Four alpine coaster tracks in the Hautes-Vosges are compared here, each with its own layout, prices, and opening calendar. This comparison brings together the key details for choosing the right track based on where you’re staying and the time of year, without repeating what’s already covered on each site. For the full write-ups on La Bresse and the Col de la Schlucht, the links below lead to our dedicated guides.
The four tracks at a glance
| Track | Location | Length | Typical price | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlitte Mountain | La Bresse-Hohneck (88250) | 900 m | €8.50 per run | Summer and winter, resort calendar |
| Schlucht coaster | Le Valtin (88230) | 1,245 m, including 750 m of descent | €8.20 per run | Four seasons, rain, snow, or fog |
| Markstein coaster | Le Markstein (68), Route des Crêtes | 1.2 km | €7.50 per circuit | Year-round: daily July 1 to August 31, reduced slots September to June |
| Tricky Track | Col du Calvaire, Lac Blanc (68370) | 1.1 km, including 700 m of descent | €9 per sled | Four seasons |
Prices and hours change from one season to the next: check the operator’s official page before setting off, especially for time slots outside peak season.
The Markstein alpine coaster: the Route des Crêtes track
The Markstein track sits on the Alsace side (Haut-Rhin), at the Markstein, along the Route des Crêtes. The circuit runs 1.2 km with a 70 m drop and 13 bends, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h. Passengers must be at least 3 years old and 90 cm tall, and anyone riding alone must be at least 8.
As for prices, a single circuit costs €7.50, a book of 5 circuits €35, and a book of 10 circuits plus 1 free €70. Groups get a rate of €6 per circuit, from 40 people and with a 10-circuit minimum. Opening is year-round on a shifting calendar: daily from July 1 to August 31, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, then reduced slots from September to June (Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays, with extended hours during Zone B school holidays).
Access is via the Thann valley (toward Kruth) or the Guebwiller valley (toward Buhl). The Route des Crêtes linking the Grand Ballon to the Markstein closes in winter from mid-November, with reopening announced for early April depending on conditions: it’s best to go through the valley during that period rather than along the ridge road.
Tricky Track at Lac Blanc: the most technical track
Tricky Track, set at the Col du Calvaire in the Lac Blanc resort (68370), has the most elaborate layout of the four: a 1.1 km circuit including 700 m of active descent, a 78 m drop, an average 11% grade (35% at its steepest), a 450 degree spiral, and a tunnel running under a ski slope. Top speed stays in line with the other tracks, around 40 km/h.
Access is open from age 3, with an adult required to accompany children aged 3 to 8 who are under 1.25 m tall. The activity is not open to pregnant women. On prices: €9 for a single sled run, €45 for 5 runs plus 1 free, and €90 for 10 runs plus 3 free, with tiered group rates from 10 runs. Tickets aren’t dated and can be used at any point, which helps anyone booking a stay well ahead.
Running across all four seasons puts Tricky Track in the same category as the Schlucht coaster: both stay open outside the summer months, while the Markstein is then limited to a few slots per week.
The tracks already covered: La Bresse and the Col de la Schlucht
Two other tracks round out this comparison, and our guides cover each one in full. At La Bresse-Hohneck, Schlitte Mountain offers a 900 m loop with a 340 degree spiral, open according to the resort calendar in both summer and winter: detailed hours, 2026 prices, and online booking conditions are all covered there.
At the Col de la Schlucht, in the village of Le Valtin, the Schlucht alpine coaster is the longest of the four at 1,245 m, including 750 m of active descent. Running in every season and in any weather makes it a dependable option for a stay in the Hautes-Vosges, where conditions can change quickly.
Choosing a track based on your stay
For a stay based in La Bresse, Schlitte Mountain and the Schlucht coaster are the closest options: the first on the La Bresse-Hohneck ski area, the second at the Col de la Schlucht, on the Route des Crêtes. The Markstein to the south and Tricky Track to the north both sit on the Alsace side: they work better as a day trip from the Munster valley, Kaysersberg, or Guebwiller, or combined with a full loop of the Route des Crêtes.
In rainy weather, the Schlucht coaster and Tricky Track have the advantage of running across all four seasons. The Markstein only opens daily in July and August, and the rest of the year is limited to Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, Sundays, public holidays, and Zone B school holidays. To round out a rainy day in La Bresse, our rainy day activities roundup lists other ideas to pair with a coaster run.
Extending the day out in the range
Around the Col de la Schlucht, our hiking guide covers the routes accessible from the pass, easy to combine with a coaster run. Further north-west, the Tendon waterfall offers a different kind of family walk, about 40 minutes’ drive from La Bresse.
Before heading out, check current hours on the operators’ official sites: Markstein and Tricky Track publish calendars that shift with the season and school holidays, and the winter closure of the Route des Crêtes can change the access route.
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Frequently asked questions
Which alpine coaster tracks does this comparison cover?
Four tracks in the Hautes-Vosges: Schlitte Mountain at La Bresse-Hohneck, the Schlucht coaster at Le Valtin, the Markstein alpine coaster, and Tricky Track at Lac Blanc. Each has its own hours, prices, and access conditions.
Which alpine coaster track in the Hautes-Vosges is open all year?
The Schlucht coaster and Tricky Track at Lac Blanc run in all four seasons. The Markstein alpine coaster also runs from September to June, but only on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, Sundays and public holidays, and during Zone B school holidays; it opens daily only from July 1 to August 31. Schlitte Mountain follows the seasonal calendar of the La Bresse-Hohneck resort.
Which is the longest of the four alpine coaster tracks compared?
The Schlucht coaster measures 1,245 m, the longest of the four. Next comes the Markstein coaster (1.2 km) and Tricky Track at Lac Blanc (1.1 km, including a 700 m active descent). Schlitte Mountain, at La Bresse, has the shortest loop at 900 m.