Winter Sports

In Frankfurt/Ostend, the Eissporthalle has everything to offer winter sports enthusiasts. Ice-skating fans can skate around over a surface area of 9,000 sqm, divided into two indoor ice rinks, an outdoor ring and a roofed rink. The facilities are open from September to April, although all rinks are only open between November and March. In high season, entry costs six euros for adults, four euros for children and skates can be rented for three euros. The hall is open between 9 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Usually during the summer, several concerts and shows are held there. The Eissporthalle also hosts the home games of Frankfurt's professional hockey team the Lions. For more information, call 069-212 393 08 or visit www.eissporthalle-frankfurt.de.

Those who enjoy skiing can get in on top resorts across Europe at low prices by signing up with the Frankfurt Ski, Snowboard, Sports & Social Club e.V. (formerly Frankfurt International Ski Club). The private, nonprofit organization schedules trips lasting between two and seven days from October to July. Members of the club meet regularly, both on and off the slopes, for social events and get-togethers. To learn about becoming a member and upcoming trips, visit their membership page at www.fscev.org.

Running

One of the great sporting events in Germany is the annual JPMorgan Corporate Challenge in Frankfurt. In 2011, the 5-km race attracted more than 68,000 entrants from 2,742 companies - making it the largest road race in the world. Participants come from throughout Germany to run in the race, which winds through downtown Frankfurt. From its humble beginnings in 1993 with just 700 runners, the event has blossomed into one of Germany's major sporting events. Indeed, the major corporations in the region compete to send the largest contingent and use the event as a team building exercise. For more information about entering the race, consult the website at www.jpmccc.com

For more experienced runners, the marathon is the ultimate running event. The Frankfurt marathon takes place each year at the end of October and attracts more than 10,000 participants. One glamorous particularity of this marathon: you'll run the last few meters on a red carpet before crossing the finish line, located inside the Frankfurter Festhalle. It's also possible to take part in other competitions, such as the marathon for inline skaters, the relay event, or the mini-marathon (4,2km) for children aged 10 to 16. For more information, consult www.bmw-frankfurt-marathon.com

You do not have to go all the way to the Alps to go hiking or walking in Germany. The Hessen landscape also offers several possibilities to nature lovers. The Hessen Touristik Service has put together a dozen suggestions of hiking excursions across the region, such as in the Taunus Mountains, around Fulda or in the Bergstraße, that will please romantic walkers as well as more adventurous hikers. The paths typically measure between eight and 20 km and some go 800 meters above sea level. For a complete description of the proposed excursions, visit www.hessen-tourismus.de.