Thuringia: Thuringian Forest prepared for the new winter sports season

More than 100 seasonal days on the ski lifts and 88 days when cross-country skiing was possible - the past winter in the Thuringian Forest was not bad.

Thuringia: Thuringian Forest prepared for the new winter sports season

More than 100 seasonal days on the ski lifts and 88 days when cross-country skiing was possible - the past winter in the Thuringian Forest was not bad. Does that work this season too?

Suhl (dpa/th) - The first snow has fallen, the snow phone is on: The winter sports resorts in the Thuringian Forest are hoping for a similarly good winter as last season. As far as the snow cover is concerned, the Rennsteig region is not as far as last year, said Stefan Ebert from the Thuringian Forest regional association on request. "Last year, the first cross-country ski runs were groomed in Oberhof and Masserberg on December 1st." There must be at least 25 centimeters of snow. At least alpine skiers can hope for the first downhill runs. The first ski lifts are expected to go into operation next Saturday (December 10th).

This applies to the Fallbachhang in Oberhof and the Silbersattel Arena in Steinach. The alpine facilities in the Thuringian Forest are family-friendly and suitable for beginners. The region is particularly popular with cross-country skiers. According to Ebert, up to 1400 kilometers of cross-country routes can be groomed in the Thuringian Forest and Rhön this year if there is enough snow. In some regions, however, ski trippers would have to be prepared for restrictions due to forestry work, such as the Eisenberg circuit near Suhl.

Alpine skiers should be able to use a total of 20 lifts in the new season. Inflation is reflected in ticket prices. The prices have increased by about ten percent on average, said Ebert. "Nevertheless, it has not become exorbitantly expensive in the Thuringian Forest." According to the information on the lift website, the day ticket for the Fallbach lift costs 26 euros for adults and 19 euros for children.

Parking spaces in the Rennsteig region are likely to remain a permanent problem this season. For years, they have not been sufficient, especially on weekends when the snow conditions are good. However, the Rennsteig can also be reached quite easily by public transport from the direction of Erfurt and Coburg, said Ebert. On weekends and public holidays, for example, the Rennsteig shuttle, a regional train, runs four times a day from Erfurt to Rennsteig station.

According to the regional association, cross-country skiing was possible on a total of 88 days in the Thuringian Forest and Rhön in the 2021/22 winter season, the lifts managed 105 days of the season. With 123,000 skiers, the lifts would have even recorded an all-time high.