Königssee bobsleigh and luge track reopens five years after 2021 flood

Reopening five years after the flood

The Königssee bobsleigh and luge track in Schönau am Königssee, Bavaria, reopened officially on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. A flash flood in July 2021 badly damaged the track, especially its upper section, where water, debris and tree trunks swept through. Sources describe it as the world's first artificial ice track and as the oldest artificial ice track in the world, and it is called the "Mutter aller Kunsteisbahnen", the mother of all artificial ice tracks. Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) opened the track and called it a "Supertalentschmiede", a talent forge. He said it was indeed a beautiful day and expected the track to strengthen winter sport and the region.

“It is indeed a beautiful day.”

Racing on the rebuilt track

Felix Loch, a two-time Olympic champion and local favourite, won the men's German luge title in the first official race on the rebuilt track. Julia Taubitz took the women's title. Loch, who is 37, said the course felt almost like a return to the old track, because its layout had barely changed, which gave experienced riders an edge over younger athletes. He described the four consecutive S-curves at the start as especially demanding. He said he had no trouble with them, while younger athletes had struggled after five years without practice on the Königssee.

“First of all, I am happy that we can ride here again.”

Norbert Loch, a retired luge head coach, looked after his grandson during the first runs. Olympic bobsleigh champion Lochner was the first to go down the track. A final start section is still missing.

Reconstruction costs

The damage was first estimated at around 20 million euros. The planned reconstruction budget stood at 58.5 million euros, of which 53.5 million came from the reconstruction fund of the federal government and the states and 5 million from the Free State of Bavaria. Thomas Schwab, chairman of the Bob- und Schlittenverband für Deutschland (BSD), expects the project to end up about 10 million euros more expensive because of long planning and construction, redesigns and price increases. Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria's interior and sports minister, said more than 60 million euros had gone into the rebuild. Some critics pushed the figure up to 100 million euros. Flood protection on the Klingerbach alone was set at about 5.7 million euros.

Initial damage estimate20

Planned reconstruction budget58.5

Reconstruction fund (federal and state)53.5

Free State of Bavaria share5

Expected overrun (BSD chairman)10

Initial damage estimate

20 million euros

Planned reconstruction budget

58.5 million euros

Reconstruction fund (federal and state)

53.5 million euros

Free State of Bavaria share

5 million euros

Expected overrun (BSD chairman)

10 million euros

Data from the article text

Support for winter sport

Schwab said the rebuild was unavoidable despite the other German sliding tracks in Altenberg, Winterberg and Oberhof. The federation's office in nearby Berchtesgaden coordinates planning for all three sliding sports, including logistics, equipment and sports science. Söder and Herrmann had backed the rebuild right after the disaster in 2021, and Schwab praised that early commitment.

“Positive at first was the swift and clear commitment of politics to the reconstruction, which was also tied to corresponding financial pledges.”

The project has also drawn criticism. The final overall cost has not yet been confirmed, and Schwab referred questions on it to the responsible district office.