Skiing in spring weather - lifts running in the Ore Mountains

Sunny spring weather has had Saxony in its grip for days, but the ski lifts are still running in the Erzgebirge. There is still enough snow for skiing on the slopes in Oberwiesenthal, Altenberg and Eibenstock, as the operators explained when asked by dpa. Thanks to the low temperatures at night, the slopes can still be groomed.

"The conditions are fantastic, hardly anyone would believe it," enthuses Stefan Uhlmann from the Adlerfelsen ski resort in Eibenstock. He wants to keep the ski slope open until March 16. Several school classes have registered over the next few days. Some visitors make fun of the double-digit temperatures and ski in a T-shirt, he says.

Skiing on the Fichtelberg planned until the end of March

Skiers should be able to indulge in their hobby on the Fichtelberg for even longer. The aim is to offer skiing until the end of March, says René Lötzsch, head of the Fichtelberg suspension railroad, to the German Press Agency. He hopes that there will be enough snow on the Himmelsleiter run at least until then. The slopes will no longer be covered with new snow. However, fewer skiers are now flocking to the slopes than in previous weeks. The spring weather is probably luring many people into the garden or park, says Lötzsch.

As long as there are still enough skiers, the lifts in Altenberg will remain in operation, says operations manager Manuel Püschel. "The slope conditions are better than in December." It becomes difficult when rain sets in. "Then the ski season is quickly over," says Püschel.

Nostalgia ski race: Historic equipment in demand

The lift operators are satisfied with this year's season. Unlike in previous years, skiing has been possible without interruption since the opening in December, they said. They were able to compensate for the lack of natural snow with artificial snowmaking.

Fun is also on offer on the home stretch of the season: Next Saturday (March 15), Oberwiesenthal is hosting a nostalgia ski race. Between 60 and 70 racers are expected to take to the start line with historical equipment. According to the information provided, this includes wooden skis with rope or leather strap bindings, lace-up boots and ski clothing from past decades. The participants do not need a lift - they have to walk up the slope.