New offers and sustainable technology for the 2025/26 season

The ski resorts in the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena are busy preparing for the coming winter. Investments of around €2 million in modern snow and slope maintenance technology, new ticket offers and an expanded sustainability concept are the focus of attention – while preserving tradition and diversity.

More efficient snow production 
In many places, snowmaking is being further optimised – always with sustainability in mind. Today, a modern snow cannon produces twice as much snow as it did 20 years ago with the same amount of energy, and snow lances produce three times as much as the models from 15 years ago. The Winterberg ski lift carousel is also embracing this development: seven new, particularly quiet and energy-efficient snow cannons will ensure reliable snow conditions on Astenstraße in future. On the Kappe, an upgraded power supply will improve the performance of the system, while snowmaking at Poppenberg will be technically optimised. In addition, heat recovery from all-weather snow production will be tested again this season – after the very cold early winter saw less use of the new technology and more use of classic snowmaking. New snowmobiles, improved technology – the list is long.

Snow reliability an issue in many places 
Other areas are also investing in modern snowmaking technology. In Willingen, older equipment on the Ettelsberg and Köhlerhagen slopes has been replaced with more energy-efficient models.  The Altastenberg ski carousel and Neuastenberg ski village have installed several newer and more efficient snow guns, and new equipment is being tested in the Bödefeld-Hunau ski area. Improvements to the water supply are also increasing efficiency. In addition, structural adjustments have been made in the entry area to improve snow conditions. Snowmaking has also been optimised in Olpe Fahlenscheid. 

Sustainable energy and climate-friendly slope maintenance
In addition to modern technology, operators have been increasingly focusing on sustainable solutions for years. The majority of CO₂ emissions in the ski resort are not attributable to snowmaking, but to slope maintenance. That is why this is a particular focus of our activities. The use of HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) – a fuel made from waste products from the paper industry – can reduce these emissions by up to 90 per cent.

Since last winter, all eleven snow groomers in the Winterberg ski lift carousel have been running on HVO. The newly purchased Pistenbully 600 with active winch roller will of course also run on HVO. Following the positive experiences in Winterberg, Willingen and the Neuastenberg ski village are now also relying on this virtually climate-neutral, clean fuel. This HVO, produced from waste from the paper industry, is particularly sustainable, slightly more expensive than conventional diesel and only available in limited quantities. 

On course for climate neutrality 
Thanks to photovoltaic systems, the use of HVO in Winterberg and Willingen, and the purchase of green electricity in the four largest ski resorts for many years now, the Wintersport-Arena is moving closer to its goal of continuously reducing CO₂ emissions in its daily operations. The winter sports region aims to be climate neutral by 2030.

There are also developments in terms of comfort and family friendliness. At the Sahnehang family ski resort, a 135-metre-long conveyor belt will make the ascent easier and safer for children in future.

What's new in ski lodges 
Many ski lodges welcome guests with small and large surprises. The Schneewittchenhaus in the Winterberg ski lift carousel is getting a new outdoor terrace. In Bödefeld-Hunau, the newly founded operating association has lovingly renovated the ski lodge – with new lamps, old church benches and a lot of voluntary commitment. The Hasenhütte in Altastenberg has also been modernised and beautified.

New ticket network 
In addition to the tried-and-tested Wintersport-Arena Card, a new alliance is being created: the Skiwelt-Winterberg-Ticket. From the coming season, it will connect five closely spaced ski areas with a joint ski pass. Guests will then be able to switch flexibly between the areas and spend the day where they feel most comfortable. A ski bus connects Altastenberg, Winterberg and Neuastenberg at frequent intervals. The new ticket not only opens up access to more kilometres of slopes and greater variety, but also draws attention to the smaller areas that benefit from joint marketing.

Association secures future at Hunau 
There is particularly good news from the Schmallenberg Sauerland region: the Bödefeld-Hunau ski resort has been secured for the long term. The association, which was founded last year, has taken over the lift, hut, snow-making equipment and technology and is continuing to run the traditional resort on its own. This means that an important part of the region's winter sports offering has been preserved.

Moderate price increases, some price reductions 
The region continues to develop steadily – from the large ski resorts in Winterberg and Willingen to the small family resorts, whether in the Schmallenberg area, the Wittgenstein region, Lennestadt, Olpe or in the Hochsauerland district. This breadth and diversity have a decisive influence on the character of the winter sports region. Of course, increased comfort and guaranteed snow come at a price. Nevertheless, ticket prices have only been adjusted moderately, and in some cases even reduced. The season ticket for the Wintersport-Arena Sauerland (valid in seven ski resorts) has been reduced by 60 euros (children's day season ticket -75 euros, children's combined day/evening season ticket -75 euros). 

In view of the significantly expanded range of services, Skiwelt Winterberg has raised the adult day ticket from €49 to €52, but reduced the children's ticket. Children now pay only €29 instead of the previous €33. In Willingen, the price of the day ticket has increased by €3 to €43. Children pay €28. And in the smaller areas, winter sports enthusiasts can still ski for a whole day for around 25 euros.

Events 2025/26
14–21 December: IBSF European Cup Bobsleigh, Veltins-Eisarena Winterberg
2–4 January: IBSF Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup, Veltins-Eisarena Winterberg
9–11 January: Eberspächer Luge World Cup, Veltins-Eisarena Winterberg
12–17 January: IBSF Skeleton European Cup, Veltins-Eisarena Winterberg
17 January: Intersport Voswinkel floodlit skiing, Postwiese Neuastenberg
19–23 January: Junior Luge World Cup, Veltins-Eisarena Winterberg
23 to 25 January: Schoolchildren's Cup, Westfeld-Ohlenbach Cross-Country Skiing Centre
28 January: Youth Training for the Olympics, Westfeld-Ohlenbach Cross-Country Skiing Centre 
30 January to 1 February: FIS Ski Jumping World Cup, Mühlenkopfschanze Willingen
21 to 22 March: Snowboard World Cup Parallel Slalom, Winterberg Ski Lift Carousel