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Winter Sports in Germany
Few other places in the world offer as many natural and man-made sites
for visitors to test their daring and skill: Boardercross, snowboarding,
freestyle skiing, skeleton, ice climbing and luge top but do not complete
the list of wild rides. For the less adventurous, tobogganing, cross-country
skiing, ice skating, and snow-shoeing or snow-hiking are widely available.
Many of these sports were pioneered or perfected in Germany, and a visit
will quickly reveal why: Snow and sunshine are seldom in short supply
at elevations above 1,000 meters - which means most everywhere in the
principal winter sports regions of Bavaria and the Allgäu in the south,
the Harz mountains in the center of the country and the Erz mountains
in eastern Germany.
On the off-chance that the weather does not cooperate or if you get a craving to carve mid-summer, there are ways to get your piste fix. In the towns of Bottrop and Neuss in North Rhine-Westphalia, two new indoor skiing facilities are open every day from morning to midnight. At both centers, temperatures are kept constant at -5°C and snow machines ensure optimum skiing conditions on the 640-meter slopes. Even top skiers, like members of the Swiss national team, set up summer training camp here. This is also a good place to get your "ski legs" if you aren't yet national team material. Once in Bavaria or the Allgäu, however, there'll be no shortage of opportunities for practice. While Alpine (downhill) skiing is arguably at its world-class peak in the rugged terrain around Garmisch, the Black Forest, further west, claims to be the cradle of the sport. The slopes and facilities in both areas are top-notch. In the Garmisch area, slopes and lifts on Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2,964 meters),are in operation from November through May and are a magnet for downhill skiers and their snowboarding friends. Around the Zugspitze are 118 kilometers of slopes in all difficulty classes, including the world-famous Kandahar run, which is licensed for World Cup competition. In Damkar unprepared slopes are ideal for purists who enjoy the essence of virgin snow. Half-pipes and other artificial courses have been constructed at most ski areas in Germany for boarders and skiers.  Trails Snow hiking has gained great popularity in the last few years as ski resorts lure non-skiing guests to their facilities with a greater range of outdoor activities. Grooming machines tamp down snow along ambling trails that lead visitors deep into forests or over frozen lakes. The clearly marked trails, invigorating air and crunch of snow underfoot make these winter promenades easy to enjoy - though more challenging routes are often available as well. For visitors who like a little more kick-and-glide to their travel, Nordic (cross-country) skiing on Germany's extensive network of excellently groomed trails is pure pleasure. Many ski areas have Hochloipen (high-altitude trails), accessible only by gondola or chairlift. These are reserved for touring skiers who enjoy soaking up the splendors of Alpine scenery at less than a break-neck pace. On the Zugspitze, glacial formations keep ground conditions ideal for snow late into spring, so even as air temperatures begin to warm, snows remain powdery and inviting.
In the Thuringian forest of central Germany, winter usually starts early, a gift to cross-country skiers eager to traverse the famous Rennsteig ridge trail - the world's longest contiguous cross-country ski trail. Nordic skiers are also treated well in the Black Forest, where all trails are admission-free and most are interconnected. Those who bring some extra endurance along with them can try a challenging but scenic 100-kilometer trail from Schonach to Belchen. In the Black Forest, snowshoeing is enjoying a revival. Equipment and instruction are available in most places where Nordic skis or hiking facilities are located. Snowshoes open exploration beyond marked trails, as the broad, webbed footgear supports the snowshoer's weight as she skims across drifts and dales. In Garmisch, home to Germany's only winter Olympic games, visitors can choose from one of five rinks at the Olympic ice skating facility, or cut figure eights on one of the region's many lakes. High in the Black Forest, Lake Titi is one of the few large lakes in the area that is partially or entirely frozen over every winter. It forms a natural rink where live music and ice discotheques are very popular among skaters and dancers of all ages. Extreme Sports
Whether you've spent the day pumping adrenaline or watching someone else do it, come sundown relaxation is in order. It takes a little effort to hoist a Mass (liter) of beer at a mountain cabin or to dance the night away at a disco as après-ski tradition dictates, but those too exhausted for such energetic activities can sip schnapps (brandy) by the fireside or enjoy a fine meal at one of many rustic inns or sophisticated hotels. A
selection of Germany's winter sports landmarks:
Link For detailed information on all of these offerings check out the German Tourist Office website. |
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