Winter Sports Arena Sauerland: New Offers & Sustainable Technology For 2025/26 Season
The ski resorts of the Winter Sports Arena Sauerland are preparing intensively for the upcoming winter. Investments totaling around 2 million euros in modern snowmaking and slope maintenance technology, as well as new ticket offers and an expanded sustainability concept, are the focus – while simultaneously preserving tradition and diversity.
More Efficient Snow Production
In many places, snowmaking is being further optimized – always with sustainability in mind. A modern snow cannon now produces twice as much snow with the same energy input as it did 20 years ago, and snow lances even three times as much as the models from 15 years ago. The Winterberg ski lift carousel is also relying on this development: Seven new, particularly quiet and energy-efficient snow cannons will ensure reliable snow cover on Astenstraße in the future. At the Kappe, an increased power supply improves the system's performance, while at Poppenberg, the snowmaking process is being technically optimized. Furthermore, heat recovery from the all-weather snowmaking system will be tested again this season – after the very cold early winter saw less use of the new technology and more reliance on traditional snowmaking methods. New snowmobiles, improved technology – the list goes on.
Snow cover is a topic of discussion in many places
Other areas are also investing in modern snowmaking. In Willingen, older machines at Ettelsberg and Köhlerhagen have been replaced with more energy-efficient models. Skikarussell Altastenberg and Skidorf Neuastenberg have installed several newer and more efficient snow guns, and new machines are being tested in the Bödefeld-Hunau ski area. Improvements to the water supply further increase efficiency. In addition, structural modifications have been made in the entry area there to improve snow conditions. Snowmaking has also been optimized in Olpe-Fahlenscheid.
Sustainable energy and climate-friendly slope maintenance
In addition to modern technology, the operators have been increasingly focusing on sustainable solutions for years. The largest share of CO₂ emissions in the ski resort comes not from snowmaking, but from slope maintenance. Therefore, this is a particular focus of their work. By using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) – a fuel made from waste materials from the paper industry – these emissions can be reduced by up to 90 percent.
Since last winter, all eleven snow groomers in the Winterberg ski area have been running on HVO. The newly acquired PistenBully 600 with winch will, of course, also run on HVO. Following the positive experiences in Winterberg, Willingen and the ski village of Neuastenberg are now also relying on this virtually climate-neutral, clean fuel. This HVO, produced from waste from the paper industry, is particularly sustainable, somewhat more expensive than conventional diesel, and only available in limited quantities.
On the road to climate neutrality
Through photovoltaic systems, the use of HVO in Winterberg and Willingen, and the purchase of green electricity in the four largest ski areas for many years, the winter sports arena is progressing towards its goal of continuously reducing CO₂ emissions in daily operations. The winter sports region aims to be climate-neutral by 2030.
There are also improvements in comfort and family-friendliness. At the Sahnehang family ski area, a 135-meter-long conveyor belt will make the ascent easier and safer for children.
New features in ski lodges
Many ski lodges welcome guests with small and large surprises. The Snow White House in the Winterberg ski lift carousel is getting a new outdoor terrace. In Bödefeld-Hunau, the newly founded operating association has lovingly renovated the ski lodge – with new lamps, old church pews, and a great deal of volunteer work. The Rabbit Lodge in Altastenberg has also been modernized and beautified.
New Ticket Network
In addition to the established Winter Sports Arena Card, a new alliance is being created: the SkiWelt Winterberg Ticket. Starting next season, it will connect five closely situated ski areas with a single ski pass. Guests can then flexibly switch between the areas and spend the day where they feel most comfortable. A ski bus connects Altastenberg, Winterberg, and Neuastenberg at frequent intervals. The new ticket not only opens access to more kilometers of slopes and greater variety but also draws attention to the smaller areas, which benefit from joint marketing.
Association secures future on the Hunau
Particularly welcome news comes from the Schmallenberg Sauerland region: The Bödefeld-Hunau ski area is secured for the long term. The association founded last year has taken over the lift, lodge, snowmaking equipment, and technical facilities and will continue to operate the traditional area independently. This ensures that an important component of the winter sports offerings in the region is preserved.
Moderate price increases, some price reductions
The region is consistently developing – from the large ski resorts in Winterberg and Willingen to the small family-friendly areas, whether in the Schmallenberg region, the Wittgenstein area, Lennestadt, Olpe, or extending into the Hochsauerland district. This breadth and diversity significantly shape the character of the winter sports region. The increased comfort and snow reliability naturally come at a price. Nevertheless, ticket prices have only been adjusted moderately, and in some cases even reduced. The season pass for the Winter Sports Arena Sauerland (valid in seven ski resorts) has been reduced by €60 (children's day season ticket - €75, children's combined day/evening season ticket - €75).
In light of the significantly expanded range of services, the Winterberg ski area has increased the adult day ticket price from €49 to €52, but reduced the price of a child's ticket. Children now pay only €29 instead of the previous €33. In Willingen, the price of a day ticket has increased by €3 to €43. Children pay €28. And in the smaller ski areas, winter sports enthusiasts can still ski for a whole day for around €25.
