The idyllic small town of Winterberg in the Rothaargebirge attracts attention, especially in winter. Known for the extensive Winterberg ski lift carousel, the region around Winterberg inspires with very good winter sports opportunities. But away from the slopes, Winterberg has a lot to offer, making the well-known winter sports area an attractive destination in Germany .
Winterberg ski lift carousel – family-friendly ski area in the Rothaar Mountains
The winter sports area of Winterberg has gained international fame as a venue for World Cup races in bobsleigh and luge. Winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world are drawn to Winterberg in North Rhine-Westphalia. Together with the neighbouring ski resorts, the Winterberg ski lift carousel winter sports area has merged to form the Wintersport-Arena Sauerland, creating one of the most important winter sports regions in the Alps. In total, the arena consists of 57 small and larger ski areas with 150 lifts and a large selection of slopes of all levels of difficulty. Guests of the winter sports resort of Winterberg can therefore visit all ski areas in the region with a single ticket and benefit from the region’s high-quality winter sports offers.
In total, 90 percent of the slopes are covered with snow, because almost 600 snow guns are operated in the winter sports region. In addition to snow-covered ski slopes (approx. 200 hectares of slopes), there are also 6 snow-covered toboggan slopes and up to 10 km of snow-covered cross-country ski trails. The Skiliftkarusell Winterberg ski area alone shines with 32 runs, of which 14 km of slopes are classified as blue slopes, 12 km as red slopes and 1.5 km as black slopes. 28 of the slopes can be snowed with 360 snow guns, so winter sports enthusiasts will always find good slope conditions here.
Other winter sports highlights around Winterberg
In addition to wonderful descents, the ski area has other winter sports highlights to offer. Among other things, there are five ski jumps in the winter sports region. The Winterberg bobsleigh runs, which are also regularly used for competitions, are also attractive. But cross-country ski trails also crisscross the winter sports area, for all those who want to enjoy the wintry surroundings.
Thanks to the magnificent mountain landscape, winter hikes through the snow-covered landscape are also worthwhile. Among other things, a visit to the Kahler Asten is worthwhile, because from the top of the mountain you can enjoy a spectacular view.
Sights and excursion destinations
The biggest attraction of the region is of course the fantastic mountain landscape around Winterberg. But it is also worth visiting the State Museum of Natural History in the mountain inn on the Kahler Asten. The weather station of the German Weather Service can also be visited on the Kahler Asten. In Winterberg-Neuastenberg, the winter sports museum attracts visitors with multifaceted exhibits and thus 5,000 years of skiing history is illuminated here, but also the cultural and social history of the region is addressed in the exhibition.
If you are interested in village life in the region, you should take time to visit the Heimatstube in Siedlinghausen . Thanks to image, film and sound documents as well as countless exhibits, the museum manages to provide visitors with interesting insights into historical life in the region. An absolute must for many guests of the region is a visit to the Hallenberg ice house. It is considered the smallest and, of course, the coldest museum in North Rhine-Westphalia. On 23 square meters, visitors can look over the shoulders of ice artists during their creative process. It is also very interesting to take part in a guided tour of the Veltins Ice Arena.
An absolute experience is also the participation in the Outdorrescape with the theme of robbery on the Schlossberg. If you can warm up to the great half-timbered houses in the region, you should definitely visit the town centre of Hallenberg. The town has 50 monuments and the road from 1780 in the centre of the village has been preserved to this day. The town church of St. Heribert is also worth a visit thanks to its baroque furnishings.
A stroll through the picturesque Winterberg
The small town of Winterberg itself radiates pure cosiness. Especially the old town, characterized by historic half-timbered houses, inspires with its very special charm. Many of the old half-timbered houses date back to the 18th century and have been lovingly renovated, so that they really enrich the cityscape. Among other things, the St. James Church from 1791 is well worth seeing. North of the old town, the city’s spa gardens also beckon, inviting you to take a walk.
In addition, Winterberg is a nice little shopping town with small friendly specialty shops. The offer ranges from sweet delicacies to high-quality fashion, so that a leisurely shopping trip is worthwhile in any case. In the streets of the city you will find wonderfully rustic restaurants and cozy cafés that invite you to feast and linger. One of the traditional dishes of the region is bacon pancakes, which can also be found on the menu in many restaurants. In addition, it is always worth taking a look at the calendar of events, because especially in the winter season there are one or two event highlights in and around Winterberg.
Interesting facts about Winterberg
1. Location and accessibility
- Geographical location: Winterberg is located in the Hochsauerlandkreis district in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
- Accessibility: The ski area is easily accessible by car and is about 1.5 to 2 hours away from larger cities such as Dortmund or Kassel. There are also good train connections to Winterberg.
2. Slope length and variety
- Total slope length: The Winterberg ski lift carousel offers a total of about 27.5 kilometers of groomed slopes.
- Schwierigkeitsgrade:
- Blue slopes (easy): approx. 14 km
- Red slopes (medium): approx. 12 km
- Black slopes (difficult): approx. 1.5 km
- Altitude: The slopes are between 580 and 820 meters above sea level.
3. Lifts and facilities
- Number of lifts: A total of 34 lifts, including chairlifts, T-bar lifts and conveyor belts.
- Modern lifts: The lifts have been modernised and offer a high transport capacity to minimise waiting times.
4. Ski season
- Duration: The ski season typically starts in December and ends in March, depending on snow conditions.
- Snow reliability: Winterberg has one of the largest snow-making systems in Germany to ensure snow reliability.
5. Special highlights
- Floodlit skiing: A special highlight in Winterberg is skiing under floodlights. Several slopes are illuminated in the evening and offer a special skiing experience.
- Fun park: The fun park on the Poppenberg offers freestylers jumps, rails and other obstacles.
- Tobogganing: There are designated toboggan runs that offer fun for families and children.
6. Off-piste and winter activities
- Cross-country skiing: The Sauerland is known for its cross-country ski trails, and Winterberg offers a variety of routes for cross-country skiers.
- Hiking and snowshoeing: Winter hiking trails and guided snowshoe hikes are also popular.
- Toboggan runs: There are also special toboggan runs for children and families.
7. Infrastructure
- Parking: There are numerous parking options near the lifts.
- Gastronomy: Several huts and restaurants offer local specialties and après-ski opportunities.
- Equipment rental: Ski rental stations offer modern ski equipment, snowboards and protective equipment.
8. Family-friendliness
- Ski schools: Winterberg has several ski schools that offer courses for beginners and advanced skiers, including children’s courses.
- Children’s areas: Special practice areas and children’s parks ensure that the little ones can learn to ski safely and playfully.
9. Special tips for skiers
- Early skiing: The slopes are less crowded early in the morning, which is ideal for a relaxed start to the ski day.
- Particularly rewarding runs: The Kappe panorama lift offers a particularly beautiful view and a varied descent.
10. Accommodation
- Hotels and holiday apartments: Winterberg offers a variety of accommodation, from cosy guesthouses to modern hotels.
- Ski-in/ski-out: Some accommodations allow direct access to the slopes.
11. Après-ski and leisure
- Après-ski offers: Winterberg has a few bars and restaurants that offer après-ski atmosphere.
- Wellness: Some hotels offer wellness and spa areas for relaxation after skiing.
12. Weather conditions
- Sunny days: Winterberg has average good weather conditions in winter, although there are also cloudy days. However, the area is known for snowfall from northwesterly weather conditions.
