Growing range of winter sports on the second weekend in Advent

50 lifts and 180 kilometres of trails in the Sauerland winter sports arena

After the start of the season on the first weekend in Advent, the fun and sports in the snow continue. Despite slightly milder temperatures, the offer will grow. In the Sauerland winter sports arena, around 50 lifts in around 10 ski areas will be running at the weekend and around 180 kilometres of cross-country ski trails will be groomed.

Alpine skiing

At the weekend, the winter sports offering is set to grow to around 50 lifts in around ten ski resorts. Part of the fun park in Neuastenberg has already been set up for snowboarders and freeskiers.

After snowfall and abundant snowmaking, skiers and snowboarders will find very good winter sports conditions in the snow-covered ski areas. The snow cover here is up to 70 centimetres. Pistes that open on a pure natural snow base have up to 30 centimetres of snow and usually report good conditions. After the cold period with permafrost on the mountains, winter sports enthusiasts can expect firm, grippy pistes until Saturday. From Sunday, the snow cover will become softer. There are unlikely to be any natural snow slopes in the coming week.

The following are expected to be open at the weekend: Winterberg ski lift carousel, Willingen ski area, Neuastenberg ski village, Schlossberg ski area, Bödefeld-Hunau ski area, Usseln ski area. The Wildewiese and Hohe Bracht ski areas will endeavour to open. Some ski areas are closed during the week. Information on the lift offers can be found daily online at www.wintersport-arena.de.

Tobogganing

There are toboggan runs with toboggan lifts in many open ski areas. Around eight toboggan lifts are expected to be running at the weekend. Up-to-date information on active toboggan lifts can be found at www.wintersport-arena.de in the tobogganing section. In the ski resorts of Sternrodt near Olsberg, Mein Homberg near Züschen and Schlossberg near Küstelberg, tobogganing will be possible without a lift.

Cross-country skiing

Since last weekend, the number of cross-country ski trails has grown steadily. A few more will be added by the coming weekend. Around 180 kilometres of cross-country ski trails will then stretch through the mountains. Conditions are good to very good until Saturday and mostly good from Sunday onwards. In the coming week, the natural snow trails will probably be reduced due to the precipitation.

The Westfeld cross-country skiing centre has effectively produced snow during the cold days and nights. A wavy course will be prepared in the stadium area as soon as possible. However, this is not expected at the weekend.

Winter hiking

If you want to experience a snow-covered landscape, you should make the most of the weekend. Specially designated winter hiking trails are prepared (rolled or cleared). Friday is particularly suitable for this, with light snowfall in the morning and a predominantly dry Saturday. Not all huts are open yet, but there are plenty of opportunities to stop for a bite to eat.

Weather and further prospects

After a very frosty midweek, the thermometer will rise slightly. Snow production will then no longer be possible. Temperatures will remain below freezing until Friday, bringing light snowfall in places. Saturday will be mainly dry, Sunday changeable. The start of the week will be mild, with isolated showers. After that, however, there will be a tendency towards more cold again. Winter sports conditions will remain the same in the snow-covered ski areas.

The Sahnehang family ski area between Winterberg and Altastenberg is planning to open on the third weekend in Advent

The Eschenberg lifts in Winterberg-Niedersfeld are also planning to open on the third weekend.

The Altastenberg ski carousel is planning to open as soon as the new lifts are completed. This should be the case by Christmas at the latest.

Calendar of events

15 December European Skeleton Cup in Winterberg

30 December Torchlight hike in the Willingen ski area (Ettelsberg cable car)

31 December New Year's Eve floodlit skiing in Neuastenberg

6 and 7 January EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup with Team Relay presented by BMW in Winterberg

10-14 January Upländer Winter Hiking Day in Willingen

12 and 13 January Junior World Cup Luge in Winterberg

20 January Intersport Voswinkel floodlight evening in Neuastenberg

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

27 - 28 January Continental Cup Ski Jumping in Willingen

2-4 February FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Willingen

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