Oberhof (dpa/th) - No trails have been groomed yet, but in many places the Thuringian Forest has wrapped itself in a white winter coat. According to the Thuringian Forest regional association on Saturday, there is between 10 and 18 centimeters of snow, often powder snow, at altitudes. If there is frost, further snowfall is expected over the weekend.

Kilometers of winter hiking trails have already been prepared in some places in the Thuringian low mountain range. There are currently 21 routes in total. This is the case in Brotterode/Trusetal, Ilmenau/Manebach, Oberhof or Tambach-Dietharz, among others.

At Oberhof, with an average snow depth of around 10 centimetres, the first ski lift and the first snow tubing facility of the season went into operation, according to the regional association. Tobogganing is not only possible in Thuringia's most famous winter sports resort, but also in Oberweissbach and Spechtsbrunn.

In Sonneberg, you can skate in the ice rink on an area of ​​30 by 60 meters. It is possible to rent ice skates or to use ice skating learning aids.