The bobsled track in Prosek has two tracks, five ellipsoids, and a view of the entire city of Prague after reconstruction
Prague, October 21, 2026 – After more than a year of reconstruction, the Bobová dráha Praha in Prosek has a new look. In addition to the classic bobsled track, a new Alpine Coaster 2.0 track was created, and both are connected by a structure of five steel ellipsoids and viewing terraces designed by architect Ondřej Fuchs from NOSCALE architects studio. The investment in the reconstruction amounts to around 100 million CZK and was completed without subsidies.
With the second track, the capacity of the area increased to 400 people per hour. “After twenty-two years of operation, it was necessary to significantly adapt the area to today’s requirements for capacity, safety, and speed of service. Thanks to the two tracks, visitors will no longer have to wait long for a ride,” says Jan Kantor, managing director of Bobovka s.r.o.
Both tracks were supplied by the German manufacturer Wiegand. On the classic bobsled track, which is 700 meters long, the sled runs in an open stainless steel trough; on the 650-meter-long Alpine Coaster, it is guided on rails. On both, speeds of up to 45 km/h are possible, and each rider controls their speed with a brake. The classic track was already reconstructed in 2022, when its wooden structure was replaced by iron.
The Prague Alpine Coaster 2.0 is only the second track of its kind among 23 bobsled tracks in the Czech Republic; the first is located in Monínec. Its operation is computer-controlled: each sled is registered in the system at the start, 2,000 magnets along the track monitor its exact position, and induction brakes automatically slow it down as needed. The track used 1.5 kilometers of rails, and its supporting structure weighs 60 tons. Before opening, the Alpine Coaster underwent 80 hours of test rides.
The biggest transformation, however, took place in the space between the tracks. Instead of one large building with a restaurant, a system of circular terraces, stalls, and a children’s playground now stands at the top of the slope. “One of the basic requirements of the investor was that the structure in the area should not appear as a solitary standalone and that the tracks should not remain attractions next to it. Therefore, from the beginning, we designed the bobsled track, the new Alpine Coaster, and the visitor and operational facilities as a single spatial organism,” says architect Ondřej Fuchs from NOSCALE architects studio.
The shape of the five steel ellipsoids is based on the free line of both tracks, which wind along the slope and intersect each other. The circular platforms are inserted inside the tracks, between the boarding and exit stations and the upper sections of both routes, and gradually descend the slope similarly to the ride itself. “The visitor thus finds themselves directly inside this organism and can closely observe the movement of the riders,” describes Ondřej Fuchs.
The design was developed from 2018 and went through several variants. The turning point was a new operational concept from the investor. “Instead of one large restaurant, a more open set of separate stalls, covered outdoor seating areas, and a separate main building with the bobsled track facilities were created,” says Ondřej Fuchs.
The reason was simple. “I know that visitors don’t come here just for one ride. They come with children or friends, take a ride, and then sit for a while watching Prague. That’s why we didn’t want to just replace the track but build a place where you can spend the whole afternoon even if you’re not riding,” explains Jan Kantor.
The terraces from which visitors look out over Prague stand on slender columns and, when viewed from below, appear to be floating. “The resulting lightness does not arise from the absence of structure but from the precisely designed cooperation of its individual parts,” explains Ondřej Fuchs. The terraces are arranged at different heights so as not to disrupt the horizon of the Prosek Rocks from a distance. From the higher levels, you can see across the Máchalka vineyard and Vysočany all the way to the Petřín lookout tower and Hradčany. “The original area already offered impressive evening views of illuminated Prague. The new structure develops this experience and creates more places from which visitors can perceive it,” adds Ondřej Fuchs. Part of the area is a large children’s playground on the roof of the main building, whose equipment will be completed in the second phase. The area is barrier-free.
The general contractor for the construction was Lachman Styl. Earthworks and excavation were provided by Kers, a specialist in cable car construction. Depending on the construction phase, 40 to 90 people worked on the site. The largest components were brought up the slope using two tower cranes, one forty meters and one twenty-two meters tall. The assembly of 12 kilometers of steel rods for the ellipsoids took two months, and a total of 150 tons of steel and 2,800 cubic meters of concrete were used. Some materials were recycled and reused, for example, for tables on the terraces or concrete cladding.
“From the perspective of the general contractor, this was an exceptionally demanding project, not only because of its architectural design but especially due to its structural and technological complexity. The construction took place on a sloping terrain with a thick layer of historical deposits, which imposed high demands on the design and foundation of individual structures on piles as well as on the realization of monolithic retaining walls that ensure slope stability and separate the different elevation levels of the area. The individual building structures are statically closely interconnected and linked not only by their foundations and retaining structures but also by footbridges and staircases. Every technological step required careful assessment of dependencies, precise coordination of various trades, and thorough planning of the construction process. The result is a technically exceptional structure that combines demanding structural solutions with an attractive public space. I am glad that together with all involved partners, we managed to successfully complete this project,” says Jaroslav Růžička, managing director of Lachman Styl.
The reconstruction was financed partly from own resources, partly from a supplier loan from Lachman Styl, and partly from private investments. Approximately 3 million CZK was raised through a bond issue.
Visitors can come to the terraces and the new Bobovka Bistro with a street food-inspired offer even without a ticket. Tickets are valid for both tracks, and each rider chooses the track on-site. One ride costs 99 CZK, 5 rides 400 CZK, and 10 rides 700 CZK; these tickets are valid for three months. Tickets for 20 rides at 1,300 CZK and 30 rides at 1,800 CZK have a one-year validity. The validity of old tickets will be extended accordingly, and original vouchers will be exchanged for tickets.
Children from 8 years old and at least 1.35 m tall can ride the Alpine Coaster alone; children from 3 to 7 years old only with accompaniment. On the classic bobsled track, children under 8 ride with an adult. Details are available at www.bobovadraha.cz.