Glacier 3000 – August 31st 2017
An alpine coaster was something us and the kids were super excited about. When in the Alps!!
We found what we were looking for at Glacier 3000. High in the Swiss Alps, we were going to go big or go home (not literally, but I believe it is the highest alpine coaster!!).
Waking up to horrible rain was not a good sign. We were socked in when we left our airbnb and it was only get to get worse the higher into the mountains. The forecast that day was not good but we only had this one day to go.
Driving through near whiteout conditions and heavy rain left us feeling a little nervous. We were dressed as well as we could be with what we had with us (no where near what you would wear up a mountain if you actually think about it).
We arrived and were hit with big time disappointment. The coaster was closed. Obviously for safety reasons, which we totally understood. Try telling that to a 12 year old that has the need for speed!! She held it together well, but it was a huge let down. We still decided to head up the gondola (cable car) to the top to check things out. We had come all that way!
Let me tell you something. I don’t like heights. At all. Let me tell you something else. I don’t like wind when I’m up high on something. The universe was totally messing with me and gave me both. A gondola that climbed at a near vertical climb and a horribly windy day. I was sure they had to close the gondola down. Nope, the operator acted as if the swaying and wind gusts were nothing. OMG. The only thing that saved me going up was that we were totally blanketed with fog and I couldn’t see the bottom!
It was freezing cold and we opted to run into the gift shop to avoid the pelting rain. We explored a bit in there but knew it was imminent that we venture outside to see some stuff. We wanted to check out the Peak Walk. A walkway bridge that connects two peaks together and where you are 3000 meters up the mountain. The winds were high and the rain was soaking us. We were almost at the top of the stairs when Lucas planted his feet firmly and refused to go further. Mark stayed with him and the girls and I went outside to see the Peak Walk. The girls wouldn’t go near it, I made it 3 feet out and held on most of the time for dear life as the winds were nuts! Visibility was still almost nothing and although I couldn’t see the bottom I knew it was there!
The girls raced back in to stay with Lucas and waited for Mark out in the winter like conditions with only my light windbreaker and leggins on. He made it to the Peak Walk and was brave (foolish) enough to walk a little further out. Although not much more than me. We ran inside and completely drenched we headed for the restaurant.
Fondue was the perfect meal to warm us up. I had purple ears apparently and we were soaked. Luckily no one else was on the mountain that day expect a tour group so we had the place to ourselves. We enjoyed our cheese fondue and the kids had some hot chocolate.
Glacier 3000 was an experience for sure! I hope one day we can return there, in the summer months when the sun is out and it’s nice and warm. We still have a coaster to ride!!
On to Italy via an overland car train that takes you through the Alps. Toot Toot.
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