Skiing in northern Bavaria in the Ochsenkopf ski area

Winter sports options on the Ochsenkopf at a glance:

• Skiing and snowboarding, for beginners as well as experienced athletes
• tobogganing
• Cross-country skiing

Unlimited fun in the snow on the longest piste in northern Bavaria

Fun on the slopes far away from the Alps: this is possible on the Ochsenkopf in Upper Franconia. The 50-minute bus journey from Bayreuth railway station to this winter paradise is definitely worth it. At 1,024 metres, it is the second-highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge. The longest ski slopes in northern Bavaria wind their way down the northern and southern slopes of the Ochsenkopf into the valley for over four kilometres. Modern snow-making facilities ensure unlimited skiing fun on both slopes. Two cable cars and several drag lifts are available to get back up from the bottom. For beginners, the flat T-bar lift slopes are particularly suitable for their first "steps" in the snow. If you want to enjoy the longest descent in northern Bavaria even after sunset, you can whizz down the slope in the glow of the floodlights. Winter sports on the mountain not your thing? Then strap on your cross-country skis and explore the extensive network of trails around the Ochsenkopf.

Ochsenkopf shrouded in legend

Originally, the Ochsenkopf was known as the "High Vichtelberg" or simply the Fichtelberg. It is still not clear how the animal's head carved into the rock under the northern cable car came to be there. According to legend, a farmer lost one of his oxen at this spot and only found its skull many years later. He chiselled the image into the rock as a memento. Over time, the name Ochsenkopf (ox head) was transferred to the entire mountain.

How to get there

The best way to get to the ski area is from Bayreuth railway station on bus route 329 towards Fichtelberg. After a journey of around 50 minutes, get off at the "Bischofsgrün Schwebebahn Nord" station and walk 300 metres north-east along Fröbershammer Straße until you reach the cable car at the Ochsenkopf Nord valley station.