Winterberg and Hallenberg Holiday Region: Winter is so Beautiful Here

From December to March, winter has a firm grip on the Winterberg and Hallenberg region in the Sauerland in the west of Germany. But that’s no problem. On the contrary! This is when the region shows itself at its most beautiful. Here you can find out what you can experience in Winterberg in winter 2025/2026.

Village Romance with Winter Magic

Winter always means Christmas markets – at least for a while. Winterberg is no exception. From December 12, 2025, to January 6, 2026, the town center is transformed into a wonderfully contemplative winter village. Hot steaming mulled wine, beautifully decorated Christmas huts, and finely crafted handicrafts enchant visitors.

One highlight is the official opening on December 13 by the mayor, who ceremoniously taps the keg. After all, the Sauerland is still a beer region. And while winter markets elsewhere close their doors after January, Winterberg keeps going. After a break, the winter village reopens in the spring, from February 12 to March 1, 2026.

👉 Click here to visit the Winter Village website.

On a snow-covered market square, surrounded by illuminated half-timbered houses, many people are out and about at a Christmas market. It is already dusk in the sky. — Image: wtw

World-Class Winter Sports

Winterberg is – as the name suggests – a winter sports region. The town even has its own ice arena: since 1977, Winterberg has been home to an artificial ice track for bobsleighing, which was the second of its kind in Germany when it opened.

And even today, the track is still in full swing. From January 2 to 4, 2026, the “IBSF Bob & Skeleton World Cup” will take place here. With athletes from all over the world competing against each other in the heart of the Sauerland region. And on March 21 and 22, Winterberg will host the season finale of the “VISA FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup,” when daring boarders will master the Poppenberg slope.

A woman in colorful winter sports clothing, wearing a helmet and goggles, slaloms between several flags on a snowboard. The flags feature advertising prints and the word “Winterberg.” — Image: Stephan Peters

Legendary Ski Resorts

Skiing in general! Even away from professional sports, the Winterberg region with Hallenberg is a first-class destination for winter sports. The region’s ski resorts are located around Winterberg and have joined forces to form the “Skiliftkarussell Winterberg” (Winterberg ski lift carousel), which offers a uniform tariff area. Thanks to this diversity, a trip to the Sauerland is worthwhile for families and beginners as well as for hardened piste hunters.

The slopes are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and are illuminated by floodlights in the evening. And the free ski bus ensures that winter sports fans arriving by car don’t have to struggle to get to the town center, but can park conveniently outside. Great!

Two people are skiing down a slope. To their left is a ski lift, and to their right, in the background, on the other side of the valley, is a small village. — Image: Stephan Peters

The Rothaarsteig – a Highlight Hike in Winter

Tobogganing and Hiking

And don’t worry: if you don’t feel like putting skis on your feet, you can simply grab a sled. Numerous opportunities for fun tobogganing ensure that families and winter enthusiasts who are not quite so sporty can slide down the slopes in high spirits. And if that’s a little too fast, the region around the Kahler Asten still boasts an extensive network of hiking trails. Which are also great in winter. At the latest when guests trudge through the snow-covered high moor, a wonderful inner winter peace descends, as only the Sauerland can convey.

👉 Click here to visit the website of the Winterberg region with Hallenberg.