One of the most exciting things that I did in New Zealand (besides the Tasman Glacier Heli Hike) was to go for my first Luge ride at Skyline Queenstown (In case you’re wondering how I got here, I rode the Queenstown Gondola Skyline to get to this place.). At the entrance, I saw the carts that I would ride in.
Luge Ride at Skyline Queenstown: A Great New Experience
There were steps leading up to the Skyline Queenstown (by the way, I also had buffet dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar here) and there were posters of the Luge rides on the stairs. I walked carefully up the steps.
There was a pedestrian path on the side of the hill. An arrow showed the way to the Luge rides from the pedestrian path. There was some snow lying on the ground and I was sure the view from the top of the Skyline would be great!
A chairlift carried people up the mountain. It looked a little bit scary but it also seemed very exciting at the same time. There weren’t too many people. I could see one or two occupied chairlifts above my head.
The whole structure had been built with a lot of steel rods and gears and wheels. It almost looked like a ride at an amusement park.
I slowly walked towards the chairlift so that I could climb to the top of the Skyline. I was a little nervous since it was my first Luge ride.
There was a container filled with helmets so that people riding the Skyline would be safe. The helmets were hard on top but padded underneath and there was a strap that would be placed under the chin.
The helmets were all very brightly colored. There were green, yellow, orange and red helmets and they said ‘Luge’ on the front.
There were five sizes, from extra-small to extra-large. Everyone would need to return their helmets exactly where they found it. I tried on a helmet to see what size would fit me and then got on the chairlift.
The chairlift started moving slowly up the hill. There was brown grass under my feet but I was sure that the view would get better the higher that I went.
There was only a thin covering of snow on the ground. My legs dangled off the chair and I looked around me. The ones that were coming down from the mountain were all empty because everyone was taking a Luge ride.
But there was also a road leading up the mountainside for anyone who wanted to walk. It was a winding road.
It was really quite cold. I could see forests of fir trees and snowcapped mountains in the distance.
The sky was also quite cloudy as I went up. It wasn’t a bright, sunny day.
The view from the chairlift was brilliant. I saw the road that I would come down on the Luge cart. There were other people sitting in their carts and navigating the twists and turns of the road.
I got very excited! I couldn’t wait for my turn.
I reached the top of the ride and got ready to go down the mountainside. There were two separate areas for people who were riding for the first time that day and those who had ridden before.
There was a line of carts kept at the top and people were being taught how to steer. I quickly found a cart of my own.
I managed to strap the camera on so that I would have my hands free to steer.
And then I started off down the mountainside.
It was really very exciting and I had to be careful not to bump into the people before me.
I even went through a tunnel.
The road was wet and mist was spraying everywhere.
The towers rose above my head.
Finally, I reached the bottom. It was a great new experience!
