Wintercamping in the Black Forest

The Brothers Grimm's fairytale book is as much a part of winter camping in the Black Forest as ham smoked over pinewood or the cheerfully chirping cuckoo clock. Between Pforzheim and Lörrach, skiing, snow hikes through the fragrant forests and carriage rides through the white splendour are the most popular activities on offer at winter campsites in the Black Forest. And nowhere else are the Christmas markets as atmospheric as in the small communities with their quaint half-timbered houses, which look just like those described in Grimm's fairy tales.

Winter camping for skiers in the Upper Black Forest

With around two dozen ski arenas, the Upper Black Forest is Germany's largest ski area north of the Alps. And it is perfect for active winter campers. Over 700 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, 550 km of winter hiking routes and 12 designated snowshoe trails allow you to explore the romantic snowy landscape. Skiers and snowboarders prefer the region around the Feldberg. Those who prefer a cosy and quiet ambience will easily find a winter campsite in the Black Forest. For example, on the southern shore of Lake Titisee, where the Bankenhof campsite has a restaurant that is open all year round, a small supermarket and excellent ratings. A separate sanitary building for children and an exciting playground have been set up at this pet-friendly campsite in the Black Forest.

Passing the Black Forest Ski Museum, the family-friendly Hinterzarten ski area with three lifts is less than 7 km away. There are pistes of varying degrees of difficulty, which are fully floodlit in the evening with a modern floodlight system. The longest piste is just over 800 metres long. Winter camping in the Black Forest is also possible at the municipal campsite in Schluchsee. This is laid out in terraces directly on the lake, but is also suitable for wheelchair users. Disabled sanitary facilities, two children's playgrounds and internet access are available throughout the site. The 600 m long Schluchsee-Fischbach ski lift with floodlights and the free children's lift of the family sports arena are just 4 km to the north. The largest ski arena is the Feldberg, where 38 lifts lead to the pistes with a total length of 63 km. There are family slopes as well as the very challenging FIS World Cup course. The snow-sure altitudes of between 950 m and 1,450 m and snow-making facilities guarantee unadulterated winter fun.

Top tips

• Of the more than 200 Christmas markets, of which the one in Freiburg is the largest, the one in the Ravenna Gorge is exceptional. A village of wooden huts is set up under the Höllental railway viaduct and bathed in a sparkling sea of light. Handicrafts, handmade cuckoo clocks and extravagant gift ideas from the Black Forest make this Christmas market extremely popular.
• If you want to warm up outdoors in the cold season, you should choose a site near Bad Bellingen for winter camping in the Black Forest. The Balinea Therme in the west of the Black Forest has a well-tempered outdoor pool and an extensive spa with sauna area. Alternatively, the Radon Revital Bad in Menzenschwand between Schwinbach-Skiarena and Schluchsee is recommended. The thermal water containing fluoride or radon in various pools has proven healing powers.

Fun in the snow in the Black Forest

Winter camping in the Black Forest is cosy, family-oriented and generally relaxing and peaceful. At the same time, attractive activities are on the programme and the white splendour is used in a variety of ways that are probably only possible in the Black Forest.

Ice climbing in the Black Forest for adventurous winter campers

They are regarded as an ice climber's paradise in Germany: the two almost 100 metre-high waterfalls in the gorges between Todtnauberg and Aftersteg. As soon as the mighty cascades have turned into solid, bizarre ice sculptures, winter camping in the Black Forest begins for experienced climbers, who also travel here from other European countries. The Todtnauberg climbing club makes it easy to find partners for a climb who also know the best and most exciting routes.

Romantic tours around the Schluchsee in a horse-drawn sleigh

Snow-covered forests, hoarfrost on the reeds, icicles on the canopy and sometimes a closed ice surface on the Schluchsee make horse-drawn sleigh rides around the mountain lake an unforgettably idyllic experience. And this is how you can reach the unspoilt southern shore, which is otherwise only accessible on hikes or bike tours. Wrapped up in blankets and carrying hot drinks, these trips are also a spiritual experience. These tours are particularly popular for marriage proposals or as a honeymoon tour.

Travel back in time to the Middle Ages at the Vogtsbauernhof in winter

In the Kinzig valley near Gutach, the Black Forest open-air museum Vogtsbauernhof is an open-air facility. The village-like museum consists of original Black Forest farmhouses. Visitors are shown how the Black Forest people have managed their lives over the past 400 years. Visitors can learn a lot about customs, the origins of traditional costumes and culinary Black Forest specialities. Hands-on courses are offered in which traditional handicraft techniques are taught. In the old kitchen, bread is baked in a wood-fired oven and cooked, which is then served at festive demonstrations.

Events

Winter camping in the Black Forest includes idyllic and entertaining events, including high-calibre sports competitions.

December

• Ski Jumping World Cup: The world's best ski jumpers meet in Titisee-Neustadt to score points for the World Cup on the Hochfirstschanze.
• Women's Ski Jumping World Cup: The ladies compete in Hinterzarten.

January

• Sled dog race: As in Canada, the mushers and their sled dogs determine the German champion in Todtmoos-Schwarzenbach on courses of varying lengths, with over 1,000 dogs competing. If you want to try it yourself, you can take a musher course.
• Snow sculpture festival: The works of art can be admired on the plateau of the Köpfle/Spitzenberg ski arena in Bernau, which are illuminated in the evening to create a special atmosphere.

February

• Snowboard crossers: The world's top snowboarders meet on the Feldberg to secure their participation in the Olympic Games, World and European Championships.