We are relocating from Bend OREGON which boasts superb trails systems including lots of racing, to Franconia/Nuremburg region and are hoping for access to good XC skiing - anyone know of what we can expect in the area? Additionally what are some of the preferred/fav destination Nordic areas in the German/Austrian alps.

best regards

I'm afraid i don't know about cross country trails in Franconia, but I can tell you that they don't get all that much snow, compared to Munich and obviously places closer to the Alps...

I'd actually argue that the Mittelgebirge (mountains in Germany north of the Alps) are better suited to cross country skiing than the Alps are.

In Franken you have Ochsenkopf, which is supposed to be quite good (though I've never been). But just north of Franken in Thuringen and Saxon there are tons of options.

Oberhof is a frequent host of cross country world championships, and also lies on the 120 km Rennsteig trail. Other areas a little farhter north are equally extensive (Klingenthal, Oberweisenthal, Altenberg), not to mention the Czech Republic right next door (Liberec is hosting the upcoming nordic world championships if I'm not mistaken. The Harz mountains also have a lot of cross country skiing options.

This a part of the world were cross country skiing is more popular than downhill skiing. Bend is great, and the commitment to the sport in Germany is equally strong (just look at how well the national teams do), especially outside of the Alps.

There are some good spots in the Alps too, but honestly if there is enough snow in the mountains farther north in Gemany, I think they are better. The Alps is characterised by very deep valleys and very high peaks. The Thuringen Forrest, Black Forrest, Erzgebirge and Harz mountains are lower but more rolling: bad for alpine skiing, but perfect for cross country. The villages in those other ranges are also generally higher than those in the Alps (yes, really. Look it up), so in some cases they are actually more snowsure. They are also places dedicated to cross country, while in many (but not all) places in the Alps, if there is cross country skiing offered, it is an afterthought.

In the Alps, though, I'd recommend, Mittenwald and Oberammergau just south of Munich and Lermoos-Erwald and Seefeld just over the border in Austria. The latter is pretty much regarded as the premier nordic ski resort in Europe. It's nice but expensive (feels a little like Sun Mountain Lodge in Washington, but totally different if that makes any sense). Mittenwald is just over the border from Seefeld but is in my opinion both much cheaper and a lot more quaint.

Hi!

We aren't cross-country experts by any means, but we do enjoy getting out recreationally at home in the Canadian Rockies and Kananaskis country. I'm really happy to say that we had a great day out at the Fichtelgebirge Nordic Parc in Ochsenkopf (not far from Bayreuth) today! It was our first time there, and it was a very nice surprise. There's loads of snow up there! There are lots of different loops of different lengths and elevation gains and several different parking areas and access points. In some areas there were also lifts running, or else just people hiking up to snowboard, ski or toboggan down. Fun fun!

http://www.nordic-parc.de

http://www.nordic-parc.de/Schneebericht.html

hope this helps someone out!

Jasmine

You might want to check out Sankt Englmar in Bayerische Wald - I've been there several times, it's not actually such a long drive from Nuremberg and it's pretty nice cross country skiing, IIRC.

http://www.sankt-englmar.de/index.php?pageid=8

I have been to Frankische-Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) numerous times since my friends kinsfolk live there in some villages..! Its hilly and offers good scenery and there are lot of caves and castles which u can visit...Its very nearby to Erlangen...Its between Erlangen and Bayreuth..! :-)

I have seen people trying rock climbing, hiking and walking around...Its good, but aint a bigtime place..! Also, lotsa people go motor-biking in summer time...!

For further info, check this link :

http://frankische-schweiz.de/