Metro Sledding

One of the amazing things that Oslo offers is the ability to go sledding on an incredible, free slope, Korketrekkeren. Even more amazing is that you use the city Metro to get to the slope, and to get you back up the slope after a ride.

So, you start by just hopping on the Metro wherever you normally do:

The Oslo Metro system is great, and they have lines that take you way out of the city, and even up steep hills. As with everywhere in Oslo, this means you’ll see lots of school kids, and folks carrying cross-country skis:

The Metro drops you off just up the hill from the place you rent the toboggans/sleds from for $15 per day:

The slope is right next to the rental shop. So, with essentially no training nor instructions, you’re off:

The slope is amazing, equivalent to a nice green/beginner ski trail through the woods, including some corkscrew-like turns. You have the ability to get some serious speed going, potentially shooting off into the woods, so you’re always a little relieved when you get to the bottom alive:

In total, it’s about a 10 min ride to from top-to-bottom, and you end right next to a Metro stop! So, you just have to wait for the next train, which never seemed to take more than about 15 minutes.

It was about five stops to get back to the top, but you got good views of Oslo on the trip:

You also got views of the soccer fields that they clear(unlike the sidewalks!), and carry on with games & practice as if it isn’t 5° & snowy:

The train drops you off at the very top of the slope:

That also gives you good views of the city & the fjord:

Then it’s off down the slope again. There was no supervision, and you can go on as many runs as you want. It’s open until 10pm, meaning the slope is lit, and the only cost is the sled, so it’s totally free if you have your own. It’s great fun, and felt like a uniquely Oslo thing.

Then you simply jump back on the Metro & make you way home into the city: