Winter Holidays in Altenberg: Skiing, Cross-Country Trails, Bobsleigh and Sledging in the Eastern Ore Mountains
A floodlit ski slope, around 80 kilometres of cross-country trails, a World Cup ice track and sledging hills for children: in Altenberg, most of what makes a good winter day is only minutes apart.
When the first snow settles on the Eastern Ore Mountains (Osterzgebirge), Altenberg changes noticeably. Floodlights come on at the ski slope in the evening, cross-country trails are groomed on the heights around Zinnwald and Schellerhau, and bobsleigh and luge teams train for the World Cup in the Kohlgrund valley. Here is what to expect from a winter holiday in Altenberg – based on official sources, plus a few notes from our everyday life as hosts.
Why Altenberg in winter?
Altenberg sits about 40 kilometres south of Dresden on the crest of the Eastern Ore Mountains, just a few kilometres from the Czech border. The railway station is at just over 750 metres, the ski slope reaches roughly 850 metres, and at 905 metres the Kahleberg is the highest mountain in the Saxon part of the range. This altitude is why Altenberg has been known as a winter sports resort for decades.
That said, snow is never guaranteed. Some winters bring weeks of continuous snow cover; in others, snow and thaw alternate. Helpfully, the Altenberg ski slope has snowmaking, and the ice track, the indoor ice rink and the winter walking routes all work even when the cross-country trails are not groomed.
Downhill skiing: three ski areas in the region
Altenberg is not an Alpine resort with long descents. It is a place for relaxed ski days, children and beginners. The Altenberg tourist information lists three ski areas with easy to intermediate runs.
Altenberg ski slope at Raupennest
The slope is at Raupennest, on the southern edge of town. A double T-bar lift about 500 metres long takes you up to around 850 metres, and there is also a platter lift and a magic carpet for the youngest skiers. In total there are about 1.4 kilometres of runs. Two things make the slope especially practical: a powerful snowmaking system provides a base even when natural snow is scarce, and floodlights allow skiing well into the evening. Ski hire, a ski school and a sledging hill are right by the lift. The slope is run by Erlebnisberg Altenberg, where you will also find current opening hours and prices.
Schellerhau: Rotterhang
In Schellerhau, a district of Altenberg, the small Rotterhang lift is designed for families and beginners and is also lit in the evening. Ski hire and a ski school are available in the village.
Rehefeld-Zaunhaus: Winterwelt Rehefeld
Winterwelt Rehefeld has the most extensive slopes in the area. A double chairlift goes up the Hemmschuh, from where the Sachsenabfahrt (about 800 metres) and the Fleischerhang (about 1,200 metres) lead back down. Beginners have a T-bar with roughly 400 metres of piste at the Friedhofshang. There is also a natural toboggan run, snow tubing and sledge hire at the valley station. Whether and when the area opens in the coming season is best checked via the Winterwelt snow phone (+49 35057 51274).
One note if you are using an older guidebook: the lift on the former ski slope "An der Wache" in Geising has not run since 2024. For downhill skiing, the options are Altenberg, Schellerhau and Rehefeld.
Cross-country skiing: around 80 kilometres of trails
For many guests, cross-country skiing is the real reason for a winter break in Altenberg. The holiday region counts around 80 kilometres of groomed trails and ski-hiking routes, some prepared for both classic and skating technique. The network links Altenberg with Zinnwald, Schellerhau, Geising and Rehefeld and reaches the Czech border.
The cross-country page of the tourist information describes seven loop trails:
- L1 Kahleberg (Altenberg/Zinnwald) – the well-known loop across the plateau by the Kahleberg
- L2 Osterzgebirge and L3 Pöbelknochen (Altenberg/Schellerhau)
- L4 Wüster Teich (Altenberg/Rehefeld)
- L5 Scharspitze (Altenberg/Geising) – a shorter loop of just under 6 kilometres
- L6 Stadt-Loipe – a short circuit in town
- L7 Kammloipe Schellerhau
On top of that there are nine ski-hiking routes (S1 to S9), for example to the Spitzberg, the Tellkoppe or Oberbärenburg, including a dedicated children's route near Fürstenau. Recommended starting points include the central trail car park in Zinnwald (P1), the car park at the Altenberg campsite (P4) and the Botanical Garden in Schellerhau (P9).
To see how well the trails are groomed, check the tourist information's daily "Tages-News" (in German). In winter they include trail and slope reports, snow conditions and lift opening times. For a quick look at conditions on the ground, the regional webcams are linked on altenberg.de as well.
Altenberg ice track: watch the World Cup, or ride a bob yourself
In the Kohlgrund valley between Altenberg and Oberbärenburg lies the SachsenEnergie-Eiskanal, regarded as one of the most demanding artificial ice tracks in the world. It is 1,413 metres long and, weather permitting, operates from about mid-October to mid-March. If you want a close look at the track outside race days, the easiest way is a guided track tour (see below).
World Cup dates 2026/27
The track operator has announced these major races for winter 2026/27 (dates on wia-altenberg.de):
- 23–29 November 2026: IBSF Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup
- 7–11 December 2026: Bobsleigh European Cup
- 11–17 January 2027: Luge World Cup
- 20–24 January 2027: Junior World Championships Skeleton
Race days draw big crowds. If you want to watch, plan your accommodation and travel early.
Guest bob, ice tubing and track tours
If you want to experience it first-hand, you can ride in the guest bob from November to February: a four-man bob steered by an experienced pilot, starting from the junior start. Riders must be at least 16 (under 18 only with a parent or guardian), and there is a weight limit and health requirements. Slightly less intense but still impressive is ice tubing, where you slide down the ice channel on inflatable rings. The operator also runs guided track tours, including a version for children. All of these are popular and should be booked in advance.
Biathlon and ice skating
Biathlon has a long tradition in the Eastern Ore Mountains. Competitions are held at the Biathlon Sparkassen-Arena Altenberg, and on certain dates the holiday region offers guest biathlon events where you can try shooting and skiing yourself. Ask the tourist information at Altenberg station for dates.
For ice skating, head to Geising, another district of Altenberg: the Gründelstadion indoor ice rink offers public skating as well as curling and ice stock sport (Eisstockschießen). Because it is indoors, it is a good option during a thaw or on a rainy day. Current skating times are published by the rink on sport-altenberg.de.
Sledging: from the hill by the lift to a natural toboggan run
Sledging is the simplest winter pleasure in Altenberg – grab a sledge and go. There is a dedicated sledging hill right by the Altenberg ski slope. For longer runs, Winterwelt Rehefeld has a natural toboggan run of about 1,100 metres, with sledges for hire at the valley station. Families will also find smaller slopes in almost every village. Please do not sledge on ski runs or cross-country trails – it is safer for everyone.
Winter walks and snowshoe tours
The winter is lovely here even without skis. The tourist information describes a number of winter walks, for example up the Kahleberg, to the Scharspitze, to the Geisingberg, around the Großer Galgenteich lake, or a family-friendly route to the Tellkoppe. If you would rather not go alone, the holiday region's programme includes guided winter walks and guided snowshoe hikes.
The Geisingberg, at around 820 metres, is a good goal: on a clear day the view stretches far across the snowy Eastern Ore Mountains. Many paths you may know from summer are walkable in winter too, just slower. Allow extra time, wear sturdy boots and remember that it gets dark early. For detailed routes with distances and walking times, see our article on hiking around Altenberg.
Winter activities at a glance
| Activity | Where | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downhill skiing | Altenberg ski slope (Raupennest) | Families, beginners, evening skiers | Floodlights and snowmaking |
| Downhill skiing | Winterwelt Rehefeld | Intermediate skiers, families | Double chairlift, longest runs in the area |
| Cross-country skiing | Loops L1–L7, ski-hiking routes S1–S9 | All levels | Conditions in the Tages-News |
| Guest bob, ice tubing | SachsenEnergie-Eiskanal | Guests aged 16+ (guest bob) | November to February, book ahead |
| Ice skating | Gründelstadion indoor rink, Geising | Families | Indoors, fixed session times |
| Sledging | Hill at the Altenberg ski lift, natural toboggan run in Rehefeld | Children and families | Sledge hire in Rehefeld |
| Winter walking | Kahleberg, Geisingberg, Galgenteiche | Everyone | Possible even with little snow |
Advent and Christmas markets in the Eastern Ore Mountains
Advent has a special atmosphere in the Ore Mountains: candle arches (Schwibbögen) in the windows, Christmas pyramids and incense smokers are simply part of the season here. The Christmas markets around Altenberg are small and cosy. Altenberg itself holds a Christmas market around the station square. In 2026 Kipsdorf station is part of "Bimmelbahn & Lichterglanz", the Advent market along the Weißeritztalbahn steam railway on the first weekend of Advent (28/29 November). In Dippoldiswalde, the "Dippser Weihnacht" fills the market square on the third weekend of Advent, with a historical market on the church square. Exact dates for 2026 are usually published by the towns in the autumn; what is already confirmed is in our overview of Christmas markets in the Eastern Ore Mountains.
What people eat at this time of year – from Stollen to the nine-dish "Neunerlei" on Christmas Eve – is covered in our article on Ore Mountains cuisine.
Getting there in winter
Altenberg is easy to reach by train. The Müglitztal railway (RB 72) runs from Heidenau, where the S-Bahn from Dresden stops, up to Kurort Altenberg. On weekends and public holidays the RE 19 also runs direct from Dresden Hauptbahnhof. In addition, the PlusBus 360 connects Dresden with Altenberg via Dippoldiswalde. Current timetables and notices about engineering works are available in the Deutsche Bahn journey planner.
By car, the B 170 runs from Dresden via Dippoldiswalde to Altenberg. In Germany, winter tyres are mandatory in snow and icy conditions, and up on the ridge it can be far more wintry than in Dresden. There are signposted car parks for trails and walks; on fine weekends and during World Cup races they fill up early.
Staying in the winter sports town of Altenberg
If you want to use the ski slope, trails and ice track, it is best to stay right in town. Our rooms in Altenberg are at Dresdner Straße 10: eight rooms, each with its own bathroom and toilet, seven for up to two guests and one for up to three, from €70 per night. The ski slope is about a six-minute walk away, the station about ten minutes.
Families who need more space and their own kitchen will find room for up to four or five guests (depending on the apartment) in our apartments in Dippoldiswalde, also from €70 per night. From there, Altenberg is around half an hour by car, or reachable without a car on the PlusBus 360.
You will find more ideas for your days in the Eastern Ore Mountains in our regional guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go skiing in Altenberg?
Yes. The Altenberg holiday region has three ski areas: the Altenberg ski slope at Raupennest with floodlights and snowmaking, the Rotterhang in Schellerhau, and Winterwelt Rehefeld with a double chairlift. The runs are easy to intermediate and well suited to families and beginners.
How many kilometres of cross-country trails are there around Altenberg?
The Altenberg tourist information lists around 80 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails and ski-hiking routes, including seven loops (L1 to L7) for classic and skating technique. Current trail conditions are published in the daily 'Tages-News' on altenberg.de.
Can visitors ride a bobsleigh in Altenberg?
Yes. From November to February the track operator offers guest rides in a four-man bob steered by an experienced pilot, starting from the junior start. Minimum age is 16 (under 18 only with a parent or guardian), and advance booking is required.
When are the World Cup races in Altenberg in winter 2026/27?
According to the track operator, the IBSF Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Cup runs from 23 to 29 November 2026 and the Luge World Cup from 11 to 17 January 2027. Tickets and schedules are on wia-altenberg.de.
How do you get to Altenberg in winter without a car?
Take the Müglitztal railway (RB 72) from Heidenau, which is on the S-Bahn line from Dresden; on weekends and public holidays the RE 19 also runs direct from Dresden Hauptbahnhof. The PlusBus 360 connects Dresden with Altenberg via Dippoldiswalde.
