Ski areas in the Rhön
The Rhön ski areas are the areas of the low mountain range that have been set up for skiing .
Due to the climatic conditions, skiing as a winter sport can be practiced throughout the Rhön . In addition to the pistes, which are mainly located around Bischofsheim in the Rhön and Gersfeld, there are also cross-country trails, some of which lead along tourist places such as the Black Moor . Ski jumping can be done at the Kreuzbergschanze on the mountain of the same name.
Slopes
As mentioned above, this sports area can be found around Bischofsheim ( Kreuzberg ski area ) and Gersfeld (nearby the Wasserkuppe ski and toboggan arena ).
Bavarian side
The large areas around the Kreuzberg
On the Bavarian side, the large ski areas are mainly to be found around the Kreuzberg. This occurs mainly due to the location and the associated micro-climate.
Arnsberg
The ski area covers the northern slope of the Arnsberg and is located in the Bischofheim district of Oberweißbrunn . There are two lifts and a children's lift for small beginners. The slopes consist of four blue and two red slopes and a halfpipe is built to the left of the A II every winter . The red slope "Scheesgrüble" is approved for DSV points races and the mountain is said to have the first professional ski school in the entire Rhön.
- Arnsberglift I (length: 1200 meters, difference in altitude: 248 meters)
| Kehlwald: | Length: 1500 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Snow pit: | Length: 1400 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Riesehägle: | Length: 2200 meters, | Difficulty: easy |
- Arnsberglift II (double lift) (length: 850 meters, difference in altitude: 142 meters)
| Ziegelberg left: | Length: 950 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Ziegelberg right: | Length: 1000 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
Kreuzberg
The ski area is the largest in the Rhön and one of the most demanding due to the length and steepness of the slopes. The ski area comprises four lifts, one of which is 1408 meters long and is the longest in the Rhön. The slopes of the ski lifts range in length from 250 to 3000 meters and cover a total of around 15 kilometers of slopes.
- Dreitannenlift (length: 1408 meters, difference in altitude: 318 meters)
| Fish farming: | Length: 1700 meters, | Difficulty: medium to difficult |
| Wieslich: | Length: 1460 meters, | Difficulty: hard |
| Cannon barrel and Käuling: | Length: 1800 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Big family run: | Length: 2600 meters, | Difficulty: easy |
| Steep cougar: | Length: 3000 meters, | Difficulty: medium to difficult |
- Blicklift (length: 540 meters, difference in altitude: 110 meters)
| View of the Haflinger Alm: | Length: 620 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| View II: | Length: 630 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| View family run: | Length: 940 meters, | Difficulty: easy |
- Rothang lift (length: 470 meters, difference in altitude: 100 meters)
| Rothang I: | Length: 580 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Rothang II: | Length: 580 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Rothang family run: | Length: 890 meters, | Difficulty: easy |
Fire mountain
The lifts can be found in Sandberg / Langenleiten in the direction of Wildflecken on the northern slope of the mountain of the same name . Even if a little out of the way, this was a popular mountain for professionals from the area. The slopes are very reminiscent of alpine slopes, which is particularly popular with passionate alpine skiers. The mountain is the only mountain in the Rhön with a chair lift . There is also a drag lift of the same length and one that starts halfway up, as well as a practice lift. The plants have been shut down since 2016 due to a lack of profitability.
- Chair lift (length: 900 meters, height difference: 250 meters)
| Main departure: | Length: 1500 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
The small
In addition to the large ones, there are also smaller ski areas with only a few lifts but often only short waiting times.
Ilmenberg
The ski lift was located at the Thüringer Hütte at 720 to 785 meters near the Ostheim district of Urspringen and, unlike the others, was very remote. Like most of the lifts in the Rhön, it was north-facing. Families and beginners in particular used the lift. The lift served four runs from easy to moderate. In addition to the Rothang lift on Kreuzberg, the facility was the only one on the Bavarian side to have floodlights . The last season at the Ilmenbergift took place in 2015/16. The plant was taken out of service after 45 years.
Farnsberg
There were two lifts on the Farnsberg. Despite its exposed location, the area was particularly interesting for those living in the Sinntal valley because of its proximity. A loop lift was located above the Berghaus Rhön in the summit area of the Farnsberg, the second loop lift was at the Erlenbrunnen. Both ski lifts served easy runs that were suitable for beginners. Both ski lifts have since been closed.
Sweden Wall
On the so-called Schwedenwall, from Bischofsheim towards Rotes Moor , there is still a drag lift that is privately operated in winter.
Hessian side
Simmelsberg
The slopes of the Simmelsberg are located in the Gersfeld district of Rodenbach near the Bavarian border. As one of four lifts, it is only operated by associations. The downhill run is the steepest route in Germany north of the Alps and therefore steeper than a World Cup run. Towards the Schwedenschanze, southwest side, there is a ski lift that was newly built in 2007 and is operated by SC Fulda .
- Simmelsberg T-bar lift (length: 600 meters, height difference: 175 meters)
| Racetrack: | Length: 1100 meters, | Difficulty: very difficult |
| Forest run: | Length: 1400 meters, | Difficulty: medium to difficult |
| Slalom slope: | Length: 1400 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Family run: | Length: 1600 meters, | Difficulty: easy |
Around the Wasserkuppe
The area around the Wasserkuppe includes most of the Rhön lifts. You can also ski here for a long time thanks to the floodlights (until 10:00 p.m.).
Wasserkuppe
- Rhönlift Abtsroda (length: 750 meters, difference in altitude: 180 meters)
| Racetrack: | Length: 900 meters, | Difficulty: hard |
| Family run: | Length: 1200 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
Sugar field
The slopes on the Zuckerfeld are one of the few with a southern exposure. There is also a floodlight system and the largest snowboard fun park in the Rhön.
- Zuckerfeld (length: 540 meters, difference in altitude: 60 meters)
| Departure 1: | Length: 600 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Departure 2: | Length: 700 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Departure 3: | Length: 800 meters, | Difficulty: medium |
| Departure 4: | Length: 1000 meters, | Difficulty: easy |
Kesselrain
On the north side of the Heidelstein, on the Kesselrain, there are two loop lifts one behind the other, which are operated by an association. They are close to the Bavarian border.
Ski lifts
| Ski area / (mountain) | country |
Ski lift | Association / operator | Type of lift |
construction year |
Length (m) |
HU (m) |
Valley (noun) |
Mountain (noun) |
Hillside location |
flood light |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnsberg |
.svg){kind=small} BY
|
Arnsberg lift 1 | Ski lifts on the Arnsberg | T-bar lift | 1966 | 1200 | 248 | 595 | 843 | N | No |
| Arnsberg |
BY
|
Arnsberg lift 2 (left) | Ski lifts on the Arnsberg | T-bar lift | 1972 | 850 | 142 | 698 | 840 | NO | No |
| Arnsberg |
BY
|
Arnsberg lift 2 (right) | Ski lifts on the Arnsberg | T-bar lift | 1972 | 850 | 142 | 698 | 840 | NO | No |
| Arnsberg |
BY
|
Children's lift | Ski lifts on the Arnsberg | Circular hoist | - | 70 | 10 | 595 | 605 | N | No |
| Book screen |
 HE
|
Book umbrella lift | - | Button lift | - | 250 | 45 | 545 | 590 | NW | No |
| Elbow ski and toboggan park |
 TH
|
Snow tubing facility | - | Circular hoist | - | 290 | 20th | 780 | 800 | NO | No |
| Farnsberg |
BY
|
Farnsberg lift | Reinhard Gros | Circular hoist | - | 240 | 35 | 715 | 750 | NW | No |
| Farnsberg |
BY
|
Erlenbrunnen ski lift | Horst Becker | Circular hoist | 1971 | 230 | 45 | 525 | 570 | N | No |
| Kesselrain ( Heidelstein ) |
HE
|
Heidelstein ski lift | TSV Ski Club Ehrenberg | Circular hoist | - | 210 | 45 | 805 | 850 | N | No |
| Kesselrain ( Heidelstein ) |
HE
|
Heidelstein ski lift | TSV Ski Club Ehrenberg | Circular hoist | - | 90 | 10 | 800 | 810 | N | No |
| High Geba |
TH
|
Träbes drag lift | FVV Geba e. V. | Circular hoist | - | 270 | 70 | 650 | 720 | O | No |
| Sweden Wall ( High Hell ) |
BY
|
Schwedenwall ski lift | WSC private lift | T-bar lift | 1965 | 220 | 53 | 775 | 830 | NO | No |
| Ilmenberg |
BY
|
Ilmenberg lift | Schleicher family | T-bar lift | 1971 | 340 | 65 | 720 | 785 | NO | Yes |
| Kreuzberg |
BY
|
Eye lift | Kreuzberg ski lifts | T-bar lift | 1958 | 540 | 110 | 780 | 890 | N | No |
| Kreuzberg |
BY
|
Rothang lift | Kreuzberg ski lifts | T-bar lift | 1963 | 470 | 100 | 775 | 875 | NW | Yes |
| Kreuzberg |
BY
|
Dreitannenlift | Kreuzberg ski lifts | T-bar lift | 1964 | 1408 | 315 | 575 | 890 | NO | No |
| Kreuzberg |
BY
|
Fish farm lift | family business | Circular hoist | 1970 | 190 | 40 | 600 | 640 | NO | No |
| Simmelsberg |
HE
|
Simmelsberg drag lift | Hanau Ski Club | T-bar lift | 1965 | 600 | 175 | 668 | 843 | NO | No |
| Simmelsberg |
HE
|
Eberhard Rother practice lift | Hanau Ski Club | Circular hoist | 2008 | 100 | 15th | 675 | 690 | NO | No |
| Simmelsberg |
HE
|
Rothenbergen button lift | Ski community-Kinzigtal | Button lift | 1968 | 450 | 85 | 695 | 780 | NO | No |
| Simmelsberg |
HE
|
T-bar lift | “Rhön” ski club in Fulda | Button lift | 2007 | 454 | 84 | 725 | 810 | SW | Yes |
| Simmelsberg |
HE
|
Children's lift | “Rhön” ski club in Fulda | Rope lift | 1993 | 40 | 10 | 760 | 770 | SW | No |
| Wasserkuppe |
HE
|
Panoramic lift | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | T-bar lift | 1963 | 516 | 115 | 805 | 920 | NO | Yes |
| Wasserkuppe |
HE
|
Märchenwiesenlift | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | T-bar lift | 1969 | 613 | 110 | 820 | 930 | NO | Yes |
| Wasserkuppe |
HE
|
Paradis lift | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | T-bar lift | 1971 | 570 | 90 | 830 | 920 | NO | Yes |
| Wasserkuppe |
HE
|
WieLi sledge lift | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | Toboggan lift | 2006 | 550 | - | - | - | NO | No |
| Wasserkuppe |
HE
|
"Magic Carpet" | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | Conveyor belt | 2006 | 100 | - | - | - | NO | No |
| Wasserkuppe (Abtsroda) |
HE
|
Rhön lift | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | T-bar lift | 1972 | 750 | 180 | 720 | 900 | NW | No |
| Wasserkuppe |
HE
|
Abtsrodalift connecting lift | Josef Wiegand ski lift operation | Circular hoist | 2005 | - | - | - | - | N | No |
| Sugar field ( Wasserkuppe ) |
HE
|
Spielberg ski lift | Eiterfeld Ski Club 1980 | T-bar lift | 1954 | 250 | 50 | 695 | 745 | SO | No |
| Sugar field ( Wasserkuppe ) |
HE
|
Zuckerfeld ski lift | Jörges & Schneemann GbR | T-bar lift | 1970 | 540 | 90 | 715 | 805 | SO | Yes |
Disused ski lifts
| Mountain / ski area | country |
Ski lift | Association / operator | Type of lift |
construction year |
Length (m) |
HU (m) |
Valley (noun) |
Mountain (noun) |
Hillside location |
flood light |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eube |
HE
|
"Guckaisee" ski lift | Closed since 1992 | T-bar lift | 1968 | 500 | 110 | 700 | 810 | N | No |
| Fire mountain |
BY
|
Osthanglift | Decommissioned, dismantled | - | - | 170 | 10 | 810 | 820 | O | No |
| Fire mountain |
BY
|
Chairlift | Shut down in 2016 | Chairlift | 1967 | 900 | 250 | 580 | 830 | NO | No |
| Fire mountain |
BY
|
Kreuzhang lift | Shut down in 2016 | T-bar lift | 1969 | 470 | 100 | 730 | 830 | NO | No |
| Fire mountain |
BY
|
Root well linft | Shut down in 2016 | T-bar lift | 1981 | 900 | 225 | 590 | 815 | NO | No |
| Fire mountain |
BY
|
Valley lift | Shut down in 2016 | Circular hoist | - | 90 | 20th | 590 | 610 | NO | No |
| Kreuzberg |
BY
|
Monastery lift | Decommissioned, dismantled | - | - | 230 | 25th | 830 | 855 | NW | No |
| Romerserberg |
HE
|
Kippelbach ski lift | Decommissioned since around 2002, dismantled | T-bar lift | 1989 | 804 | 160 | 695 | 855 | N | No |
| Romerserberg |
HE
|
Kippelbach 2 ski lift? | Decommissioned, dismantled | - | - | 310 | 65 | 705 | 770 | N | No |
| Simmelsberg |
HE
|
T-bar lift | Replaced, dismantled, now SC Hanau | Circular hoist | 1970 | 350 | 60 | 730 | 790 | SW | No |