Bavarian curling:A centuries-old tradition experiences new popularity – also in the North

Schneverdingen, November 01, 2025. When temperatures drop and breath paints tiny clouds into the crisp winter air, an old folk sport comes back to life in many regions of Europe: Bavarian curling (Eisstockschießen). What was once played on frozen lakes is now a popular recreational and team game – and no longer at home solely in the Alpine region. This centuries-old tradition has also found a permanent home in the North.

The roots of Bavarian curling likely trace back to the 13th century. The precursors of the game probably originated in Scandinavia, from where it spread across Central Europe over the centuries. The form known today can be traced back to the 16th century. Early pictorial depictions are found in the Alpine regions, particularly in Bavaria and Austria. Even back then, villagers gathered on frozen ponds to shoot wooden stocks as close as possible to a target – the so-called "Daube."

From the very beginning, the focus was not only on sporting ambition, but above all on social gathering during the cold season. An occasion to meet, laugh, and enjoy winter together. What originally began as a pastime in the cold season developed over the centuries into a competitive sport with its own rules, clubs, and even international championships.

From Village Ponds to Modern Rinks

While natural ice surfaces once formed the playing field, today games are mostly played on artificial ice or special synthetic rinks. This makes the fun weather-independent and accessible even in regions where stable frost periods are rare. The appeal has remained the same: it requires skill, concentration, and a good feel for movement and team dynamics. Not without reason, Bavarian curling is often referred to as a "Nordic variation of curling" – more social, more rustic, but with a similar team spirit.

Bavarian Curling in the North

In Northern Germany, Bavarian curling has established itself particularly over the last two decades. Today, this winter ice activity can be enjoyed not only in metropolises and larger cities. Many hotels, amusement parks, and municipalities now offer their own rinks, providing a winter experience for families, groups of friends, or corporate teams.

Winter Team Fun in the Lüneburg Heath

In the Lüneburg Heath, the game can be experienced in a truly special atmosphere surrounded by vast, idyllic countryside along with a rich supporting program: Hotelcamp Reinsehlen offers an atmospheric team experience with Bavarian curling on its in-house rink as part of its "Winter PLUS" offer. Whether as a workshop supplement, company outing, or Christmas party – groups can look forward to a combination of sporting fun, mulled wine, and punch by the fire pit, alongside optional treats such as stick bread, baked apples, or roasted almonds.

"Even in its early days, Bavarian curling served as a way for people to gather socially in winter, and today it remains perfect for getting people moving and talking," says Laura Balzer from the event department at Hotelcamp Reinsehlen. "Especially during the quiet winter season, a special atmosphere emerges here: crisp air, vast open spaces, the silence of the heath – and right in the middle of it, the laughter of teams playing together." The offer is bookable until the end of February and is aimed at groups of ten to eighty people. Alongside the standard "Winter PLUS" option, an expanded "Winter PLUS XL" version is also available, including additional activities.

Jan Lohmann, Lodge Reinsehlen

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