Winter Sports and Cross-Country Skiing in Oberhof

Oberhof is a major winter sports destination with extensive cross-country ski trails through the Thuringian Forest and is also home to a world-class indoor ski hall that offers year-round cross-country skiing and biathlon training. The area also provides opportunities for alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsleigh, and other snow-based activities.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can find there, with a special focus on cross-country skiing.

Cross-Country Skiing in Oberhof

Oberhof is a paradise for cross-country skiers. The main draw is the extensive network of trails, but its most unique feature is the ability to ski 365 days a year.

1. Indoor Year-Round Skiing (LOTTO Thüringen Skisport-HALLE)

This is the most famous facility in Oberhof and the only one of its kind in Central Europe. It’s perfect if you’re visiting in the off-season or, as of mid-November, before the natural snow has arrived.

Guaranteed Snow: Offers a 1.7-kilometer trail with varied terrain (including inclines up to 12%) 365 days a year.
Climate Controlled: The hall is kept at a constant temperature of about -4°C (25°F).
Biathlon: It’s also the world’s first indoor biathlon hall, and visitors can often book sessions to try biathlon shooting.
Services: You can rent classic and skating skis, take lessons, and get waxing services on-site.

2. Outdoor Cross-Country Skiing

During the winter season (typically starting in December), Oberhof offers an incredible outdoor experience.

Extensive Trail Network: The area features around 160 kilometers of daily-groomed trails for both classic and skating techniques.
Famous Routes: It is connected to the famous Rennsteig, Germany’s oldest long-distance hiking trail, which serves as a major ski hiking trail in winter.
Trail Variety: You can find everything from easy, short loops for beginners to challenging, long-distance routes for experts.

Other Winter Sports & Activities

Besides cross-country skiing, Oberhof is a hub for many other winter activities:

Biathlon: The LOTTO Thüringen ARENA am Rennsteig is a world-class biathlon stadium.
Alpine (Downhill) Skiing & Snowboarding: The Fallbachhang (part of the LOTTO Thüringen Snowpark) offers an 800-meter downhill slope, a chairlift, and a beginner’s area with a magic carpet.
Tobogganing & Sledding: You can enjoy the Rondell toboggan run, the longest in the Thuringian Forest, or the run at Alte Golfwiese, which features a magic carpet to take you back up.
Snowtubing: This is also available at the Alte Golfwiese.
Elite Sport-Watching: You can also visit and see the professional luge and bobsleigh track (EISARENA) and the ski jumping complex (SCHANZENANLAGE).

Current Conditions & Upcoming Events

Current (Mid-November 2025): The outdoor winter season has not yet begun. Current weather is mild with no snow, so outdoor trails and ski lifts are not operational. Your best (and only) option for skiing right now is the indoor Skisport-HALLE. The outdoor ski resort (Fallbachhang) is scheduled to open around mid-December 2025.
Major 2026 Events: Oberhof is a regular stop on the World Cup circuit. If you’re planning a trip for early 2026, you’re in luck:
- BMW IBU World Cup Biathlon: January 8–11, 2026
- AXA Winter Weeks (Jan 17–18, 2026): A massive weekend featuring three World Cups:
  - Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup
  - Viessmann FIS Nordic Combined World Cup
  - EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup