Australia’s First Alpine Coaster Attracts Visitors to Thredbo Ski Resort
Photos: Courtesy of Wiegand
(eap) In the Australian alpine resort of Thredbo (located in the south of New South Wales), the continent’s first “Alpine Coaster 2.0” – supplied by German manufacturer Josef Wiegand – is now enriching the year-round visitor offer. In addition to ski slopes, hiking and mountain bike trails, this also includes facilities such as a skate park, trampolines and, of course, catering. A classic Wiegand summer toboggan run in the shape of a trough has also been in operation since 1992.
With the Alpine Coaster 2.0, the concept of which is based on the rail-guided Alpine Coaster and was presented in autumn 2019 (c.f. EAP 6/2019), Thredbo now also offers winter sports enthusiasts and mountain tourists a modern toboggan run, which was opened at the start of the Australian winter season last weekend. Guests start in one of a total of 40 available sledges (with space for two people each) in the valley station and are transported through a 30-metre tunnel under the ski slope before riding up the mountain on the Wiegand lift system. Once at the top, passengers can expect an approx. one kilometre long descent consisting of three roundabout sections alternating with straight sections, waves and jumps. Bridge constructions up to a height of twelve metres are also part of the varied layout.
One of the attraction’s special features is the newly developed rain protection, for which Wiegand received a Brass Ring Award at the end of last year, as the product feature enables fun on the ride even in wet weather. If the Alpine Coaster is not fully utilised, toboggans that are not needed can be easily lifted out of the ride using the garage system and stored in a nearby building. As this is the first installation of this product type in Australia and the local technical inspection bodies therefore had no experience with its specialties, the German TÜV was called in to inspect the attraction in May and approve it for operation. ■
