Suhl (dpa/th) - With increasing snow depth, the winter sports possibilities in the Thuringian Forest become more numerous. For the first time this season, cross-country ski trails were groomed, the Thuringian Forest regional association announced on Sunday. Three cross-country trails are available around Spechtsbrunn near Sonneberg. There is currently up to 20 centimeters of snow in the high altitudes of the low mountain range with frost levels.

The prepared, kilometer-long winter hiking trails have increased to a total of 27. Tobogganing is not only possible in Thuringia's most famous winter sports resort, Oberhof, but also in Oberweissbach and Spechtsbrunn. In Oberhof, the first lift of this winter went into operation on Saturday, as did a snow tubing facility.