Sauerland Winter Sports Arena: Slightly Below-Average Season

The winter sports arena Sauerland has come through another challenging winter. With an average of 60 to 70 seasonal days in the alpine ski areas and an average of 25 days of natural snow in the cross-country ski areas, the season was slightly below the average of previous years. The total number of skiers, cross-country skiers, winter hikers and visitors to the numerous events is around 600,000. Some lifts are supposed to run until the end of the Easter holidays.

alpine

Three long cold periods made energy-efficient snow production possible. But the mild phase around the turn of the year reduced the balance considerably. By the end of the Easter holidays (April 15), the Winterberg ski lift carousel will have 136 seasonal days. However, this value is not representative. The snow-covered ski areas were open on average for 60 to 70 days. The natural snow ski areas had five to 20 seasonal days. 60 percent of the seasonal days were due to technical snowmaking.

The current season is thus above the value of the previous year, but compared to the past twelve years it is a little below average. However, seasonal days are hardly indicative of economic success. In connection with the number of visitors, however, the number of running lifts provides information about the success. More than 60 lifts were already running in mid-December. The second half of January delivered the highest values ​​with up to 92 turbines. On average, more than 37 lifts ran per day in the core period from December to March. This means that the current season is better than last year. (Here we have to agree whether we want to work with this value in order to take the focus away from the purely seasonal days)

Nordic

The past winter was quite poor in natural snow. Cross-country skiers found 34 days of groomed trails. On average, the cross-country skiing clubs in the high altitudes had 25 season days. This was a similar offer as in the previous year. On average, however, the picture for natural snow trails over the past twelve years has been below average. With almost 170 kilometers, the range of cross-country trails reached its peak on January 23rd. It was almost exclusively possible to groom at high altitudes.

With three long periods of cold weather, the past season offered the Westfeld cross-country skiing center good opportunities for snow production. Westfeld is the only cross-country skiing center in the region that is also used by tourists. With technical support, the operators there have 60 seasonal days.

winter hiking

Snowfall and an existing blanket of snow or hoarfrost caused a spontaneous increase in hikers in the region, who not only came as day visitors, but often also treated themselves to a short break with an overnight stay. The landscape was snow-covered at altitudes above 700 meters for 72 days. This value is below the long-term mean. Not just hiking in general, but also snowshoeing in particular, was very much in demand on days when there was enough snow ahead.

However, hiking in winter can now also be used as a tourist activity without snow, not only in sunshine and dry weather, but also in rain and wind. So-called wild weather hiking is becoming more and more accepted. More and more people are equipping themselves with high-quality, well-protecting outdoor clothing that makes spending time in nature pleasant, even in this weather. In addition, the awareness of the health-promoting effect has increased. Positive for the tourist destinations: the increased acceptance cushions the weather-related fluctuations in demand somewhat. In connection with pleasure offers such as sauna, open fire and good, healthy food, attractive holiday offers result.

Weather

The winter started promisingly. In the first half of December, a period of extremely cold temperatures made effective snow production possible. Against the background of energy shortages and high energy prices, this came at just the right time. Because the lower the temperature, the less energy is required for the amount of snow produced. There was such a heavy snow cover on the snow-covered slopes that there was legitimate hope of being able to cope with the majority of the season. The turn of the year threw a spanner in the works. Mild temperatures, but above all heavy precipitation and storms, caused the snow reserves to dwindle. At the beginning of January there was only a limited offer of six lifts. However, this secured the winter sports offer in the important first high season, the Christmas holidays.

The next phase began in mid-January, making basic snowmaking possible again. The cold reached into the valleys. The turn of the month introduced the best winter sports conditions of the season - a good basis for the second high season, the German carnival, the Lower Saxony certificate holiday and the Dutch crocus holiday.

With around 1.5 degrees below the 30-year average, the past winter was too mild. At 40, the number of ice days was below the long-term average, as was the maximum snow depth. It was 52 centimeters, but only for a few hours on one day. The time was clearly too short with at least 20 centimeters of natural snow depth. This value, which is necessary to be able to prepare good slopes and cross-country ski runs, was only reached on 27 days. The post-season on March 7th and 8th brought the largest amount of fresh snow with 25 centimeters, but only for a short time.

Events

For the first time after a two-year break, the World Cups at the Winterberg bobsleigh run and the Ski Jumping World Cup in Willingen could again take place with spectators. This brought additional day and overnight guests to the region. The snowboard world cup on December 10th and 11th at Poppenberg in Winterberg took place for the first time at the beginning of the season. Winterberg stepped in for Livigno and showed that winter in the low mountain range is easy to plan. In the best winter weather, the cameras captured the most beautiful winter pictures and sent them out into the world.

energy and climate

Especially at the beginning of the past season, the energy issue dominated the public discussion. The uncertain price situation also caused great concern for the lift operators. In the end it was much less bad than feared, but still unsatisfactory. The conditions of the energy price brake hardly bring any relief for the lift operators, as they relate to the Corona year with the lockdown. For the small and medium-sized ski areas, the situation was unsatisfactory for another reason: they were offered contracts at comparatively high fixed prices, and there was no alternative for them. Only the very largest pantographs had to accept purchases on flexible terms. The latter proved to be the cheaper option over the course of the season after the market situation had calmed down.