Oberwiesenthal/Altenberg (dpa/sn) - After spring-like temperatures at the beginning of the new year, Saxony's ski areas are hoping for cooler values. "We hope that we can produce snow again from mid-January," said Erik Schulze from the Oberwiesenthal lift company. After the New Year there are only a few remnants of snow in the ski area in the Erzgebirge district near the Czech border. The area was still well visited between the years: "But the guests had to find their way around differently, winter sports were not possible."

Numerous people also came to the ski area in Altenberg between Christmas and New Year, said Maik Hentzschel from the ski lift there. Shortly before the turn of the year, visitors could still ski on slopes covered with artificial snow. "But it doesn't last when the temperatures are too warm either. So we have to work our way from day to day," said Hentzschel. The forecasts for the next few days are not exactly rosy.