The nights are drawing in and the days are getting colder but Destination Germany continues to offer active holidays. From international events, such as the Ski World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, to regional competitions held in atmospheric surroundings – come and take part this winter! For those
who prefer to watch, these events are accompanied by entertainment both on and off the pistes.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber provides a romantic backdrop for the annual Rothenburg illuminated run, from 7 to 11 November. The event caters for running enthusiasts of all ages and abilities with an 8km main running route and an 800m run for kids. The event is also a real spectacle
for onlookers with the old quarter lit up by flickering torches and fantastic lighting effects.
More: Rothenburg for Travelers
Spremberg
The international sled dog race held in Spremberg, Lusatia, from 20 to 21 November is a more unusual sporting attraction. The dogs follow a trail consisting of a series of inclines, exhilarating descents and many corners across the Ratsheide heath. The start and finishing lines are located right beside
each other, affording onlookers a view of all the action.
www.reiseland-brandenburg.de
Kuhlenberg
Germany’s oldest and most prestigious sled dog race takes place from 12 to 13 February 2011 on Winterberg’s 18km Kuhlenberg trail.
www.winterberg.de
Düsseldorf
From 3 to 5 December, the stars of the world of cross-country skiing will meet on the banks of the
Rhine in Düsseldorf for the FIS Cross-Country Skiing World Cup Sprint 2010. What seemed like a mad
idea before it was first held eight years ago – a skiing event in the middle of a city – has become an
annual highlight in the sporting calendar.
www.worldcup-duesseldorf.de
Neunkirchen
From 3 to 6 February 2011, visitors to the Winterwelt festival in Neunkirchen can try out all sorts of
unusual winter sports and enjoy the championship snowball fight, biathlon with laser rifles and
ski-jump simulator.
www.tourismus.saarland.de
München
From 28 to 30 January, winter sports enthusiasts will congregate in Munich for the Olympiapark Winter Sports Festival. The event offers something for everyone, with opportunities for beginners to try out cross-country skiing, ice hockey, tobogganing and much else besides. A varied programme of live
music and sporting displays offers entertainment away from the ski trails, pistes and sled runs.
— Munich travel information in our section: Munich for Travelers
Schwangau
Active holidaymakers, culturally minded visitors and those who appreciate clear and crisp winter days will all enjoy the wintertime hiking paths, cross-country ski trails certified by the German Skiing Association (DSV) and the famous view of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles from the 4km Tegelberg downhill run. The picturesque village of Schwangau, the numerous glistening frozen lakes and the DSV’s Nordic Active Centre make for tranquil family holidays with plenty of opportunity for physical activity and mental relaxation. In fact, floodlit sporting activities continue after dark thanks to snow-sure night-skiing under lights in the winter sports arena at the foot of the two castles and on the well-lit Neuschwanstein cross-country circuit, which offers breathtaking views from its snow-covered altitude of 2,000m. Visitors seeking recovery will find relaxation by simply inhaling the air (quite literally) at the local climatic health resort. They can also enjoy a complete break from the daily grind by taking advantage of extended winter walks along signposted paths, family-friendly tobogganing on three natural runs and one well-maintained family run, pristine snowshoe trails and leisurely hut-to-hut trekking.
Winter in Schwangau.
Schwangau Tourist Information: www.schwangau.de
Alpine winter in Füssen, Bavaria
Füssen in the Allgäu offers visitors alternative winter-break activities in snowy surroundings, such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, walks to feed the local wildlife (with the opportunity of seeing up to 200 free-roaming deer) and snow-shoe tours well off the beaten track.
Beginners will have no trouble getting into the swing of things with the help of the experienced guides.
From Christmas until the end of March, skiing enthusiasts, snowboarders, cross-country skiers and walkers can take ‘ski safari’ trips to the most beautiful pistes in this winter sports region, with a Füssen ski bus taking them to a different skiing area every day. A chairlift also takes alpine tobogganers to the tavern on the Buchenbergalm peak for a quick respite before they hurtle down the floodlit toboggan run, while other visitors meet up on the frozen Hopfensee lake to take part in the local game of Bavarian curling.
Information
Füssen Tourismus und Marketing
Kaiser-Maximilian-Platz 1, 87629 Füssen
Web: www.tourismus-fuessen.de