Westerwald
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Are you looking for a winter sports destination that is easy to reach, offers manageable slopes and is not overcrowded? Then the Westerwald is an interesting region for you. Here you combine skiing, snowboarding and sledging with the natural landscape of a low mountain range in Germany. The Westerwald is located in Rhineland Palatinate and neighbouring federal states and can be reached easily by many visitors from the surrounding area.
Winter sports activities
Rennerod
Langlaufen rund um Rennerod
Bad Marienberg
Cross-country skiing Bad Marienberg
Stein-Neukirch
Skilift und Abfahrtsski Salzburger Kopf
Elz
Skilift und Abfahrtsski am Oberroder Knoten
Langlaufen Salzburger Kopf
Langlaufen Liebenscheid
Rodeln Salzburger Kopf
Toboggan run in the game park
The Westerwald is a low mountain range with elevations reaching just under 700 metres. The combination of open ridges, woodland, smaller valleys and villages creates various spots where natural snow can remain in winter when conditions are suitable. Where technical snowmaking is used, this results in winter sports slopes that are well suited to beginners and families.
A typical ski area in the Westerwald consists of one or a small number of lifts, a manageable ski slope and clearly defined areas for skiing, snowboarding and sledging. Instead of large chairlift systems, drag lifts and simple ski lift systems dominate. You travel from the valley station to the top station, from where a descent with limited vertical drop leads back down into the valley. This structure is especially comfortable for children and beginners, as the slope, route and piste layout are easy to take in.
The Westerwald region is not a classic high alpine area, but it offers suitable options for anyone who wants to ski, sledge or snowboard without long journeys. It is important that you check current information on slope conditions, open lifts and available activities before setting off. As the altitude is limited, slopes and trails react sensitively to weather and snowfall. This helps you better assess which ski slopes, sledging hills or snow tubing options are available on your winter day.
One of the central ski areas in the Westerwald is the Salzburger Kopf. According to current information, the top station of the Salzburger Kopf ski area in Stein Neukirch / Rennerod is located at around 659 metres above sea level. It is considered the highest ski area in the Westerwald region. It is operated by the WSV Salzburger Kopf e. V. winter sports club, also referred to in some texts as Salzburger Kopf e. V.
The ski slope at Salzburger Kopf is clearly laid out. A drag lift takes winter sports enthusiasts from the valley to the top station. From there, runs with a moderate gradient lead back down to the valley station. According to the operator, the slope is particularly suitable for beginners and families, as well as for skiers who want to practise their technique in a relaxed way. Snowboarding is also possible on the slopes, as the pistes are wide enough for turns and first carving attempts.
During the ski season, natural snow and, where available, snowmaking play a role. Whether pistes are open depends on temperature and precipitation. The winter sports club provides current information and details on the route, the length of the pistes and the operating status of the lift online. In addition to skiing, the Salzburger Kopf also offers, according to the club, an area for sledging, a dedicated toboggan run and snow tubing on a specially prepared track, as soon as conditions allow. This means that skiers, sledgers and snowboarders can all find suitable activities in the same place.
Alongside the Salzburger Kopf, the Schorrberg in Bad Marienberg is one of the well known ski slopes in the Westerwald. The Schorrberg is one of the larger ski areas in the region. According to the operators, around 1.1 kilometres of piste length with several run variations are available there. Two lifts or installations are in operation, providing access to the slopes and making the ascent easier for winter sports enthusiasts.
At the Schorrberg, skiers and snowboarders can choose between longer or shorter descents depending on the section. The ski pistes are designed so that beginners as well as more experienced winter sports enthusiasts can find suitable areas. Combined with the proximity to the town of Bad Marienberg, this creates many ways to shape a winter day that includes winter sports and walks in the surrounding area. Skiing in the Westerwald, sledging and a short trip into town can therefore be easily combined.
Additional ski slopes in the region complement the offer. Many of these nearby ski areas feature a ski lift, a piste and limited vertical drop, which makes them particularly appealing for children, families and beginners. Anyone looking for skiing close to home or their accommodation can use the information provided by operators and tourist offices to choose a destination in the Westerwald that suits their location and the desired scope of winter sports.
Sledging in the Westerwald and tobogganing in the Westerwald are an integral part of the region’s winter offer. For many visitors, winter sports are not just about skiing and snowboarding, but also about spending a shared day sledging on a toboggan hill. As soon as there is enough snow, various locations offer slopes where sledging is possible and where the route remains clearly visible for both children and adults.
Officially designated toboggan hills usually feature a clearly recognisable track. A flatter starting area leads into a slope with a moderate gradient, followed by a sufficiently long run out at the bottom. Short hills with lower speed are well suited for children and cautious sledgers. Adults and more experienced sledgers often choose routes with more bends and higher speed. In all cases, well running runners and suitable winter clothing are essential for an enjoyable sledging experience. This creates an activity for the whole family that brings plenty of fun even without skis.
Tobogganing close to ski areas is often possible, as many operators have set up separate areas for sledges. This allows skiing and sledging to take place in clearly separated spaces. If you are travelling with family, it is worth checking maps and regional information to choose a hill that matches the children’s level of experience. Toboggan hill, ski slope and valley station are often located close together, making it easy to combine winter sports with breaks so that everyone finds their place.
Alongside classic sledging, snow tubing is also available in the Westerwald. Here you slide downhill in a large inflatable ring on a prepared track. At the Salzburger Kopf, snow tubing is part of the regular offer according to the winter sports club, provided that snow and weather conditions allow. The track is designed with a defined route and a clearly visible line, ensuring that sledgers and spectators can keep an overview at all times.
Snowboarding in the Westerwald plays an important role on the region’s wider slopes. Anyone who wants to try or practise snowboarding nearby will find suitable pistes especially at ski areas such as the Salzburger Kopf or the Schorrberg. Thanks to the relatively short descents, you can complete many runs in succession and improve technique, edge control and balance. Long downhill runs are not the focus in the Westerwald. Instead, the emphasis is on controlled riding and turning technique. This gives winter sports enthusiasts a combination of manageable pistes, clearly visible slopes and many opportunities to try something new.
Good preparation is important to make sure your trip to a ski area in the Westerwald goes smoothly. As the region depends on weather and precipitation, you should check current information before travelling. On the websites of the ski areas and tourism organisations you will find details about open lifts, the use of snowmaking, piste conditions and possible restrictions. This helps you see whether a ski lift, drag lift, snow tubing track or toboggan run will be available on your chosen day.
When planning your day, make sure you start early enough and allow sufficient time for travel, parking and getting an initial overview. Many information sources list starting points of the pistes, provide maps or give contact details for ski clubs or winter sports associations if you have questions. As the ski slopes are manageable, you usually find your way around quickly on site and can easily get an overview of slope, valley station and top station.
Essential safety equipment includes a helmet, ski goggles and weatherproof clothing. For children, it is also advisable to agree clearly on which route they will take and where you will meet again in the valley. As a beginner, start your first run on an easier section and increase gradually. If you are unsure, you can ask about beginner courses or offers from ski schools in the region. Some places work together with local ski clubs that offer courses and provide further information about the slopes and requirements.
If you want to combine skiing in the Westerwald, sledging or snowboarding with an outing, it is worth taking a look at the surroundings of the ski areas. Places such as Bad Marienberg combine ski slopes with a town setting, making it easy to divide a winter day between the pistes, walks and short excursions. A short walk through the forest or a visit to a viewpoint can round off your winter sports day and offer an additional view of the region.
For orientation within the region, digital maps and the portals of the Westerwald Touristik Service are helpful. There you can filter destinations by location, altitude, slope length or type of activities. Terms such as proximity, region or specific place help you to realistically assess travel times. If you want to find out more, it is worth looking at the detail pages, as they often provide additional information on routes, vertical metres, curves and complementary activities. This allows you to choose your personal winter destination and check in advance which offers are available for children, adults and the whole family.
Christmas markets in the Westerwald
Waldbreitbach
29.11.2025 - 25.01.2026
Weihnachtsdorf Waldbreitbach
Hof
Weihnachtsmarkt im Erlebnisbahnhof in Westerburg
Can you go skiing in the Westerwald?
Yes, you can go skiing in the Westerwald. There are several ski slopes in the region, for example at the Salzburger Kopf near Stein Neukirch / Rennerod or at the Schorrberg near Bad Marienberg. The ski areas are primarily geared towards families, beginners and leisure focused winter sports enthusiasts who appreciate manageable pistes and short distances.
What is the difference between sledging and tobogganing?
In everyday use, no distinction is often made, but there is a finer difference. Tobogganing tends to describe the more sporty form using specialised toboggans designed for higher speeds and dynamic turns. Sledging usually refers to more relaxed rides on classic sledges, where shared enjoyment is the main focus. In practice, you will find both forms on the same slope in the Westerwald, allowing you to choose how sporty you want to be.
Which ski areas are nearby?
Which ski areas are nearby depends on where you live. On the websites of Westerwald tourism and the ski areas, you will find maps and overviews that allow you to sort nearby ski areas by distance, piste length and lift systems. In the Westerwald, the Salzburger Kopf and the Schorrberg are among the better known destinations, with additional smaller slopes complementing the offer in different parts of the region.
Where can you find good toboggan runs?
You can find good toboggan runs in the Westerwald at designated sledging hills, especially near ski areas. At the Salzburger Kopf, areas for tobogganing and sledging are used by the winter sports club as soon as snow conditions allow. There are also slopes around Bad Marienberg that can be used for sledging in winter conditions. Exact locations and conditions are listed on the information pages of the respective providers.
Which is more strenuous, skiing or snowboarding?
Whether skiing or snowboarding is more strenuous depends on your fitness, technique and experience. Many people find the first days on a snowboard more physically demanding, as balance and muscles are heavily challenged. When skiing, longer days are often felt mainly in the legs. The advantage in the Westerwald is that the pistes are compact, allowing you to take breaks flexibly.
Where is there snow in the Westerwald?
Snow in the Westerwald is mainly found at higher elevations above around 500 metres, for example in the Hoher Westerwald. Ski areas such as the Salzburger Kopf and the Schorrberg are located at these elevations and are therefore often prepared for operation earlier in many winters. As weather and precipitation can vary greatly, up to date information is the best point of reference.
Where is the best place to snowboard?
Snowboarding in the Westerwald is possible on all ski slopes that offer alpine pistes. Wide slopes with an even gradient are particularly suitable, such as those at the Salzburger Kopf and the Schorrberg. There you can build your turns calmly as a snowboarder and gain your first experience as a beginner. Check current piste conditions and open lifts before your visit.
Where is there enough snow for skiing?
Whether there is enough snow for skiing in the Westerwald depends on current weather conditions. Higher slopes such as the Salzburger Kopf usually have better chances of a continuous snow cover. Depending on the facility, snowmaking may also be used. Checking current snow reports, webcams and information from the operators helps you assess the situation.
Where can you go sledging with children?
Sledging with children is best recommended on wide, moderately steep toboggan hills. Officially designated slopes near ski areas usually offer clear routes and sufficient run out areas. Suitable areas are described at the Salzburger Kopf and in the Bad Marienberg area. Make sure to choose slopes that match your children’s experience and follow local guidance.
How can I find current information about lifts and pistes?
Current information on lifts, pistes, floodlighting, snow tubing and sledging hills can be found on the websites of the respective ski areas and winter sports clubs. There you will find concise information on availability, operating status, weather conditions and possible restrictions. A quick check before your trip helps you plan better and choose a suitable destination.
