European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Canadian Yvon Adams enjoys some High Jinks on a Low  inexpensive alternative to the High Alp by Chuck Roberts staff writer the mountains May not be As big the slopes As challenging or the resorts As Well known As those in the High Alps but when it comes to skiing Germany s Black Forest has a lot going for it. For Many americans stationed in Germany Feldberg located in the Middle of the Black Forest is a Good alternative to costly and time consuming weekend trips to the slopes of the Alps. It is an inexpensive ski area that can be reached in a few hours from Many military installations in Germany. For 30 Marks about $20skiers can enjoy a Day of skiing that includes 17 lifts and 27 trails totalling 26 Miles of Alpine skiing. Zermatt Switzerland it s not but what it lacks in size and variety is More than compensated for by its proximity to Many military installations. Quot it s close and convenient for anyone to make a Day trip of it that s the Best thing about it Quot said sgt. Jeff Browning who drove about 2 i hours from Ramstein a to do a Day of snowboarding. Browning said he and his friends got in even More ski time by going on a weekday when the lift lines Are Shorter. He said he Seldom waited More than a minute to catch a lift on the wednesday he showed up at Feldberg although he warned things can change drastically when the weekend comes. Quot you Don t want to come on a weekend because of the crowds Quot said Browning who is assigned to the 86th comm group. Some of the local people skiing that Day said they avoid weekend skiing in Feldberg because the waiting time in line increases to 10 to 15 minutes and sometimes As Long As 25 minutes. Overnight accommodations Are also less expensive than in the big name resorts. Room prices in Feldberg Range from 35 Marks about $22 to 135 Marks about $85 per person a and rooms Are available for less in surrounding villages. Feldberg has been popular this season because it s the Only resort in the area that has received decent snowfall according to Achim Laber who works for the nature Protection Agency located in the tourist information office. Laber said recent snowfall has increased the base to about 50 centimetres 20 inches and made it possible to open the More difficult runs that previously were closed. Fee said january and february Are the Best times to ski at Feldberg. He said the area usually averages about 60 inches of Snow but said the past four years have been lean ones for Snow. However the resort received enough snowfall last year to remain open until the Middle of March. Laber recommended that skiers come equipped with Snow chains for their automobile to travel through the Mountain passes during heavy snowfall. Feldberg has medium length runs that Are designed Lor intermediate skiers but they Are easy enough for beginners and challenging enough for More advanced skiers. Although the lifts and runs Are relatively Short the skiing can be tiresome because All the lists Are 1 bars except for one chairlift. The bulk of the ski trails Art found in three zones that Are located on both sides of the Road leading into Feldberg. Two smaller areas Tod Trauberg and Altglass Hitten Are also included in the lift pass. More advanced skiers probably will want to head for the Fahl lift that leads to the most difficult runs. Other popular lifts include Grafe Matt which takes skiers to a variety of runs located behind the tourist information office ticket office and food places. On the other Side of the Road Seebeck i and ii and the Sessel Bahn chairlift offer smooth and wide open skiing on the Bald Side of the Mountain and gives skiers a spectacular View of the mountains and valleys in the horizon. They also Are conveniently located next to the Feldberger Hof hotel. For Cross country skiers the area offers about 60 Miles of groomed nordic trails. Feldberg is about a one hour drive from Freiburg via routes 31 and 31 7. The Scenic drive that passes by Titi see helps take the mind off the discomfort skiers continued on Page its amps photos by Jim Derheim a skier glides downhill on a perfect Day for skiing a sunny plenty of Snow and no crowds. February 13, 1992 stripes Magazine