Oberhof (dpa/th) - With the opening of further ski areas, the winter sports season in the Thuringian Forest picked up speed at the weekend. A total of three other ski areas were opened on Friday and Saturday, as a spokesman for the Thuringian Forest regional association said on Saturday. The sunny winter weather attracts many people to nature. "The total length of the groomed cross-country skiing trails is currently 112 kilometers," said the spokesman. The Fallbach lift in Oberhof was opened on Friday and the Silbersattel ski arena in Steinach and the Winterwelt in Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig on Saturday.
Overall, significantly more visitors are expected this winter sports season - due to the double World Cup in biathlon and tobogganing next year, said the spokesman.
On Saturday there was a snow cover of around 20 to 25 centimeters on the Rennsteig. In addition, there are frosty temperatures of around minus 10 degrees "and in pure sunshine," said the spokesman. There are 35 winter hiking trails. In addition, twelve toboggan slopes are open and five ski areas with lifts.
