I had heard that there was a cable car on this section. While buying tickets, we saw a sign for the "tobaggon" ride. I wondered what sort of crazy translation that was. Was there really a sled? Was there a weird Canadian hat at the top? Imagine my delight and surprise when we got to the top and saw that there was, indeed, a slide down the mountain!
Oh yes, Gentle Reader, there is a metal track curving down the mountain. You might have experienced a similar ride on any number of ski slopes during the summer months. There are these nifty sleds on runners with brake handles. You sit on the sled and shoot down the track. Well, they want you to stay fairly safe. But this is China! Who cares about safety?
I went down with the chemistry and physics teacher -- they are as thrill-seeking as I, you see. We found the track and purchased tickets. What? Only 50 RMB?!?!? (That's $7.50.) What a steal! We each bought a beer (to drink on the way down, because just riding the sled seemed far too tame), and got in line. Off we went, cruising around curves and, well, not quite tearing down the mountain. First, there was the beer to drink, and second, there was the line of people in front of us chickening out and riding their brakes. Still, we got to the bottom thrilled with our adventure. And at $7.50/run, we were ready for another.
We went up to the ticket window to get a ride on the chairlift back up the mountain. (Oh yes, a chairlift. We didn't even have to walk!) Imagine our amazement when we discovered that a mere 65 RMB will get you not only a ride on the chair lift but also a trip back down on the sled! (That's about $9.75.) On the way up, we devised a plan... stall. When the man puts you on the sled, wait for as long as possible before you head down. That way, you build up a buffer space and go really fast before you run into anyone else.
Well, we had the plan. And it was a good plan. We just didn't follow it. We got stuck behind the idiot woman in the pink shirt with bows riding the brake. There were about 15 people stuck behind her. We should have known... It's stereotypical, but you've got to play the percentages. You have to give a big buffer to women (present company excluded), children, and old people.
Back to the ticket window. Another 65 RMB. Back up the chairlift. (Note: the chemistry teacher was a little freaked by the chairlift. He's never been skiing, so he's never been on a chairlift and found it a bit disconcerting. I treat it like it's nothing. Although I still recite all the warnings I've seen over the years... look to the outside. Ski tips up...) This time we agreed to FOLLOW the plan.
Back to the line -- which actually wasn't a line; we were first this time. We looked down the hill and noticed just how slowly everyone was going. There was a sledjam almost at the top! (Well, it is Beijing.) We made mention of it to the dudes running the ride, and they agreed. We all stood there and waited. Those behind us in line were a bit peeved until we explained that you need a buffer, otherwise the ride will be boring. We waited for a good 10-15 minutes, and then we climbed on.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
It was awesome. We didn't run into another sledder until the 30m to the end sign. We climbed off the sled energized and ecstatic. It was the perfect dismount from the mountain. I flashed a gymnasticsesque salute, and off we went to find the rest of our group. It just doesn't get better than that... unless we go again.
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