German Police Struggle to Keep Skiers Off Closed Ski Area’s Slopes During COVID-19 Lockdown

German police chased people off the slopes of a closed ski resort after hundreds flocked to Winterberg, defying appeals from authorities to stay home https://t.co/FWICyn7ag3 pic.twitter.com/M1n9t2jY6s

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 3, 2021

Who would have ever thought that the police would one day be fighting to keep people from skiing? Well, that day has come in Germany where local authorities have been struggling to keep people from poaching a closed ski area for fresh turns.

According to the New York Post, thousands of skiers have flocked to the Winterberg resort near Duesseldorf in recent days despite attempts by police to close off access roads to keep them out. The resort is closed but people are hiking up to ski which has prompted police intervention.

• Related: Switzerland Decides to Keep Ski Resorts Open as Coronavirus Second Waves Locks Down Europe

Footage posted by Reuters shows German cops attempting to shoo scores of people off of Winterberg’s trails—including families with children. 

Reuters reports that Germany is likely to extend a national lockdown beyond Jan. 10 with the hope of curbing currently increasing coronavirus infection rates.