Our history - When the winters were still cold - New stories of snow and ice
Winters in the north used to be something special: ice skating on the Alster lake, snowy wonderlands in the Harz Mountains, and even the islands experienced biting cold. "Our Story" shows historical footage and features people who remember a time when there were real winters and even at Christmastime, there was plenty of snow. Like on the island of Baltrum. The winters of the 1960s remain unforgettable for the island's long-time residents. The Christmas tree in the village square was covered in snow, and the East Frisian Santa Claus, Sünnerklaas, rode his horse from house to house in the freezing cold. Snowy fun in the Harz Mountains, too.
Back then, tourism around the Brocken mountain was booming. Many people from the lowlands discovered the fun of winter on the slopes, après-ski in the snow bar, or taking horse-drawn sleigh rides through town in the late 1960s. Winter magic on the Alster lake, too. Thanks to the persistent frost, the waters became an ice rink for the people of Hamburg. Meanwhile, in Blankenese, children zipped down the slopes on their "Kreeks" (flat, box-shaped sleds). Steering these sleds, once used to transport coal and potatoes in the Treppenviertel (staircase district), required skill and a lot of courage. In Schleswig-Holstein, two ships got into trouble during ice floes in January 1968 and were washed ashore on the dike at Dagebüll.
Here, they became an attraction for weekend visitors. Snow and frost also prevailed on the Saaler Bodden in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Only a few fishermen still master the proper clattering technique for attracting zander and perch while ice fishing. They used to go out regularly, even using fishing sleds with the typical rust-brown sails. These are still lovingly restored and maintained today, but whether they will ever glide across the Bodden ice for fishing again is uncertain. A frosty journey back in time to the north, back when winters were still cold.
Broadcasting on 05th of January 2026 at 10.50pm on NDR/ARD
Music: POPVIRUS Library