Adventures in the cold: Germany’s diverse world of winter sports

When snow and ice transform Germany into a winter wonderland, this marks the beginning of the skiing and sledging season for many people. Winter has a lot to offer besides these classic activities, however: lesser-known sports, spectacular places and new ways of experiencing ice, snow and cold. Here are some highlights.

Snowkiting on the Wasserkuppe and in the Black Forest

Speeding across snowy highlands by kite: snowkiting is best done where the wind can be relied on. The Wasserkuppe mountain in the German state of Hesse and the higher elevations of the Black Forest are among the best-known spots for this sport. You’ll need skill and technique, a knowledge of the weather and a good sense of the ground you’re skiing across.

Plunging into cold water

What used to be viewed as an eccentric ritual has become a popular trend in Germany: more and more people in Germany are taking up winter swimming. At the North Sea and Baltic Sea, enthusiasts plunge into the waves even when water temperatures are in the single digits, while groups meet at Lake Constance, Berlin’s lakes or rivers like the Elbe or Isar for an icy dip. It’s about a sense of community, mental strength and a conscious experience of cold - not to mention the health benefits. 

Skijoring by horse or dog

In skijoring, you are pulled along on your skis - traditionally by a horse, though more commonly by a dog, and sometimes even by a motorbike. Specially designated trails can be found in Bavaria, as well as in Brandenburg for example, and races are held. This is a sport that combines endurance, coordination and teamwork between human and animal - or indeed machine. 

Airboarding in the Allgäu

Airboarding involves lying flat on your stomach on an inflatable board and whizzing down the mountain. The Allgäu region is considered to be the best place for this sport in Germany, as it has prepared runs and equipment suppliers. Riding at high speed, you steer your board with your body tension and by shifting your weight - a winter sport with a real adrenaline kick.

The classics: skiing, sledging, cross-country skiing

Be it downhill skiing in the Alps, cross-country trails in the Ore Mountains or sledging runs in the Sauerland region: classic winter sports activities remain firmly rooted in German culture. Modern infrastructure meets longstanding tradition - making winter the coolest season of the year for many people.