Snowball fight (1925/1930) by Friedrich SeidenstückerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Snowball Fight in Partner Look
Gone are the days of tight corsets and long gowns. The modern woman of the 1920s wore bobbed hair under her hat and short, loose dresses with knee-high socks and pants. In this way, the "new woman" demonstrates fashionable self-confidence, independence and a sense of adventure.
Artificial ski run in Berlin's Schneepalast on Kaiserdamm (1927) by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Snow Palace on Kaiserdamm
The Berlin Snow Palace was one of the first indoor ski halls in the world. In 1927, a winter dream with a ski jump, ski slope and toboggan run was created in a former automobile exhibition hall for 3 months. The artificial snow consists of washing soda, sawdust and water.
Theo Rockenfeller helps his pillion passenger get into the sidecar (1925) by Fotograf unbekanntBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
With the Motorcycle to the “weekend”
Weekend trips by car or motorcycle are in vogue in the Weimar Republic. Theo Rockenfeller, editor of the magazine "Kleinauto und Kraftrad", and travel reporter Ines Lundberg didn't want to do without it, even in the snow and slippery conditions of the winter of 1925.
Charlie Chaplin as a snowman (1931) by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Berlin in Charlie Chaplin Fever
On March 9, 1931, Berlin rejoices at the arrival of the world's most famous film star. Chaplin stays for a week and presents his latest film “City Lights”. Surprised by the late onset of winter, (the real) Charlie Chaplin catches a cold.
Tug of war on the ice (1928) by Walter StiehrBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Children's Party on the Ice Rink at the Zoo
There is an exuberant atmosphere on the ice during tug-of-war. At the beginning of the 20th century, the ice rink at the zoo was the most important ice skating rink in Berlin. Admission was 15 pfennigs, 20 pfennigs on Sundays with music.
Runways as ice rinks (1929) by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Ice Skating at Tempelhof Airport
Because of the extreme cold and too much snow, air traffic at Tempelhof Central Airport was suspended in the winter of 1929 and opened for ice sports. Berliners enthusiastically use the icy airport apron for ice skating.
"Busch ice rink Wilm." (1925/1930) by Friedrich SeidenstückerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
The Music plays at Busch's Ice Rink
The “old Busch” has made an enterprising effort to create his ice rink on the regularly flooded “Schöneberger Wiesen” at the Tiergarten. He defies the competition next door with a grog stand and the four-man brass band, which fights against the wind with icy instruments.
Ice hockey match between the Berliner Schlittschuh-Klub and the Charlottenburger Sportklub (1921) by Fotograf unbekanntBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Black and white striped Success Story
In the final of the 1920/21 Berlin Ice Hockey City Championship, the Berliner Schlittschuhclub wins against SC Charlottenburg and shortly afterwards becomes German champion. With 19 championship titles, the Berliner Schlittschuhclub is still the German record champion today.
Skiing in front of the Krumme Lanke subway station in Berlin (1931) by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Take the Subway to the Slopes
The Krumme Lanke subway station, which opened in 1929, makes it possible to travel quickly from the city center to the ski area in Grunewald. Whether cross-country skiing, ski jumping or tobogganing, Grunewald is the most popular winter sports destination for Berliners.
At the toboggan run in Grunewald forest (1919/1935) by Fotograf unbekanntBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Tobogganing fun in Grunewald Forest
Crowds on the slopes: young and old have a lot of fun together while tobogganing. As soon as it snows, Berliners set off with their sleighs. There are no real mountains, every hump is used. Climb up for 10 minutes and whiz down for 1 minute. That's fun!
Female sports students during boxing training in the snow (1927) by Fotograf unbekanntBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Boxing is booming
The spirit of the times has also moved into the Prussian University of Physical Training in Spandau and with it the self-confident “New Woman”. The sports students learn boxing, even in 6 degree cold. Before boxing training, the sports teacher checks the boxing gloves.
Ski race around Berlin's Grunewaldsee lake (1921) by Fotograf unbekanntBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Ski Race around Grunewaldsee
Ruth Gützlaff (4th from left), who later won the women's ski race around Berlin's Grunewaldsee lake in 1921, is also at the start. The 11-year-old is the daughter of sports enthusiast and bank director Carl G
The self-made snowman is taken for a ride on the toboggan. (1926) by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
With the Snowman through Berlin
These Berlin brats are clearly having fun and are sledding through Berlin with their beloved snowman. So that their new friend doesn't get cold, they put a hat on his head.
Small ice glider on the Müggelsee by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Sailing on Skates
Skate sailing came into fashion as a sport "for the young men and women of the upper classes in the cities" from 1870. The "First Berlin Ice Skate Sailing Club" organized regattas on Lake Müggelsee, where the riders reached speeds of up to 70 km/h.
Girl and boy with sledge (1929) by Willy RömerBildarchiv der bpk-Bildagentur
Well prepared for the Berlin Winter
With their stylish ski suits made of teddy fabric, these two can play in the snow for hours without getting cold. Today, almost 100 years later, the timeless teddy fabric is back in fashion and can be seen everywhere on Berlin's streets, especially in winter.
Idea, concept, picture selection and texts: Sylvia Hoffmann
Technical support: Stefan Geiser
