Marking a Milestone with Skyline Luge Sentosa

17th December 2016 [Faye's First]
It was an unplanned trip to Skyline Luge. We were going to Sentosa to catch The Trolls Live in Mascots! As we were walking towards the Beach Plaza, Faye suggested [or insisted] we went for a Luge ride. We've brought her there several times but only as a spectator since she had always been too small to join her brother for some fun. But this little feisty being has a need for speed.

We told her we would give it a check but she could be still be too small. Her reply, "I am taller already!" A minimum height of 85cm is required and we carried her to the height chart with all skeptism.

The Luge staff took a quick look and gave us a thumbs up! You cannot imagine the HOORAY our whole family let out when we were given the green light to go. Faye was all smug and proud! She was very excited.

On the chairlift going up, she went on and on,

"I'm getting taller and taller! I can sit Luge already! Hooray!"

My only regret for this trip was that we left the DSLR in the car. Oh why Oh why! It would have been perfect if the pictures for her first Luge trip was crisp and clear!

We bought a three-ride package and she chose to go with Daddy the first round. Oh you know how daddies are with rides. They never hold back and I saw them zooming away, taking the lead on the tracks! I wondered if she liked that. Fast.

On the second ride, Ewan requested to pair up with dad and naturally, Faye was with me. She got the drill and positioned herself professionally into the car in between my legs. Placed her tiny weeny hands on the handlebar and told me, "Go!" and "Faster!"

Woohoo! That's my girl! And here's her beating her brother to it by being just 2! Ewan took his first Luge experience at three years of age.

Children between 85cm and 110cm tall can ride the Luge in tandem, with an adult by purchasing the child doubling ticket.

24th August 2015 [Ewan's First]
Ever since Ewan decided that cable cars and monorails are his favourite mode of transportation, we've been to Sentosa more times these three years than we've ever been our whole lives. We go for joyrides as an activity, dine in Sentosa fortnightly, staycated six times on the island with the kids and yet, a Big Fat Yet, we've never checked out the Skyline Luge. 

I had always assumed that Ewan was too little for the track. No way can a three year old handle a Luge and it never crossed my mind that he can ride in tandem with an adult. In fact, he would have been eligible for play at two years of age! As long as you are 85cm tall, you are qualified to have an experience of your lifetime! Disclaimer: driven by your mom or dad. Little boys and girls this age would probably view this as one of the most adrenaline-pumping adventure they've ever had. At least for my boy this was positively thrilling! Ya he did the roller coaster in Universal Studios (screamed his lungs out) but he wasn't In Control and that he disliked. Inside the Luge, he took the driver's seat and steered his ride (or so he thought he steered). Holding onto the handlebars gave him a sense of dominion over the Luge and it probably elevated his ego because he declared, 

"I am not afraid you know?"  

Credit: Skyline Luge Sentosa/PictureAir

Stop! Backtracking to the start of our Skyline Luge experience, we arrived with no expectations whatsoever. The only problem I foresee was a boy deciding that chairlifts were too frightening for his small heart. Well, that was totally uncalled for since all we got were bright smiles from his face. Ewan was waving "Hello" to every occupied chairlift on our way up and boy was I relieved! I thought that was rather brave of him because dangling legs and uncovered overheads can be pretty daunting. We were even suspended in mid-air for a couple of seconds. It stopped and we swayed! We went, "Wooooaaahhh" but because we are in Singapore, we thought it was more exciting than dangerous. Complacency but well, who to blame? Our country has proven track records for safety and efficiency.  We were on our way as quickly as we were halted!

Credit: Ashlyn Thia

 

While queuing for your Skyride chairlifts to bring you up to your wheeled gravity ride, you will notice that they neither stop nor slow down. Number one rule: do not fret. There are staff on site to prepare you for the stand-sweep-sit motion. They will guide you to stand on marked spots in a row, wait for your chairlift to sweep you off the ground and pull down the safety bar over you after you've sat down. Ewan is obviously too short and he had to be lifted. The process was swift and expertly executed. Once we arrived on the track side, we were expected to hop off the chairlift and it was fun! I guarantee you giggles and laughter from every first-timer.

Credit: Ashlyn Thia

The view in the far horizon is beautiful from the Skyride. We have a relaxing skyline in Sentosa but was disappointed that we couldn't see too far out because of the haze. The only qualm I had was not bringing along my shades and hat. I didn't bring them because I thought we had to tuck everything away in the lockers provided. Bah! We could even bring our backpacks along! I luged with my Kanken on my back. So do bring along your sunscreens, hat, shades and whatever you may need. Just no umbrellas please? The sweltering heat was unbearable in the late morning and I would totally recommend a sunset and night Luge! As darkness settles, a different adventure awaits you with a brand new challenge as you ride down each Luge track with unique lightings. The last ride is at 9:20pm.

After disembarking from the chairlift, you will follow a snaking queue to a binfull of colourful Luge helmets! No Helmet, No Ride. So be sure you pick the right size for yourself and your child. It doesn't go by, "I like blue mommy" so you give him a blue. Each colour represents a size with green an XS, red an S and so on. As you can imagine, these helmets protect the sweaty heads of thousands of people. If you are not comfortable with that, you can BYOH (Bring Your Own Helmet). We were easy about it. Our heads are going for a thorough hair wash when we are done anyways.

Ewan watched the chairlifts dropped off Luges while we queued. He was intrigued and totally absorbed into the process. When I caught him off-guard to take a family picture with our gears, he struggled to break free! Then off to the railings again to watch the Luge. That kept the children occupied while queuing really. Mine at least!

 

We had the Unlimited and Express tags but this being our first-time, we followed the regular queue blindly! So if you've got yourselves the Express/Priority queue access, please go straight to the Priority lane. Keep your eyes opened for the signages.

When it was our turn, the staff asked how many Luges we needed, Ewan told him,

"I want to ride on my own!"

Before we could say he couldn't, Dana (the seasoned junior Luge rider of Life's Tiny Miracles, read their account) explained to Ewan rather professionally, "You have to be at least 6 years old and 110cm to ride alone. Otherwise, you have to ride with your daddy or mommy okay?" *hahaha* I was amused because she said it so matter-of-factly like a child ambassador for Skyline Luge!

Ewan took his first ride with daddy, navigating down 650 metres of the Jungle Trail and his second with me as we conquered 688 metres of the Dragon Trail. I wasn't sure if we could control the speed and I was glad to find out that we could go as fast as we would liked or cruised as leisurely as we wanted. By the time we were done with our two rides, Ewan exclaimed that he wanted to go again! Aha! Their slogan, Once Is Never Enough hold true to its promise. He requested to do his third and last tandem ride with daddy. They went at lightning speed! So fast that I couldn't catch up with them! To be honest, I was shouting for daddy to slow down but obviously they couldn't hear my yells and zipped full-speed ahead.

 

The Dragon Trail is more challenging than the Jungle Trail because it has a lot more bends. So, I'd recommend you go for the Jungle Trail on the left first just to give yourself a taster. Towards the end of both trails, you will find yourself at the finishing point. Narrow lanes so go slow to finish.

Credit: Bumblebeemum

A few Code of Conduct I'd like to shout out for the safety of everyone:

1. No Helmet, No Ride
2. Keep Both Hands on the Handlebar At All Times
3. Keep Your Feet In The Luge Cart At All Times
4. Respect Signs
5. Give Way And Don't Block The Track
6. No Group Racing, No Bumping or Skidding

Why am I highlighting these? It is because we got bumped! Ewan and I, on our second ride. We got bumped so hard I let out a scream! Just like a hit and run, the boy (only a primary-goer) said sorry and sped off. Well, I thought I remembered him apologising but Ewan recollected the incident today while viewing our Luge photographs and said, "That Kor Kor did not say sorry." *woops*

There are two entrances to commence your Luge journey. You will get to experience the Skyride chairlifts if you entered via the Siloso Beach entrance. Alternatively, if you are already at the Singapore Cable Car terminal (Imbiah Lookout), you may also enter from there. Getting there is not a difficult task.

We will definitely be back because Once Is Never Enough!

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A stay at home mum, blogging to widen her social life. 
We want to echo the sound of love through our lives to inspire other mothers alike.