Skiing in Bavaria

Germany is a true winter sports paradise. In this article we will show you the 10 best ski areas in Bavaria, the largest federal state in Germany, and introduce you to selected destinations for a family holiday in Bavaria.

There are many magnificent ski areas in Bavaria. Discover the ten best ski resorts for a family vacation. After a long day of skiing and snowboarding, return to your holiday home or holiday apartment, because it is always more comfortable in your own four walls, directly on the slopes. You and your loved ones will enjoy your vacation surrounded by mountains and snow and share the most beautiful experiences of the day with others.

1. Zugspitze, Upper Bavaria

The Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany and also offers skiers and snowboarders a beautiful and extensive ski area on and around Germany's only glacier. The Zugspitze offers perfect snow conditions until late spring. Natural snow is the order of the day here, there is no artificial snow. But that's not necessary, because it's almost 3.There is rarely snow at an altitude of 000 meters.

The ski area extends from 2.000 to 2.720 meters above sea level and can be reached by the cog railway that ends at the Zugspitzblatt station, or by two cable cars: the spectacular Zugspitzbahn, which goes to the 2nd.962 meter high summit, and the glacier railway, which leaves from the same place as the cog railway. Almost 20 kilometers of slopes, 7 of which are easy and 13 of medium difficulty, are now ahead of you. By the way, there is also a ski rental right next to the glacier ski area.

The Zugspitzblatt offers wide and mostly easy slopes. There are many options for freeriders, and on deep snow days you should start early. However, due to the location of the glacier, the area is not entirely safe, so local and specialist knowledge is helpful.

Skiing with children on the Zugspitze

Families will find an excellent ski area in Garmisch-Partenkirchen with the Garmisch Classic ski area, but the little ones will also feel at home on the Zugspitze. The T-lifts on the glacier are particularly suitable, while the flat slopes at the highest point of the ski area, the Schneefernerkopf, offer good conditions for beginners and children.

Tobogganing on the Zugspitze

On the Zugspitze you will find a toboggan rental, a family toboggan run, three runs for advanced skiers and two lifts for toboggan fans. Tobogganing fun is guaranteed on the Schneefernerkopf toboggan run, the Sonnenkar toboggan run down to Weißental and the Wetterwandeck toboggan run.

Mountain accommodation on the Zugspitze

On Germany's highest mountain you can enjoy traditional Bavarian cuisine or light dishes with an international touch in the SonnAlpin glacier restaurant, the Gletschergarten restaurant, thegipfelalm or the Panorama Lounge 2962. There is definitely something for everyone here.

The Zugspitzbahn

Since the end of 2017, the modern Zugspitzbahn has been connecting the highest mountain in the country. The planning and construction of this unique project took a total of six years. Two high-performance glass gondolas each offer space for up to 120 people and transport up to 580 guests per hour to the summit without waiting. In doing so, they surpass the world's tallest steel construction support for aerial tramways (127 meters), and overcome the largest overall height difference of 1.945 meters worldwide, in a single section and the world's longest free span of 3.213 meters.

2. Sudelfeld, Upper Bavaria

The Sudelfeld ski paradise is one of the largest ski areas in Germany. The ski area is about 80 km south of Munich, Rosenheim is only 40 km away. An impressive mountain backdrop and wide meadow slopes characterize the picture.

Sudelfeld - one of the most modern and largest ski areas in Germany

At Sudelfeld you can discover 31 kilometers of slopes. Since the 2014/2015 season, the Sudelfeld has undergone a lot of modernization and investment: the 6-seater Waldkopf chairlift, new storage ponds and snow-making systems, an 8-seater chairlift in Grafenherberg, which connects it with the Sudelfeldkopf: the expansion of the Sudelfeld has cost many millions and was not without controversy in southern Germany.

However, the investment has a lot of good things for skiers: there is guaranteed snow and the range of slopes is one of the best in Germany. The ski area is particularly suitable for families and beginners, but professionals can also let off steam on the challenging slopes of the Waldkopf (FIS Snowboard World Cup route) and the Rosengasse.

Rustic accommodation in the mountains and easy access

At Sudelfeld, comfort and relaxed skiing fun are the top priority, not least thanks to the many rustic mountain inns. The Sudelfeld ski bus takes guests directly from the train station to the ski area. In addition, there are 2.500 free and unobstructed parking spaces. Professional and efficient ski schools with courses for "small children", beginners and advanced skiers as well as the Sudelfeld Action World with snow park and freeride cross round off the offering at Sudelfeld. In the Lower Sudelfeld, near the new Waldkopf valley station, the new, easily accessible SNUKI children's area and the Bayrischzell winter adventure park await the little ones.

Snowpark Sudelfeld

The Sudelfeld action world attracts all freestylers, freeriders and ambitious athletes. The Sudelfeld snow park in the Wedellift mountain resort is equipped with a kicker, an easy and a jib line, numerous jumps, kickers, rails and obstacles. There is a relaxation area at the foot of the park.

Freeridecross is unique in Germany, a route with tight curves, waves, but also jumps and drops. The route, which consists of two sections and overcomes a height difference of 300 meters over a length of 850 meters, is located in the hotel lift.

3. Brauneck-Wegscheid, Upper Bavaria

The Brauneck-Wegscheid ski area is less than an hour's drive south of Munich. The town in the Lenggrieser Valley has developed into Munich's "local mountain" and is home to ski stars such as Andreas and Martina Ertl as well as Annemarie, Michaela and Hilde Gerg.

This winter sports paradise in the magnificent Isarwinkel stretches from Wegscheid to Lenggries and is known for its varied slopes and numerous rustic huts. The little ones are in good hands on their skiing holiday in the professional ski schools and playgrounds, while the "bigger" skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the slopes up to 1.Explore 700 meters.

Brauneck-Wegscheid ski area

The starting point is usually the valley station of the Brauneck mountain railway, which you can take in one train to 1.500 meters altitude. This is where path no. This is where path no. 1, which leads back to Brauneck, one of the most beautiful but also one of the most difficult paths in the region. You can also eat well and enjoy a unique view in the panoramic restaurant at the mountain station. If you continue towards Latschenkopf, you will mainly find red slopes and lifts and several beautiful alpine huts where you can stop off, such as the Quenger Alm, the Finstermünzalm or the Stie Alm at the entrance to the Idealhang lift. There are a total of 34 kilometers of slopes and 22 runs to discover here, making it one of the five largest ski areas in Germany.

Skiing with the family

There are three children's ski areas around Lenggries, where families with their children are in good hands. In the KinderSkiZirkus Villa Lustig on the Jaudenpiste and in the KinderSchneeLand on the Draxlpiste, children can practice their first turns under the guidance of local ski instructors. Conveyor belts and lifts allow easy and comfortable access to the flat slopes. Former racing runner Michi Gerg's ski school runs another children's area right at the valley station of the Brauneck mountain railway.

Skiing in the light / Skiing at night at Brauneck

As soon as the snow conditions permit, night skiing is offered on the Streidlhang near the valley station of the Brauneck Bergbahn every evening from Wednesday to Saturday (7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.).

New from winter 2019/2020

Wallberg- und Brauneckbahnen GmbH has replaced the older Finstermünzbahn, a double chairlift from 1976, with the more modern 6-seater chairlift from LEITNER, which has a weatherproof roof, heated seats, an automatic lock and a height-adjustable conveyor belt for a safe and comfortable entry for children. The new Schrödelsteinbahn - that's the name - will be 2.It will be able to transport 400 people per hour, which will significantly shorten the waiting times at the bottleneck between Bayernhang and Florihang. Snowmaking will also be extended to the slopes of the Finstermünzkessel. The water used comes from the storage pond in Garland built in 2012.

The Brauneck Bergbahn is a member of the AlpenPlus ski pass network: With one ski pass you can visit four ski areas south of Munich.

4. Ochsenkopf, Fichtelgebirge

The Ochsenkopf ski area, whose summit lies south of Bischofsgrün in northern Bavaria, is a popular holiday destination in the Fichtelgebirge with its two long and attractive main runs. The 2.300 meter long (snow-covered) north run and the 1.The 900-meter-long southern run of the Ochsenkopf is one of the longest slopes in northern Bavaria. The south run is slightly easier and flatter, while the north run is of medium difficulty. Two modern chair lifts take skiers from the two valley stations of Bischofsgrün and Fleckl, i.e. from the north and south, to the summit. This is the second highest peak in northern Bavaria. The Asenturm with a restaurant and a radio tower is located on the Ochsenkopf.

In addition to the chair lifts, there are numerous smaller lifts around the Ochsenkopf, ideal for beginners. The two valley stations have 150 to 180 m long lifts and the lifts in Klausen, Bleaml-Alm or Oberwarmensteinach are not far away.

Winter hiking and cross-country skiing in the Fichtelgebirge

The Fichtelgebirge is an interesting holiday region, especially for hikers and cross-country skiers. At the Ochsenkopf you will find a variety of cross-country ski trails (classic and skating trails, from easy to very difficult): especially at higher altitudes, there are fantastic views and panoramas, and various connecting trails enable new combinations. A very special experience is the snow-covered and illuminated 2.5 km long running track in the Bleaml Alm biathlon and winter sports center in Fichtelberg / Neubau. Hikers will find groomed winter hiking trails, challenging routes and extensive snowshoe trails that characterize the beautiful landscape around the Ochsenkopf adventure mountain.

Tobogganing on the Ochsenkopf

There are several toboggan runs and trails on the Ochsenkopf that offer excellent tobogganing opportunities. At the Lattalift you can toboggan over a length of 140 m, at the Fleckl-Südtalstation the slope is 150 m. The Ochsenkopf toboggan run is also very popular. The Grassemann / Fleckl natural toboggan run (one kilometer long) and the Bleaml Alm toboggan run are also very popular.

You can also ice skate or curling at the Bischofsgrün ice skating rink. In summer, the Ochsenkopf is particularly popular with mountain bikers who use the many downhill trails in the large bike park.

5. Rossfeld Oberau, Upper Bavaria

The Rossfeld Oberau ski area is located directly on the German-Austrian border in Berchtesgadener Land. Four lifts provide access to several slopes and a ski and boardercross route. For the 2016/2017 season, the cable car was replaced by a new 240 meter long "family lift". Two new practice slopes were created to the left and right of the family lift, as well as a direct descent to the Liftstüberl

Families in particular feel comfortable on the natural snow slopes at Rossfeld. The slopes are mostly flat and easy to ski on. A highlight: When the snow conditions are good, you can ski down from an altitude of almost 1,600 meters to Oberau (750 m), a descent of almost six kilometers through the most beautiful nature. You can also go to the nearby Zinken ski area. There is a ski bus between Oberau and Rossfeld, and the Oberau-Rossfeld-Zinken ski pass covers a total of 15 kilometers of slopes.

Skiing with lights is also possible on the Rossfeld, and the hut offers the best après-ski until the evening. The Rossfeldhütte and the Liftstüberl in the Großes Lifttal ski area ensure your physical well-being. The sun terraces with a wonderful panoramic view of the Berchtesgaden Alps, especially the Watzmann and the Austrian Northern Alps, invite you to linger.

Ski tours in Rossfeld

The Rossfeld is also a popular cross-country skiing area in Berchtesgaden. Using the DAV-marked trails, you climb on easy, partly groomed trails from Oberau to the Rossfeld summit pass. The descent takes place via the valley trail. On the hut/tour evenings, you can use the slopes until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please observe the ski area's traffic regulations.

Winter hiking

There are also hiking opportunities in Rossfeld. The winter hiking trail begins at the parking lot of the summit path, which leads to the summit cross, and continues over the ridge to the Rossfeld Panorama Road. The top section along the Hahnenkamm leads to the next parking lot. From there a path leads to the Ahornbüchsenkopf or the Ahornkaser car park. (Round trip approx. one hour).

6. Hündle and Imberg mountain railway, Allgäu

The Steibis - Imbergbahn is part of the extensive ski offer for winter tourists around Oberstaufen in the Allgäu. Oberstaufen lies between Lake Constance and Immenstadt and offers the Hündle and Hochgrat ski areas and the family-friendly Steibis ski area. Twelve lifts and gondolas provide access to around 18 kilometers of slopes, from easy to difficult.

In Steibis the Imbergbahn, a comfortable cable car, takes you to the Imberghaus. From here, several blue slopes lead down into the valley to various lifts, and the Imberghaus also offers a large sun terrace. The mountain station is used as a starting point for your descents at the foot of the Eineguntkopf (1638m) and the Falken (1561m). Thanks to the modern snowmaking system, this ski area is also well equipped for winters with little snow.

Lifts in the Steibis ski area

Apart from the Imbergbahn, Steibis GmbH & Co KG only operates lifts on the ski slopes. An exception is the Fluhexpress, a 6-seater chairlift with heated seats, which opens up a difficult slope on the edge of the ski area. The other lifts are: Bärenlochlift, Fuchskarlift, Nordlift, Fehrlift, Kirchhanglift, Imberglift, Schindelberglift, Dreistarlift, Hochbühllift and Hohenegglift.

Family skiing on the Steibis slope (Imberg).

For the little ones there is a children's ski area at the mountain station and a school area with a conveyor belt, magic carpet, teepee and much more. It is very sunny and sheltered from the wind. Of course, you can also take advantage of the ski schools that look after your little ones. The slope can be clearly seen from the terrace of the Imberghaus, which is ideal for parents. It is also ideal for beginners: If the children's area is too "boring" for you, you can go straight to the family run, which is quite easy to manage.

Snow Park Steibis

The little ones can relax in the Hohenegglift amusement park and have fun on various ramps, slides and obstacles.

Imberg toboggan run

If you like tobogganing, the night toboggan run on Imberg is the perfect mix of hut fun and tobogganing in a special atmosphere. Every Saturday evening from 6 p.m. the two-lane, fast toboggan run starts in the valley and the run is illuminated. The toboggan run can be reached by cable car and starts directly below the mountain station. From here you can go down into the valley and get on the gondola for the next toboggan run. You can rent a sledge from Sport Hauber at the valley station, and if you need a break, you can fortify yourself in the Imberghaus.

Winter hiking in Oberstaufen am Imberg

Steibis offers a variety of hikes for winter hikers. For example, you can hike from the valley via Alp Hochbühl and Alp Glutschwanden to Hörmoos and back. The walking time is around 3.5 hours. If you have a little more strength and time, you can hike a little further to the Falkenhütte. The hike through Alp Hochbühl in Oberstieg to the valley station of the Hochgratbahn is also exciting. The return journey is by bus, as the outward journey alone takes around 3.5 hours.

The Oberstaufen ski pass

With the Oberstaufen ski pass you can use all lifts in the Steibis ski area, including the Hochgrat, Hündlebahn or Thalkirchdorf lifts.

7. Alpspitz / Edelsberg - Nesselwang

Snowboarders and freestylers pay attention, the Alpspitzbahn built the first illuminated park in Germany a few years ago and therefore has know-how that you won't find anywhere else. Added to this are the cheap ticket prices, the short waiting times at the lifts and the lack of stress.

Nesselwang is a traditional winter sports resort with more than a hundred years of skiing history. The slopes around the Alpspitze (1575 m) guarantee winter sports enthusiasts of all skill levels fun in the snow day and night.

The ski area above Nesselwang (900 m) offers well-groomed family slopes, a FUN park and a slope with a permanent speed display. Young winter sports enthusiasts learn the basics of skiing in a specially created children's area with a fairytale forest and a special children's lift. Snowboarders can enjoy various kickers, rails, jumps, etc. in the summit-shaped Alpspitzpark (lit until 9 p.m.). let off steam. The technical equipment of the ski area is also impressive. Numerous snow cannons and lances ensure reliable snowmaking even on the warmest winter days. One of the most innovative developments in the region is the Alpspitz Kombibahn 2, which runs from the main station to the mountain station with an 8-seater gondola and a 4-seater chairlift on a single cable.

The Alpspitz ski area has been awarded the title of TESTED SKI AREA, through an initiative by the (SIS) Safety in Skiing, the (DSV) German Ski Association, the Friends of Ski Sports (FdS) in collaboration with the Association of German Cable Cars and T-bar lifts (VDS). The award is given to slopes and cable cars that are in excellent condition. The award is given for three years and compliance with the test criteria is monitored during this period.

With three ski lifts and a chairlift, as well as two gondolas and two people movers, the Alpspitz ski area promises fairly quick transport to the slopes with a capacity of 3.800 people per hour. Beginners and recreational skiers will find the best conditions and perfectly groomed slopes here.

8. Oberjoch, Allgäu

From Bad Hindelang you can reach the Oberjoch and its ski area in just a few minutes via a series of serpentines. The Bad Hindelang mountain railways near Oberjoch offer you a modern ski area with more than 30 kilometers of slopes. On the Iseler, on over 1.At an altitude of 200 meters, it is one of the safest ski areas in Germany. In addition to the predominantly red (medium difficulty) slopes through the idyllic forests below the Iseler (1,886 meters) and the Kühgund (1,907 meters), numerous cross-country ski trails also invite you to a winter holiday.

Modern ski lifts, such as the 8-person Silla-Schwandenbahn or the Iselerbahn, lead to the slopes. A varied ski area with difficult and easy slopes awaits holidaymakers there; Oberjoch also has a mogul slope and a family run. The fun doesn't have to stop in the evening, because during the week guests can enjoy night skiing in Oberjoch. With the SuperSchnee-Card, Allgäu Glacier Card or Verbund Vitales Land ski passes, you can visit other ski areas in addition to the Oberjocher facilities at a special price with one ski pass.

Cross-country skiing in Bad Hindelang/Oberjoch

In addition to skiing, the Oberjoch holiday resort also offers an extensive network of cross-country trails. Cross-country skiers will find a total of 38 kilometers of medium and easy trails in Hinterstein, Dad Hindelang, Unterjoch and Oberjoch. The longest route is the Schwandenrunde near Unterjoch with a length of nine kilometers.

Winter hiking, tobogganing and snowshoeing in Bad Hindelang

There are three toboggan runs at the Bad Hindelanger Hornbahn, each about 3.5 kilometers long. The Hornbahn winter hiking area is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. And the best thing is that you can reach everything in Oberjoch on foot - you can leave your car behind.

Snowshoe hikers will find many worthwhile excursion destinations around Bad Hindelang. For example, you can try the Wertacher Hörnle (1.684 m, 2.5 hours Ascent), the Iseler Platz Hut (1.520 m, 1.5 hours ascent), the Tiefenbacher Eck (1.525 m, 2.5 hours ascent) or the Hirschalpe (1.625 m, 2 hours Ascent) provided they have the necessary knowledge and skills.

Snow Park Oberjoch

If you take the Iselerbahn up, you will see the Oberjoch mini snow park. Here you will find a lounge area with loungers and armchairs, several table football tables, various obstacles and finally a large inflatable mattress (11x15m) for jumping.

Oberjoch ski school

Oberjoch has a good offer for families with the “Schneekinderland” ski school. You will find the children's area directly at the valley station of the Oberjocher Bergbahnen. On 20.000 m², there is a large activity and learning area, a fantasy and play area and a fairytale forest with its animals. The adventure park offers different terrains for learning to ski or snowboard in a playful way.

9. Garmisch Classic, Upper Bavaria

The ski area of ​​Garmisch Partenkirchen, operated by Garmisch-Classic, is one of the best-known and most popular in Germany. Located at the foot of Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze, Garmisch Partenkirchen is one of the country's rare traditional winter sports resorts. The Alpine World Ski Championships were held here, many famous winter athletes were born here and, after all, Garmisch is the venue for the infamous Kandahar downhill run and a ski jump as part of the Four Hills Tournament every year. The fact that winter is the dominant season here is also evident in the twin towns: Chamonix (FRA), Aspen/Colorado and Lahti (FIN), the three well-known winter sports resorts are connected to Garmisch Partenkirchen.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located at 707 meters above sea level and offers three accesses to the Garmisch Classic area, with a total of 40 kilometers of slopes. The Hausbergbahn, the Kreuzeckbahn and the Alpspitzbahn, which reach the highest point of the ski area at Osterfelderkopf (2.050 m) are located near the town. Of course the Zugspitze is even higher, but the ski area there is not directly connected to Garmisch Classic.

How do I get to Garmisch Partenkirchen?

Garmisch Partenkirchen is easy to reach by car and train. Coming from the north, the A95 leads a few kilometers before Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The last section of the route is the B2, which leads to Mittenwald (Dammkar) and Seefeld in Tirol. From the southwest, the B23, which comes from Austria via the Tyrolean Zugspitzarena, leads to Garmisch Partenkirchen.

Garmisch Partenkirchen has a train station. Which is well connected. ICE trains from Berlin, the Ruhr area or Frankfurt run regularly to Garmisch without having to change trains. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also easily accessible from Munich by bus. In winter, many bus companies offer trips to the Zugspitze.

Winter vacation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

In addition to the ski areas, a ski holiday in southern Upper Bavaria naturally offers many other leisure options. Cross-country skiing is particularly popular: around 28 kilometers of cross-country ski trails are available free of charge. For example, the three-kilometer route between the local mountain and the ski jump is particularly easy. Anyone looking for a challenge will find their tracks in the Kaltenbrunn cross-country skiing center, which also has a snow-making system and floodlights.

Tobogganing is also possible in Garmisch, with a 1.8 km long toboggan run on the Grasberg from St. Moritz Hütte. In addition to families and sports enthusiasts, one of the main target groups of the place are older people. Of course, they will not only find suitable accommodation here, but also, for example, 110 kilometers of barrier-free winter hiking trails. There is something for everyone, regardless of age and fitness level.

If you feel like ice skating or curling after skiing or instead of skiing, you can also do this in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The Olympic Ice Sports Center is available for ice sports activities five days a week in the winter.

10. Spitzingsee-Tegernsee, Upper Bavaria

The popular ski resort on the idyllic Spitzingsee (1.085 m) is only 70 kilometers south of Munich and offers ideal winter sports opportunities for all day guests and tourists. Young, snow-sure and modern - this is how Spitzingsee-Tegernsee presents itself to its guests. New generation snowmaking systems and the exposed location on Roßkopf and Stümpfling, between 1.100 and 1.600 meters, guarantee you fun on the slopes from the beginning of December to the end of March.

A day of skiing in Spitzingsee-Tegernsee

A day of skiing in Spitzingsee begins with the drag lift or the Stümpfling 4-seater chairlift, which leads directly to the ski area. A toll road leads from Rottach-Egern am Tegernsee to the valley station of the 4-seater Sutten chairlift and then to the entrance to the almost 20 kilometers of slopes in the ski area. If you want to save yourself the toll and the search for a parking space, you can take the free ski bus from Rottach-Egern.

The terrain around the Stümpfling is very good for beginners, advanced skiers and families. Experienced skiers take the double chairlift to the Roßkopf and start on the short but challenging Roßkopf piste or the long black Grünsee piste. The cozy ski slopes of the east slope and north slope lifts are extensive.

The Spitzingsee Alpine Railways are a member of the AlpenPlus ski pass and lift association. This means that with one pass you can use five ski areas and ski 160 kilometers of slopes.

Fun run instead of snow park

Unfortunately, the snow park at Spitzingsee was closed for the 2018/2019 season and replaced by a fun slope. The Untere Firstalm now houses small boxes, table football and a wave track. Like many others in Bavaria, the ski area is driving away hardcore freestylers in favor of families.

Ski tours at Spitzingsee

For several years now, the Taubenstein area has been reserved exclusively for cross-country skiers. The Taubenstein cable car is only in operation in the summer months, so the mountain to the east of Spitzingsee can only be explored on foot. There are several designated routes here, you are outside the organized ski area and are on your own.The Summit Stüberl and the Taubensteinhaus also offer afternoon tours on weekdays.

Cross-country skiing at Spitzingsee

Cross-country skiers will find the two-kilometer-long Heimatsau trail directly on the shore of Lake Spitzingsee. The Valepp cross-country ski trail (7 km) also starts at the parking lot and leads past the Alte Wurzhütte and the Albert-Link-Hütte.

Illuminated skiing at Spitzingsee

Night skiing takes place every Thursday and Friday at the Stümpfling chairlift from 6 p.m.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.30 p.m. Night ski courses are also offered and the Alm Lyra at the valley station is open for refreshments.