The winter sports area on the Rennsteig is divided into two cross-country skiing areas with the "Rennsteig" ski trail as the connecting element.

The 142 km long Rennsteig" long-distance ski trail runs for 10.4 km (stage 17) through the Spechtsbrunn winter sports area. In the direction of Ernstthal / Neuhaus am Rennweg (another 2 stages with 19.8 km) or in the direction of Steinbach am Wald / Brennersgrün (another 2 stages with 16 km) there are further connection options from the winter sports area via the long-distance ski hiking trail.

Between Brand and Pappenheimer Berg is the highest situated Cross-country skiing area from Spechtsbrunn (part of the town of Sonneberg) in the Thuringian Slate Mountains between 750 and 830 m. The backbone is formed by the "Rennsteig" ski trail with a connection to the Ernstthal or Neuhaus am Rennweg winter sports area to the northwest and the Franconian Forest to the southeast. Via the "Rundloipe am Brand" you have access to the ski trail "Rund um den Pappenheimer Berg" and the "Glühweinloipe". There is also the "Sonnenloipe" practice trail. There is a toboggan slope at Brand and the sunny winter hiking trail between Brand and the skiers' monument can be combined with the winter hiking trail "Skifahrerdenkmal - Bergstation Skilift".

The second Cross-country skiing area is located south-east of Spechtsbrunn at the "Kalte Küche" nature park information point. Between the Cold kitchen and the shield meadow In the Franconian Forest, together with the Tettau cross-country skiing area, there are several cross-country ski trails and ski hiking trails (including the "German Unity" ski hiking trail) at an altitude of between 700 and 750 m. The winter hiking trail Rennsteig - Kalte Küche to Schleifenwiese opens up the winter landscape over 1.4 km.

Alpine ski resorts are located on the northern slope of the Pappenheimer Berg (Ernstthal) and on the eastern slope of the Wildberg (Tettau).

In neighboring Tettau (approx. 3 km) there is the possibility of the Ski rental, service and purchase.