Protected zones and conditions
The protection of nature and the landscape in the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena is based on a multi-tiered system of European, federal and state regulations.
This system is designed to ensure that nature and the landscape are protected and that ecological functions are preserved, even in the context of tourism.
The following section describes the main protection categories and protection zones that apply in the region’s ski resorts.
Protection categories in the ski resorts
The European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse have clear legal frameworks in place to protect nature and the countryside.
In the ski resorts of the Wintersport-Arena, there are various categories of protected areas, some of which overlap:
- FFH sites and special areas of conservation for birds – both part of the European Natura 2000 network
- Nature reserves (NSG) – specially protected areas of nature and landscape under federal and state law
- Legally protected biotopes – specially protected habitats, such as spring areas, wet meadows, moors, nutrient-poor grasslands, mountain hay meadows, heathland or mat-grass grasslands
- Water protection areas – areas designated to safeguard drinking water abstraction, which are generally divided into protection zones with varying protection regulations
Each of these categories entails its own requirements and restrictions on use, designed to manage tourist activity and protect sensitive habitats.
Sources:
- EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC
- Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
- Hesse Nature Conservation Law
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG NRW)
- LANUV NRW – Protected Areas and Zones
- Natureg Hessen
Protected area in the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena
| Ski Area | Affected Sub-Areas | Protection Status / Protected Area | Remarks (Current State of Knowledge) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sahnehang Family Ski Area | Upper slope area (adjacent to the Kahler Asten) | Kahler Asten Nature Reserve (HSK-008) / FFH site “Kahler Asten” (DE-4717-304) | The upper section forms part of the heathland areas on the Kahler Asten and is part of the protected complex comprising upland heath and spring habitats. |
| Skiliftkarussell Winterberg (Nordhang) | Upper section of the Nordhang slope | Kahler Asten Nature Reserve (HSK-008) / heathland areas | Same protected area setting as at Sahnehang; heathland with dwarf-shrub heath and spring habitats. |
| Skikarussell Altastenberg | Mountain meadows in the upper and middle sections | FFH site “Bergwiesen bei Winterberg” (DE-4717-305) / Bergwiesen bei Altastenberg Nature Reserve (HSK-443) | Sub-areas with species-rich mountain meadows and hay meadows, constituting protected habitats. |
| Skidorf Neuastenberg (Postwiese) | Sub-areas with heathland and nutrient-poor grassland | FFH site “Bergwiesen bei Winterberg” (DE-4717-305) / Bergwiesen bei Neuastenberg Nature Reserve (HSK-547) | Protection covers heathland, nutrient-poor grassland and other grassland areas; the precise allocation of individual areas will be added. The exact boundaries shown in the official maps are authoritative. |
| Ruhrquelle Ski Area | Slope area in the south-east | FFH site “Bergwiesen bei Winterberg” (DE-4717-305) as well as water protection areas around the Ruhrquelle / Ruhr meadows | Combination of mountain meadow and groundwater protection; allocation to protection zones I–III is still to be determined. The precise zone boundaries are defined in the official maps and protected-area regulations. |
| Willingen Ski Area (Ettelsberg) | High-elevation areas and south-facing slopes | FFH site “Ettelsberg mit Ruthenaar- und Hoppecketal” (DE-4717-350) | Protected heathland, nutrient-poor grassland and Nardus grassland; habitats characteristic of the FFH site on the Ettelsberg. |
| Sternrodt Ski Area (Bruchhausen) | Valley area and lower slope | Bruchhausen Water Protection Area (Zones II–III) | Water protection requirements apply to parts of the surrounding area. The precise zone boundaries and requirements are defined in the relevant water protection area regulations. |
This overview is based on official sources (LANUV NRW, BfN, Hochsauerlandkreis, Natureg Hessen) and regional expert knowledge.
More detailed information will be compiled as soon as possible.
Water protection areas – Protection Zones I to III
Water protection areas are designated in accordance with the Water Resources Act and the relevant state regulations. Their purpose is to prevent pollutants from entering drinking water abstraction points. Drinking water protection areas are generally divided into protection zones with different protection regulations. The specific protection area regulation applies in each case.
Zone I – Immediate catchment area
- Serves to directly protect springs and wells.
- Land use is generally very strictly restricted.
- In most cases, only measures serving the purposes of water abstraction, safeguarding and maintenance are permitted.
Example: Spring areas may be fenced off and not accessible to the public.
Zone II – Narrower protection area
- Protection of the narrower catchment area.
- Depending on the relevant protected area regulation, strict requirements apply, for example, regarding fertiliser use, pesticides, substances hazardous to water, earthworks, access routes or structures.
- The permitted uses are set out in the relevant protected area regulation.
Example: In the Winterberg ski lift complex, special conditions apply to the storage of operating materials and the waterproofing of facilities.
Zone III – wider catchment area
- An extensive zone with protection requirements for land uses within the catchment area for drinking water abstraction.
- Land uses remain possible but, depending on the project, are subject to specific requirements, restrictions or authorisation obligations.
Example: In parts of the region, winter sports areas are located within water protection zones. Special requirements apply there, for example regarding substances hazardous to water, road salt, earthworks or structures.
Sources:
- Hochsauerlandkreis – Water Protection Zone Regulations
- LANUV NRW – Drinking Water Protection
Nature Reserves (NSG)
Nature reserves are areas of nature and landscape that are subject to special protection. The legal basis is provided by Section 23 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act; the specific requirements and prohibitions are set out in landscape plans, nature reserve regulations or regulations issued by the relevant authorities.
Examples in and around the ski resorts of the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena:
- Kahler Asten (HSK-008): heathland and moorland with spring areas – strictly protected.
- Mountain meadows near Altastenberg (HSK-443): species-rich hay meadows with rare plants such as arnica and globeflower.
- Mountain meadows near Neuastenberg (HSK-547): smaller areas of nutrient-poor grassland and nutrient-poor pasture, part of the ‘Mountain Meadows near Winterberg’ FFH site.
Typical restrictions, depending on the area, may include:
- Staying on designated paths – access only via marked trails.
- Restrictions on fertilisation, plant protection, soil cultivation or intensity of use.
- Construction work only permitted following a nature conservation assessment and approval.
- No fires or camping.
Source: NRW Nature Reserve Database
FFH-Gebiete (Natura 2000)
Valuable habitats and rare species are protected within the FFH sites of the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena. These include species-rich mountain meadows, spring fens, heathland, nutrient-poor grasslands and mat-grass grasslands, which provide habitats for many plant and insect species.
The following FFH sites are located within the Wintersport-Arena:
- Mountain meadows near Winterberg (DE-4717-305) – comprises parts of the Altastenberg and Neuastenberg ski resorts as well as the source of the Ruhr.
- Kahler Asten (DE-4717-304) – raised heathland and spring areas, including the upper sections of the Sahnehang family ski resort and the northern slope of the Winterberg ski lift circuit.
- Ettelsberg with the Ruthenaar and Hoppecketal valleys (DE-4717-350) – heathland, nutrient-poor grasslands and matgrass grasslands in the vicinity of the Willingen ski resort.
Typical conditions and management objectives may include:
- Conservation of heathland, nutrient-poor and bristle-grass meadows through regular management, for example, scrub clearance or late mowing.
- Guidelines on management and use, such as restrictions on fertilisation, afforestation, drainage or intensity of use, insofar as this is necessary to achieve the conservation objectives.
- Protection of rare and site-specific species such as arnica, globeflower or various butterfly species.
- Construction works may only be carried out following a prior assessment under nature conservation law and the provision of compensatory measures.
Projects or plans that could significantly adversely affect a Natura 2000 site must be compatible with the site’s conservation objectives. The basis for this is, in particular, Section 34 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
These regulations protect characteristic Sauerland habitats such as mountain heaths, hay meadows and bristle-grass meadows – and thus the region’s ecological diversity.
Sources:
- BfN – Natura 2000
- LANUV NRW – FFH site DE-4717-305 ‘Mountain meadows near Winterberg’
- Federal Nature Conservation Act, in particular Sections 31–36 BNatSchG
Environmental Protection in Practice
Landscape planning and specific on-site requirements
In the Hochsauerland district, landscape plans form an important basis for specific protected areas, management guidelines and on-site requirements. They legally establish nature reserves, landscape conservation areas, protected landscape features and natural monuments, as well as development, management and access measures.
For specific areas, therefore, the official maps, landscape plans, protected area regulations and authorisation notices are always authoritative.
Environmental protection in practice
The Sauerland Winter Sports Arena is constantly working to improve its environmental standards. These include:
- needs-based snow management and efficient snowmaking technology
- The use of renewable energy and modern snow groomers equipped with snow depth measurement
- Re-vegetation and erosion control following construction work
- Cooperation with nature conservation authorities and specialist institutions
- Visitor management to protect sensitive habitats
The aim is to use and maintain winter sports areas in such a way that sensitive habitats are protected.
Up-to-date information and transparency
As at August 2026. The content has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and is reviewed regularly. The relevant official maps, landscape plans, protected area regulations and authorisation notices currently in force are decisive for specific areas, zone boundaries and conditions.
List of sources
- EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC
- EU Birds Directive 2009/147/EC
- Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG NRW)
- Hessian nature conservation law
- LANUV NRW – Protected Areas and Biotopes
- NSG Database NRW
- BfN – Natura 2000 / Impact Regulation
- Hochsauerlandkreis – Water Protection Area Regulations
- Natureg Hessen
- Water Resources Act (WHG)
- Hochsauerlandkreis – Landscape Planning