Ski Germany

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Ski German powder at the spectacular Zugspitze.
Ski German powder at the spectacular Zugspitze.
Ski resorts in Germany have world class lift facilities.
Ski resorts in Germany have world class lift facilities.
Ski Garmisch Classic resort, Germany
Ski Garmisch Classic resort, Germany's best known skiing area & for good reason!
Access to Germany
Access to Germany's best ski resorts is easy & convenient.
The train line to Garmisch Classic & Zugspitze is one of the best on the world
The train line to Garmisch Classic & Zugspitze is one of the best on the world
Lovely piste trails at Mittenwald ski area Germany
Lovely piste trails at Mittenwald ski area Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle in winter is amazing near the Tegelberg ski area
Neuschwanstein Castle in winter is amazing near the Tegelberg ski area
Diverse terrain at Brauneck above Lenggries is typical for German ski resorts near the Austrian border
Diverse terrain at Brauneck above Lenggries is typical for German ski resorts near the Austrian border
Modern lifts & reliable snow at Zugspitze Germany
Modern lifts & reliable snow at Zugspitze Germany
The combined Austro-German Winklmoosalm & Steinplatte is one of several cross border ski areas
The combined Austro-German Winklmoosalm & Steinplatte is one of several cross border ski areas
The major town of Garmisch is a fun German ski resort base
The major town of Garmisch is a fun German ski resort base
Garmisch Classic has Germany
Garmisch Classic has Germany's best top to bottom ski trails
Breitenberg ski area provides glorious panoramas & skiing above Steinach in southern Germany
Breitenberg ski area provides glorious panoramas & skiing above Steinach in southern Germany
Glacier skiing on Zugspitze is wonderful for progressing beginners
Glacier skiing on Zugspitze is wonderful for progressing beginners
Germany
Germany's Zugspitze summit is an incredible experience in the depths of winter
Exceptional learn to ski terrain & facilities on Hausberg at Garmisch Classic resort
Exceptional learn to ski terrain & facilities on Hausberg at Garmisch Classic resort
Partenkichen is the better half of Garmisch for its traditional ambiance....
Partenkichen is the better half of Garmisch for its traditional ambiance....
The Iglu Bar on Zugspitze is breathtaking & a superb refuge in a storm
The Iglu Bar on Zugspitze is breathtaking & a superb refuge in a storm
Partenkirchen is the place to stay when skiing Germany
Partenkirchen is the place to stay when skiing Germany's best resorts
Be there first to watch the sun come out when skiing Germany after a blizzard on Zugspitze
Be there first to watch the sun come out when skiing Germany after a blizzard on Zugspitze

Ski Germany

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Ski Germany

Ski and snowboard Germany (Deutschland) & explore a surprising range of resorts including the expansive and surprisingly snowy Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal, wonderful Garmisch Classic and spectacular Zugspitze.

Skiing German resorts is as fun as anywhere in the world on its day and there is terrain for beginners, intermediates, advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders alike. The way to get to the best German (& Austrian) ski resort is via the outstanding airport at Munich in Bavaria.

Germany Skiing & Snowboarding

Ski resorts in Germany can best be described as small, with perhaps five exceptions. Statistically though, the top-5 ski resorts in Australia (that's Australia not Austria) are more than twice the size of the top-5 in Germany. Whilst that is not a great stat for German skiing, it may go to show that size is not everything and you have to make the most of what you have got. In Germany that means cosying hard-up against the rising mountains along the Austrian border & occasionally linking into the lift infrastructure of Austrian ski resorts. Perhaps skiing in Germany is best served as an entree to the main course in Austria?

The quintessential German ski town of Garmisch Partenkirchen is ground zero for skiing in Deutschland. The nation's largest standalone ski resort, Garmisch Classic, has World Cup standard piste trails. Nearby is Germany's highest peak, the looming Zugspitze (2,962m). The small ski resort of the same name is the nation's highest and most snow sure, topping out at 2,720m. Both ski resorts are connecting to Garmisch Partenkirchen by trains, cable cars, gondolas and funicular. Two cable cars make the journey up to the Zugspitze summit on the German side and another comes up from the Austrian side. The ski resort is away from the summit in a northerly aspect glacier bowl. The glacier on Zugspitze is rapidly disappearing, so go there sooner rather than later.

The second largest standalone ski area in Germany is Winklmoosalm which is linked with Steinplatte in Austria. Located north of Kitzbühel, most of the resort is actually in Austria, but hey, it is linked by lift, piste and pass so we will let the Germans claim it! Closest major German town is Reit-im-Winkl.

Near the city of Oberstdorf in the far southwest of Bavaria, a nest of ski resorts are linked to a very snowy Austrian ski area enclave called the Kleinwalsertal. Located just north of the Austrian Vorarlberg snow magnets of Warth-Schroecken and Damuels, the area is worthy of exploration (noting that Kleinwalsertal is not accessible from the rest of Austria by road in winter, and access is via Germany). Ski resorts near Oberstdorf include Fellhorn and Nebelhorn. Both resorts have long skiable verticals. Nebelhorn (or Foghorn in English, but don’t call it that!) has over 1,400m of skiable vertical from its 2,224m summit all the way down into Oberstdorf, a run of nearly 8km; the longest in Germany. Oberstdorf is accessible by train from Munich airport in around 3½hr or car in 2½hr; or from Zurich airport in around 3hr by train.

Another ski area worthy of mention is Brauneck near the lovely Bavarian town of Lenggries, 2hr by train south of Munich airport. Brauneck ski resort has nearly 1,000m of vertical amongst classic Bavarian mountain landscapes.

And of course, nothing get the tourist juices flowing more than the inspiration for Walt Disney's fable castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle). Located west of Garmisch Partenkirchen near the town of Schwangau. it so happens that one ski here as well. The Tegelberg has 900m of skiable vertical right near the fairytale castle.

Where are German Ski Resorts?

All the quality German ski resorts are in Bavaria (Bayern) to the south of the country along the border with Austria. The main international gateway airport to Bavaria is Munich (MUC). Several smaller regional airports service flights from within Europe and the UK, but Munich accepts flights from worldwide origins.

Flights into Munich Airport (MUC)

Munich International Airport (MUC) is rated as one of the world’s best. It receives a vast number of flights every day from worldwide destinations. Search here for a great deal on a flight to Munich.

Munich airport is well served by an efficient train transport system which links quickly with train services to German ski resorts such as Garmisch & Zugspitze, plus skiing hubs like Austria’s Innsbruck & Salzburg. Search & book train tickets from Munich to all points in the Alps.

We usually recommend taking the train from Munich to a point closer to your ski destination, from where a private transfer may be useful. For fast & efficient transfers from airports train station & hotels to ski resorts, compare options on our Munich Airport <--> Ski Resort Transfers page.

German Ski Resort Reviews

The Powderhounds reviewed the German ski resorts of Zugspitze and Garmisch Classic early in 2019 and will do a few sneaky little resorts if the snow is good over the next few seasons. More information on skiing in Germany will come eventually, so hang on to your bratwurst!!

See how the German ski resorts compare to the rest of the Europe on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Arlberg Slopes Safari
PRIVATE ON-PISTE SKI SAFARI
1 Full Day
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Discover the best on-piste slopes in the Austrian Arlberg on a ski safari through St Anton, Lech, Stuben, Zurs & Warth Schroecken. A full day's skiing & care-free exploration led by a certified mountain guide/ski instructor. Get your own group of 3 to 6 people together for a fully private customised tour ...
Price p/p From price based on a group of 3 people on an 1-day tour.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
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USD 137
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Three Country European Ski Trip
PRIVATE MULTI-DAY SKI & SIGHTSEEING TOUR
10 Days | 9 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Make the ultimate alpine getaway with a three-country ski trip across Europe. This holiday package includes stops in top ski resorts across Germany, Austria, and Italy, making for a truly unforgettable European skiing experience. Get your own group of 2 or more together for a fully private customised tour ....
Price p/p From price based on a 10-day private tour.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 4,464
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Germany here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Guide & Ride Private Off-Piste Freeride Powder Tour
PRIVATE GUIDED POWDER SKI TOUR
1 Full Day Skiing near Innsbruck
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Enjoy the best snow & terrain in the ski resorts near Innsbruck in the Austrian Tirol with a professional guide on this fully customised private off-piste freeride ski tour. Go solo or get a group together & book in for your best dates & duration....
Price p/p Based on a 1-day tour with minimum 4 people
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc. taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 185
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Freeriding the Arlberg
PRIVATE OFF-PISTE FREERIDE SINGLE DAY SKI TOUR
1 Full Day
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Using ski lifts, skins & local buses, be guided to the best off-piste powder & freeride terrain in the Austrian Arlberg. Explore St Anton, Lech, Stuben, Zurs or Warth Schroecken. A full day's skiing led by a certified mountain guide/ski instructor. Get a group of 3 to 6 people together for a private customised tour ...
Price p/p From price based on a group of 3 people on an 1-day tour.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 190
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See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Germany here