping down is up to you. You can find lots of other sledging hotspots in South Tyrol here.

You're sure to find the right accommodation at one of the places on the list of Private Landlords and Landladies and your red-cheeked children can fall into bed tired but happy.