Erzgebirge: A Winter Photo Guide to Oberwiesenthal, Germany’s Highest Town

At 914 meters above sea level, the town of Oberwiesenthal in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) boats the title of Germany’s highest town and with that comes great skiing and views of rolling hills for miles around.

The area of Oberwiesenthal is a downhill and cross country skiing mecca of eastern Germany, and has been for decades. The region offers kilometers of cross-country runs as well as world class alpine and a brand new Snowpark Oberwiesenthal for the adventurous types.

Oberwiesenthal is also an Olympic Training area of Germany and had produced some amazing athletes including Jens Weißflog and Ulrich Wehling. There is also a training school for alpine sport initiatives in the town developing young athletes into professionals.

Oberwiesenthal in general offers an array of fun and family friendly winter activities including downhill skiing, equipment rentals, cross country skiing, biathlon, horse drawn sleigh tours, sledding, or ice tubing!!

It’s a winter wonderland and especially magical over Christmas and the New Year.

Learn more about Oberwiesenthal by visiting their website and or tourist information centre:
Karlsbader Straße 3, Oberwiesenthal, Sachsen, Germany

Erzgebirge: A Guide to the Altenberg Eis Kanal Bobsleigh and Luge Track

For an up close and personal opportunity to see an Olympic Sport facility, the Altenberg Eis Kanal is the place to be.

Germany continues to be a leading force in the discipline of bob sledding and luge, and in Altenberg, the Eis Kanal is a locally famous bob and skeleton training track. When you see the speed and design of this facility in action you will begin to understand why.

The well maintained track is as much a training facility as it is a competition ground. Just last week the Altenberg Eis Kanal hosted a final World Junior Luge Circuit competition (drawing teams and spectators from all over the world) and has a regular schedule of events on it’s website linked above.

Visitors to the track can enter for free anytime except during scheduled competitive events. Opening hours and further information can be found online or via their Eis Kanal Facebook Page, or of course can be found at the visitor centre:

Neuer Kohlgrundweg 1, 01773 Altenberg Tel. +49 (0) 305-622-660

For those of you who are interested in seeing true professionals in action: In 2020 the Bob & Skeleton World Championship will be taking place in Altenberg!!

Travel photos shared by Greg for Travel Dudes.

Author

  • Travel Dudes

    I'm sure you've had similar experiences I had whilst traveling. You're in a certain place and a fellow traveler, or a local, tip you off on a little-known beach, bar or accommodation. Great travel tips from other travelers or locals always add something special to our travels. That was the inspiration for Travel Dudes.