Winter sports and fun in the snow again at last

Winter fans are currently experiencing real moments of longing in the Sauerland winter sports arena. The snow mountains are growing in glorious weather. Around 50 ski and toboggan lifts are set to open at the weekend. Among them is the new chairlift in the Altastenberg ski carousel.

Alpine skiing

Winter is back and skiers and snowboarders are really enjoying it. The lift operators have been producing snow since last weekend in order to increase the number of lifts on offer and secure the rest of the season if possible. The lifts have been running very efficiently in the low temperatures. With good to mostly very good conditions, at least 40 ski lifts in the region from Willingen via Winterberg and Schmallenberg to Olpe are expected to be open for winter sports at the weekend. This will also include a few smaller ski areas. Purely natural snow slopes will not be open.

- Most of the snow-covered ski areas will be open at the weekend. Almost all pistes will then be skiable. Info: www.wintersport-arena.de/alpin

- Floodlit skiing is possible in many areas from Friday. Including Willingen, Winterberg and Neuastenberg: Info: www.wintersport-arena.de/skifahren-boarden/flutlicht-und-funparks

- For snowboarders and freeskiers, the fun park will be set up in Neuastenberg at the weekend.

Tobogganing

Tobogganing is not possible on the currently still very thin natural snow cover. However, the lift operators have taken precautions and technically provided some toboggan slopes with snow. The lifts will be running on the open, snow-covered toboggan slopes at the weekend. At least 7 lifts are expected to be running in Willingen, Winterberg, Neuastenberg, Niedersfeld and Bödefeld, among others. In Neuastenberg, tobogganing is also possible by floodlight on Friday and Saturday evenings. Information on tobogganing can be found at www.wintersport-arena.de/rodeln/rodellifte.

Cross-country skiing

At the Westfeld cross-country skiing centre, all signs point to an early opening. As there is not yet enough natural snow to make tracks, this is a ray of hope for cross-country skiers. Westfeld is the only cross-country skiing centre in the region with technical snowmaking. As long as possible, the operators will use the cold to build up as many snow reserves as possible. They will use this to create an undulating course and open it for skiing as soon as possible. This is expected to be the case in the coming week.

Winter hiking

Even if the sun retreats from Friday, the great winter experience remains. You don't need much snow for a beautiful winter hike. Just a few centimetres and a lot of frost are enough to transform the mountains into a winter wonderland. Winter hiking is possible everywhere. In Willingen, the Upland Winter Hiking Day is taking place until 14 January.

Weather

After the many cloudy days around Christmas and the turn of the year, the dry, cold and sunny winter weather came just in time. The sun will retreat again from Friday. However, permafrost will continue to prevail on the mountains. The first snow showers will arrive at the beginning of the week. It will remain cold until at least the middle of the week. After that, there is a good chance that the long-awaited winter weather will continue and possibly bring some fresh snow.

In operation for the first time: the new chairlift

The operators had to wait a long time. After more than two years of planning and construction, the new chairlift went into operation for the first time on Friday. Initially, the authorisation process dragged on. Then no snow could be produced due to the construction work. Finally, the "Christmas thaw" struck. The operators are now all the more pleased that they can finally get started. Guests can now "float" uphill in the comfortable four-seater chairlift. The optimised piste takes them downhill. The Kapellenhang has become a beautiful, safe family run with a wonderful panoramic view. In addition to the Kapellenlift, the Brüchetallift will also be in operation.

Events and activities

The last days of the Hessian Christmas holidays make up for the previous gloomy time with many winter experiences. After the world's elite luge athletes have competed in the Winterberg ice track, it's now the turn of the next generation. The Junior World Cup takes place on 12 and 13 January.

It's not easy to find the right snowboard for each individual. Width, hardness, profile, shape and length together make for a good ride. It should also look stylish. The Goodboards Test Centre will take place in the Neuastenberg ski village on 13 and 14 January. Guests can test and compare boards free of charge. Staff and team riders will be on hand at the stand to answer questions and provide detailed advice.

Event calendar

10-14 January Upland winter hiking day in Willingen

12 and 13 January Junior World Cup Luge in Winterberg

13-14 January Snowboard test centre Goodboards, Neuastenberg ski village

20 January Intersport Voswinkel floodlight evening in Neuastenberg

20-21 January Nordica Double Core Tour Stop: ski test, Winterberg ski lift carousel, Kappe

24 January Youth trains for the Olympics, Westfeld cross-country skiing centre

26 January Company floodlit skiing at K1 in the Willingen ski area

27 January Cross-country skiing action days on the Steinert in Girkhausen.

27 - 28 January Continental Cup Ski Jumping in Willingen

2-4 February FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Willingen

3 February Bataleon 20Y Anniversary, Postwiesen Park in Neuastenberg

10-11 February The Takeover - Snowpark Event at the Winterberg ski lift carousel on the Kappe

19 February to 3 March BMW IBSF World Championships Bobsleigh and Skeleton in Winterberg

9 to 10 March Snowboard World Cup on the Poppenberg in the Winterberg ski lift carousel