The Forgotten Winter Dream: The Ski World Cup Race at Teufelsberg
When people think of Teufelsberg today, art, history, and nature are usually what come to mind. But few know that this iconic Berlin landmark was once the site of a spectacular skiing event. On December 28, 1986, Teufelsberg hosted a Ski World Cup race – right in the middle of a divided city. A true winter fairy tale, filled with improvisation, mishaps, and a touch of Berlin’s unique ingenuity.
Ski Fever in Berlin
Back in the 1960s, Teufelsberg, standing at 120.1 meters and long celebrated as Berlin’s highest point, became a winter sports hotspot. With floodlights, snow cannons, and even a ski lift, it drew skiers from all over the city. Ski lessons were offered for beginners, and Berliners flocked to the slopes to enjoy a taste of the Alps right in their backyard.
The pinnacle of Teufelsberg’s skiing era came in 1986 with Berlin’s first and only Ski World Cup race. The course was 400 meters long with a vertical drop of 82 meters – not much by Alpine standards, but an impressive feat for Berlin. International ski stars like Markus Wasmeier, Ingemar Stenmark, and Bojan Krizaj competed head-to-head in a parallel slalom event, making it an unforgettable day for the city.
Rain, Salt, and Slushy Snow
Preparing the course was a monumental effort. Two snow cannons laid down 20 centimeters of artificial snow under the guidance of an Austrian expert. But race day brought unexpected challenges. With temperatures at 4°C and steady rain, the snow started to melt, threatening to turn the event into a muddy disaster. The organizers saved the day with an unlikely hero: pretzel salt, which stabilized the snow enough to keep the race going – a perfect example of Berlin’s creative problem-solving.
Despite the weather, up to 14,800 fans turned out to cheer on the athletes. However, the turnout fell short of expectations, as organizers had hoped for twice that number. Financially, the event didn’t live up to its ambitions, but it left a lasting impression, nonetheless.
Friction with the Americans
The event’s proximity to the U.S. listening station on Teufelsberg caused some diplomatic tension. Allegedly, a U.S. officer demanded that television cameras avoid showing the station’s buildings during the broadcast, threatening to cut the signal if they did not comply. The dispute did not escalate further, and viewers across Germany watched comfortably from home as Austria’s Olympic champion Leonhard Stock claimed victory. Interestingly, Stock never returned to Berlin after his triumph.
A Unique Chapter in Berlin’s History
The Ski World Cup race at Teufelsberg remains one of Berlin’s most curious and fascinating stories. It is a testament to the city’s creativity and its willingness to take risks, even when the odds seem stacked against it. This winter fairy tale proves that in Berlin, anything is possible – even skiing on a hill made of rubble. The only question that remains: why hasn’t Berlin tried something like this again?
Wishing you a merry Christmas and happy discoveries of Teufelsberg’s unique history!
Source: Behnisch I. (2023). Als die Ski-Weltelite auf den Teufelsberg kam. rbb24. Retrieved from https://www.rbb24.de