Freshly groomed

It is impossible to imagine Ruhpolding without cross-country skiing and definitely without biathlon. So it is only logical to name a trail after one of the town’s most famous winter sports athletes: Fritz Fischer. The 65- year-old from Ruhpolding, who says of himself, “I’ve always been a bit of a fool and joker”, is considered the Bavarian biathlon legend par excellence. His greatest success was winning the gold medal with the 4 x 7.5 kilometre relay at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. Fischer was the final skier, shot zero twice and had such a big lead on the home straight that he could relax and wave a Germany flag. This gesture was new at the time. Just like the victory of a German relay team at all.

Fritz Fischer came to the biathlon by chance. He took part in a 5,000-metre run for the German Armed Forces for fun – and left everyone else standing, without any training. That made an impression and the Lower Bavarian native was allowed to join the high mountain platoon instead of the tank drivers, and he stood on cross-country skis for the first time at the age of 18.

After his career as a professional, he was coach of the German men’s national team and whipped the young biathlon talents into shape at the Ruhpolding base. He also runs his own biathlon camp. As soon as there is enough snow, you can get a taste of biathlon with him every week in the Chiemgau Arena. Fritz Fischer is convinced “Biathlon is a school of life. Anyone who knows how to calmly lay at the shooting range despite tension and stress can also apply this positive approach to stress to everyday life.”

Of course, the former professional athlete also has cross-country skiing tips at the biathlon taster session, for example on how to push off with your leg or use your pole correctly. Many exercises have to do with balance, that’s what matters, whether it’s classic style or skating. This technique only became established in the mid-1980s. Because the focus is on the gliding phases, skating is faster than classic cross-country skiing.

You can enjoy both styles on the Fritz Fischer cross-country ski trail. The trail, which is around 6 kilometres long, leads from the Sichernwiese from the Chiemgau Arena car park via the Laubauer Almen along the Seetraun. In the middle of the forest on the former forest railway line, the trail leads back to the car park in a circular route. The trail is ideal for families, beginners and leisurely skiers, it does not contain any steep
sections, sharper turns or other challenging terrain. The Fritz Fischer cross-country trail perfectly complements Ruhpolding’s cross-country skiing offer with around 130 kilometres in total. One of the scenic highlights is the 3- Lakes Trail, which starts at the Chiemgau Arena. Anyone wanting to cover additional kilometres, should join the trail earlier, warm up on the Fritz Fischer cross-country trail and then set off into the spacious, sunny valley, where mountain lakes are strung together like little pearls. The winter sun is reflected in the crystal-clear Förchensee lake, and the trail goes around the Lödensee and Mittersee lakes and over to the Weitsee lake, where bathers flock to its shores in summer.

Small climbs and descents provide variety. Ruhpolding’s trails are groomed every day, always coordinated flexibly to the weather conditions. Sometimes you ski in the forest, sometimes across open spaces. Add to this the backdrop of snow-covered mountain ridges, trees wrapped in snow and white frost and vast meadows under a blanket of snow. Small clouds of breath rise in the clear air. Poles crunch in the snow when pushing off. You find your rhythm, you are completely at one with yourself.

“Cross-country skiing is like dancing a waltz”, Fritz Fischer tells his students again and again. “It is the best fitness training for your own body. There is no age limit for this, the main thing is to enjoy the exercise.”

And Fritz Fischer has never lost that either. In winter, he is on his skis almost every day. The fact that a trail has been dedicated to him makes him proud. “I am so grateful for what sport has given me that I would like to give it back to the people.”