Wintercamping in the Bavarian Forest

The Bavarian Forest in south-east Germany is worth a visit at any time of year. The campsites are particularly tranquil in winter, when snow covers the rolling hills. Active holidaymakers make the most of the perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding on the Arber, Lusen or in one of the other family-friendly ski resorts. The region also has plenty to offer cross-country skiers and tobogganists.

Top tips

• An insider tip for families is a visit to St Nicholas at the Bavarian Forest Animal Park in Lohberg. The romantic Christmas market around the Haus am Elchsee opens in the morning. Here, visitors can buy detailed handicrafts made by regional artists. The highlight for the youngest guests is the arrival of St Nicholas in the afternoon. After a joint feeding tour of the zoo, he hands out small gifts to the children.
• Thanks to its altitude of almost 1,500 metres, the Arber has perfect piste conditions. An insider tip for families are the Thurnhof lifts and the Sonnenhang, where there are particularly flat runs. Even the youngest children feel at home in ArBär-Zwergenland.
• For fans of the sport of biathlon, a trip to the Hohenzollern ski stadium is well worthwhile. Amateurs also have the opportunity to try out the sport here.

Activities and excursions

The multi-faceted ski slopes in the Bavarian Forest offer marvellous conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. Away from the pistes, huts, cross-country ski trails and toboggan runs beckon.

Skiing fun for beginners and experts

Numerous ski resorts attract active people to winter camping in the Bavarian Forest. The most extensive of these can be found on the Großer Arber with 15 kilometres of pistes at all levels of difficulty. The choice ranges from a challenging FIS World Cup course to wide pistes for family descents and a 5 km descent from the summit to Bodenmais. Freestylers are drawn to the fun parks. The family cross fun park on the Thurnhofhang is the perfect place for beginners who want to practise on easy obstacles. With an average snow depth of 75 centimetres on the mountain and 73 centimetres in the valley, the Arber is one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in the whole of Germany. With 13 ski lifts, Sankt Englmar to the north of Deggendorf is also a centre of attraction for winter sports enthusiasts.

Winter fun away from the slopes

Sankt Englmar also has a lot to offer away from the pistes: 105 km of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails lead through dense forests and across snow-covered meadows. For beginners, for example, the 6 km long Tannenbaum trail on flat terrain is perfect. The Waldwipfelpfad in Sankt Englmar is also a popular excursion destination during the cold season. Visitors can stroll along wooden walkways at heights of up to 30 m above the dense snow-covered forests. The village also boasts a wide variety of winter hiking trails, such as the 9 km tour to Grün, which leads past the romantic Leonhardi Chapel. Families are drawn to the winter campsite in the Bavarian Forest for tobogganing in the magnificent mountains. On the Lusen, for example, there is a long route from Waldhäuser along the winter trail down into the valley, where active holidaymakers can stop off at one of the rustic huts to recharge their batteries with hearty cheese spaetzle, hearty roast pork or fluffy Kaiserschmarrn pancakes. In many winter sports resorts, the day ends in one of the après-ski bars.

Events

Rousing festivals, classical concerts and other events delight holidaymakers in the Bavarian Forest.

January

• Roding New Year's Concert: For more than two decades, music lovers have been flocking to Roding for the New Year's Concert. Regional and international orchestras as well as soloists perform in the town hall.

February

• Carnival in Bodenmais: Carnival in Bodenmais begins with Weiberfastnacht on Carnival Thursday, when costumed women storm the town hall. One of the highlights is the colourful parade on Shrove Tuesday.

December

• Christmas market in Deggendorf: in front of the Old Town Hall, the aroma of mulled wine and punch attracts visitors to the Christmas market. Against a historic backdrop and to the sound of music, visitors can find what they are looking for at the more than 40 stalls.