© Rainer Weisflog

Winter in Saxony

Snowball fight and snowman building

Plan your Saxony winter experience here!

Saxony is a popular German winter holiday destination, particulary for families. In the Vogtland, Ore Mountains, Saxon Switzerland, and Upper Lusatia regions four of the country’s low mountain ranges provide ideal grounds for winter sports.

Extend the season!

Numerous attractions in Saxony guarantee a festive feeling even after the holidays: the Christmas Gardens in Dresden and (for the first time!) in Leipzig, both open til mid-January as well as the State Winery Wackerbarth Castle with its "Wine & Light" and the annual special exhibition "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella" at Moritzburg Castle, both open until the end of February.

© Rainer Weisflog

Ore Mountains

Saxony's largest winter sports region

The Ore Mountains have been Saxony's alpine winter sports centre for over 100 years. In 28 resorts from Altenberg to Sosa, guests can enjoy pure winter fun with about 70 ski slopes, over 60 ski lifts, and a good 625 miles of cross-country skiing trails, plus numerous toboggan runs and ice rinks. For speedy downhill skiing try the 1,215-metre-high Fichtelberg mountain with the Oberwiesenthal resort, Germany’s highest town!

Vogtland

In the Vogtland region, Klingenthal, Erlbach, Grünbach and Schöneck are among the major winter sports resorts. The total network of trails in the Vogtland cross-country skiing areas of Klingenthal, Auerbach, Erlbach, Grünbach and Schöneck covers about 130 miles.

Between Johanngeorgenstadt and Schöneck, the 22.5-mile Kammloipe trail in the Ore Mountains/Vogtland Nature Park is one of the most beautiful cross-country skiing trails in Germany. It even carries a special "Excellent Trail" label by the German Ski Association and connecting trails cross the border over into the Czech Republic for an international cross-country skiing adventure.

In Schöneck, skiers can choose from five slopes, including easy, medium, and black runs, and with lengths of up to 820 metres, making both beginners and pros happy.

Vogtland Arena Klingenthal

The Vogtland region is home to the Vogtland Arena, one of the most modern ski jumps in Europe, which regularly hosts international competitions for the world’s top ski jumpers. On non-competition days, visitors can make their way up the ski jump to take in the views!

Zittau Mountains

In the Zittau Mountains and the Upper Lusatian Mountains, the winter sports areas of Oybin/Lückendorf, the climatic health resort of Jonsdorf, Großschönau/Walterdorf and Sohland an der Spree invite winter holiday makers. In Großschönau/Waltersdorf, the Lausche mountain offers ten slopes and around 3.5 miles of downhill skiing fun. Cross-country skiing can be enjoyed on 55 miles. Sohland an der Spree offers the longest route covering 37.5 miles. By the way, Upper Lusatia is also great for winter hikes. In Sohland an der Spree alone, hikers can choose from 62.5 miles of hiking trails. Tip: A ride on the region’s narrow-gauge railways combines winter magic and nostalgia in the most beautiful way.

Saxon Switzerland

Saxon Switzerland never goes into hibernation. Nature might well be at rest in winter, but life goes on: Some of the region’s most beautiful towns and villages invite visitors with an inspiring mix of nature experiences, wellness, and culture to enjoy a wintry time out, featuring romantic fireplace moments, moonlight, and winter hikes. Schmilka, a small neighbourhood within the town of Bad Schandau, is transformed into a winter village of its own. The Bastei bridge, Saxony Switzerland’s most popular viewpoint, attracts visitors with special winter views. Or how about a cosy cheese fondue evening at the “Papststein” mountain inn to end a winter hike? Gohrisch, Sebnitz and Neustadt offer cross-country skiing trails and ski slopes. All in all, winter in Saxon Switzerland is a dream!

Stoneman Miriquidi Snow

NEW highlight for cross-country skiing fans

If cross-country skiing is your preferred winter sport, Saxony has a very special challenge in store for your:

The "Stoneman Miriquidi Snow" adventure offers a good 81 miles of perfectly prepared cross-country skiing trails, taking you through the Ore Mountains in Saxony and over the border into the neighbouring Czech Republic. You will follow the route of the legendary Stoneman Miriquidi mountain bike tour, through snow-covered forests and magnificent winter landscapes – stunning views guaranteed!

Facts & Figures:

  • 81.25 miles

  • 4 stages

  • Differenece in altitude of 2,000 metres

© TVE

Winter sparkle in Saxony

  • Christmas Garden Dresden transforms Pillnitz Palace and Park into a magical winter wonderland between 16 November 2023 and 14 January 2024. Go on an enchanting festive journey and follow a good one-mile walkway featuring glittering illuminations. This year, a Christmas Garden also takes place in Leipzig for the first time. On the grounds of agra Park Markkleeberg, a 2 km long circular path leads along beautifully illuminated installations (Nov 21, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024).

  • The Christmas market at Moritzburg Castle takes place from 16 to 17 Dec 2023 against the castle’s breath-taking Baroque backdrop. There is also a special winter exhibition from 22 November 2023 to 25 February 2024 which recreates the magic of “Three Wishes for Cinderella”, a fairy-tale movie that is traditionally shown on German TV for Christmas and was shot at Moritzburg Castle.

  • When the days get shorter and the smell of mulled wine wafts through the vineyards of Radebeul, a very special period starts at Wackerbarth Castle. From November 2023 to the end of February 2024, the splendid wine growing estate provides a romantic and magical winter experience, with special culinary delights on offer every day and a curated cultural programme each weekend. “Wackerbarth's Winter Magic” will warm your hearts and light up the eyes of young and old. Enjoy the wine estate’s delicious mulled wine and delicacies from the castle kitchen!

  • Sonnenlandpark Lichtenau near Chemnitz is also offering something new for the season this year: "Winter magic in Sonnenlandpark". During the day, visitors can stroll through the large wildlife park with over 200 animals, while huge light attractions illuminate the park grounds from dusk (until the end of February). In addition, the artificial ice rink and indoor play area provide plenty of winter fun.

  • In the Schmilka winter village, until March 16, 2024 winter dreams come true: open fires, twinkling lights, good food, relaxing in the panorama sauna or a dip in the heated tub in the crisp winter air.

Slopes, cross-country skiing, and tobogganing runs at a glance

3,56 km

Altenberg / Hirschsprung - Cross-country ski path Hirschsprung (S6)

Altenberg

© CC-BY-ND | Egbert Kamprath, Tourist-Information Altenberg, Urlaubsregion Altenberg
3,80 km

Altenberg / Bärenfels - Cross-country ski path Spitzberg (S1)

Altenberg

© CC-BY-ND | Andreas Franke, Tourist-Information Altenberg, Urlaubsregion Altenberg
10,15 km

Cross-country skiing circular trail Kahleberg (L1)

Altenberg

© CC-BY-ND | Detlef Müller, Tourist-Information Altenberg
5,66 km

Cross-country skiing circular trail Scharspitze (L5)

Altenberg

© CC-BY-ND | Andreas Franke, Tourist-Information Altenberg
5,61 km

Altenberg / Schellerhau - circular cross-country skiing trail Pöbelknochen (L3)

Altenberg

© CC-BY-ND | Egbert Kamprath, Tourist-Information Altenberg, Urlaubsregion Altenberg

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