Legendary ice rink in Königssee reopened after €60 million

Five years after the devastating landslide, the world’s oldest artificial ice track is back in the spotlight. The luge and bobsleigh track in Königssee was ceremonially reopened on Wednesday.

Despite delays, the ice track now shines again in its former glory. In July 2021, a landslide triggered by heavy rain destroyed large parts of the artificial ice track built in 1959. According to Bavaria’s interior and sports minister Joachim Herrmann, more than 60 million euros were invested in the reconstruction.

Reconstruction and Protective Measures

The reconstruction was a massive engineering and ecological challenge. Herrmann explained that extensive protective and reinforcement measures were implemented in the creek area to sustainably safeguard the track against future extreme weather events. Shortly before the opening ceremony, German luge star Felix Loch rode the first official race and secured the German championship title.

The 37‑year‑old Loch said he was happy to finally be able to race again and emphasized that training and competitions for the children were more important than the title. Currently, the track is ready for ten of the eleven Olympic disciplines. The three‑time Olympic champion Loch, however, still has to wait for the new men’s start.

He had never believed the original reopening date of October 2022 anyway. He recalled long‑standing conflicts over sustainability and high costs. Thomas Schwab, chairman of the German Bobsleigh and Sledding Association, announced that the new men’s start will be built from March 2027 to the end of 2027, paving the way for the World Championships in February 2028.

This season, Königssee is once again a permanent fixture of the World Cup. In mid‑January 2027, the bobsleigh and skeleton pilots will visit Bavaria. In early March, the World Cup final for the male and female lugers will take place on the legendary track.