The ski season in Hesse is coming to an end.

In the state's largest ski area in Willingen in northern Hesse (Waldeck-Frankenberg district), ski fans will probably get their money's worth for a few more days.

Frosty nights and sunny days with temperatures around six degrees are ideal, said the spokesman for the ski area, Jörg Wilke.

"We currently have by far the best conditions of the entire season."

Although the changeable weather was a challenge, Wilke explained that he was basically satisfied with the course of the season.

Especially compared to the two previous seasons, the balance is good.

“Two years ago we had a weak winter.

Last year we were only able to open for a few days due to the corona virus," he explained.

“This season we are back to our average of around 85 days.

We are very happy about that.”

At the end, Willingen offered its guests a special treat: On Wednesday and Friday evening, floodlit skiing was possible on the freshly groomed slopes.

A large part of the entrance fee for both evenings will be donated to local Ukraine aid, Wilke said.

operation has paid off

The skiing and tobogganing offers on the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön were also well received by visitors this year.

"We were always busy," said Jeremias Kümpel, consultant to the management of Wiegand Erlebnisberge GmbH.

Almost all the lifts on Hesse's highest mountain opened before Christmas and remained open - with the exception of a few days' break due to the mild weather in January.

Only the lowest Abtsroda lift could not be operated due to a lack of snow.

Because little natural snow fell, "artificial snow saved the season," said Kümpel.

Even now, the best conditions for winter sports fun still prevail.

The lifts should therefore remain in operation at least until next weekend, after which a decision will be made depending on the current daily conditions.

The Corona measures would have affected skiing less, but the gastronomy, where security personnel had to be deployed.

The restrictions would have led to losses and additional costs.

Nevertheless, the operation has paid off, said Kümpel.

According to Kümpel, significantly fewer lift operating days were possible on the two lifts on the Hoherodskopf in the Vogelsberg than on the Wasserkuppe.

For reasons of nature conservation law, the two slopes there may not be snowed.

The lift on the Breungeshainer slope could therefore only be operated for a full four days this winter, and the lift on the Rennwiese ran for around 14 to 16 days.