Oberhof has two clear seasons and the choice is simple: come in winter for snow sports, or in summer for hiking and the botanical garden.
January through March is the core winter sports season. Snow is reliable at 800 metres and the biathlon and cross-country skiing World Cup events — some of the biggest on the international calendar — draw large crowds. Book well ahead if your visit coincides with a race weekend.
May through October is the summer season. The Rennsteiggarten opens in May, the Rennsteig-Lauf mass-participation running race takes place in May, and the Schneekopf and Rennsteig ridge trails are at their best from June through September. The blossoms festival at Rennsteiggarten falls on the last weekend in June; the harvest festival comes in September. Summer weekends are popular with German domestic tourists.
April and November are shoulder months: quieter, with fewer facilities open, but cheaper and uncrowded. Weather in April can still be cold and wintry at this altitude.