First ‘real’ cold weather boosts winter sports activities

Over 20 ski and toboggan lifts are set to open at the weekend

A little snow at Christmas, but the wintry cold has been a long time coming. This is now changing. The turn of the year will be frosty. Thanks to technical snowmaking, there should be 18 ski lifts and four to five toboggan lifts open by the weekend - for fun and sports in the snow in the last week of the Christmas holidays. 

Snowmaking 

Good and extensive winter sports facilities are not necessarily the norm at Christmas and the turn of the year. As there is little guarantee of snow at this time, the ski resorts have to help out early with technical snowmaking. The necessary cold weather has been a long time coming. At the moment, lift operators are making the most of the opportunity and turning clear water into snow. Depending on the intensity of the snowmaking, it will take a few nights before the slopes are covered with a thick layer of snow. Provided the weather forecasts are accurate, there should be a good basis over the first weekend in January. If a few more flakes trickle down from the sky, the conditions for beautiful winter sports days will be fully met. That's what it looks like at the moment. 

Alpine skiing 

The recent snowy nights have already freshened up the existing winter sports facilities. If the current weather forecasts are confirmed, around 18 ski lifts could be running on the first weekend in January. Skiing is only possible on the snow-covered pistes. The conditions there are good to very good. 

Tobogganing 

Children and adults can toboggan on four to five snow-covered toboggan runs. The Ruhrquelle ski area, Neuastenberg ski village and Sahnehang family ski area are planning to open their toboggan runs. The conveyor belt for tobogganists may also be running in Olpe-Fahlenscheid. Tobogganing in the countryside is currently not possible. 

For kids 

In Willingen, the ski school offers children's courses on an artificial piste on the village meadow. The summer toboggan runs in Winterberg, Willingen and at Sternrodt in Olsberg-Bruchhausen are open. 

Hiking 

It's been a long time since we've had a really cold New Year's Eve. The days are also wintry. The last day of the year is perfect for a hike. The new year starts with a temporary storm. From Friday onwards, beautiful hikes in a slightly sugary winter landscape are possible again. 

The weather 

The cold now moves from the valleys up to the mountains. During the nights, the thermometer drops into the deep minus range. A frosty minus 5 degrees is possible before the turn of the year and again from Thursday - good conditions for effective snowmaking. During the day, temperatures will rise to freezing point, sometimes slightly above. The first day of the year will be somewhat damp and quite stormy. After that, the weather will calm down but remain cold. Around 2 to 4 centimetres of fresh snow are expected to fall. 

Outlook 

The first cold turn of the year for four years - that bodes well for the still young winter season. If the forecasts come true, the lift operators will use every hour to produce snow. More snow-covered slopes could then be open after the weekend. Technically produced snow differs from natural snow in that it is more robust and lasts longer. This would provide a good basis for the rest of the season. 

Travel tips for the Christmas holidays 

- If you simply want to enjoy the winter air and do some hiking, you will find plenty of opportunities, peace and nature outside the centre of the region. The region's tourist information centres are happy to provide information about hiking trails. 
- It doesn't always have to be the core area. If you want to go skiing, you will find extensive offers in up to six ski areas. 
- Find out at home what you want to experience and where you want to go and then travel directly to your destination. Avoid the main travel routes. This will reduce the impact on road traffic. 
- The major ski resorts have online shops. If you want to save yourself waiting times at the ticket office, have a KeyCard sent to you in good time, book your ticket online and use it to get straight to the piste.