Skiing In Bavaria: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can ski in Bavaria. In fact, the region is home to 257 ski resorts, served by 643 ski lifts, and 809 kilometres of slopes. The Zugspitze resort is Germany's highest ski area, at 2,720 metres, and also the country's number one ski destination. Other top spots include Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics, and the family-friendly Arber, which has 5km of pistes.

Best ski resorts in Bavaria

Although Germany does not attract as many international skiers as other Alpine nations like Switzerland, Austria, and France, there are still plenty of great ski resorts in the country's Bavarian region. Most of the best skiing spots are less than 90 minutes from Munich, making them ideal for those travelling with non-skiers. Here are some of the best ski resorts Bavaria has to offer:

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or "Ga-Pa" as it's nicknamed, is Germany's premier ski resort. It was home to the 1936 Winter Olympics and is situated a short ride by cogwheel train from the base of the Zugspitze, the country's highest mountain at 2,962 meters. The resort spans three ski neighbourhoods: Hausberg, Kreuzeck, and Alpspitze. The most challenging run is The Kandahar, which includes a section known as the "Free Fall" with a 92% gradient.

Bayrischzell

Bayrischzell nestles at the foot of Mount Wendelstein at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. It offers a short but thrilling black run called the Hotelhang, as well as easy access to the Sudelfeld ski area. There are also plenty of cross-country skiing options, with almost 100 km of tracks to explore.

Arber

Arber is a ski area in the Arberland region of Bavaria. It boasts 5 km of pistes, most with snow-making equipment, making it a great choice for downhill enthusiasts. There are also cross-country trails, winter hiking possibilities, and a floodlit toboggan run. Arber is especially family-friendly, with a large area of easy to intermediate slopes and several magic carpets for safe access.

Oberstdorf

Located in the heart of the Allgäu Alps, Oberstdorf offers downhill skiers and snowboarders the chance to ride a recently upgraded gondola to the top of Nebelhorn mountain. At 2,224 meters above sea level, the summit offers remarkable views of around 400 peaks on a clear day. Experienced skiers will enjoy the choice of black runs, including the longest run in Germany, while beginners can start on the Seealpe, linked to the base station by a toboggan run.

Reit im Winkl

Reit im Winkl is located on the Austrian border, offering easy blue slopes on the German side and more challenging red and black runs in the Steinplatte ski area in Austria. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Reit im Winkl also offers snowshoeing, guided hikes, winter running trails, snow tubing, and tobogganing.

Ofterschwang

Ofterschwang is a medium-sized ski resort located about a 20-minute drive north of Oberstdorf. It is best suited to intermediate skiers, but has also hosted the World Cup on occasion. While professionals hurtle down at speed, amateurs can take a more leisurely route and enjoy the views over the Iller Valley. Ofterschwang also offers a kilometre-long sled run and plenty of cross-country trails.

When to visit for the best snow

When to Visit Bavaria for the Best Snow

Bavaria is a great place for skiing and snowboarding, with its challenging runs, excellent snow, and fun après-ski vibes. The best time to visit Bavaria for skiing is in January or February, as the snow cover is more reliable during these months.

The Bavarian Alps are lower than neighbouring ranges, which can make snow cover less reliable. However, artificial snow-making machines are used to overcome this issue. The resorts are generally open from November to Easter, with some staying open later, depending on snowfall.

The Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, offers skiing for seven months of the year. At 2,962 meters (9,717 ft), it is the highlight for skiers in Germany and is accessible by a short ride on the cogwheel train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

For those looking for a more extended season, the Arber area in the Bavarian Forest has snow-making equipment on most of its 5km of pistes. The area is also family-friendly, with easy to intermediate slopes and access made easy by several magic carpets.

If you're an advanced or professional skier, the Oberjoch ski resort area is a great option. With facilities for beginners and children, it caters especially to more experienced skiers, with almost all descents beginning over 1,200m above sea level, ensuring plenty of natural snow.

Bavaria has something for everyone, from challenging runs for experienced skiers to family-friendly slopes and activities. So whether you're a beginner or a pro, plan your trip for January or February to take advantage of the best snow conditions.

Tobogganing, cross-country skiing and hiking

Bavaria offers a plethora of options for tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and hiking.

Tobogganing

Bavaria has numerous toboggan runs for both children and adults. The Arber ski area, for instance, features a floodlit toboggan run. The Hochschwarzeck winter sports resort, located near Berchtesgaden, has a 2.3-km-long toboggan run open from mid-December to the end of March. The Alpsee-Grünten in the Allgäu region offers toboggan trails for adults, with night tobogganing available every Friday and Saturday from 7-10 pm. The Geißkopf resort also offers tobogganing, with lift passes covering both skiing and tobogganing. The resort of Ofterschwang-Gunzesried in the Allgäu Alps features a toboggan slope alongside its ski slopes.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiers will find ideal conditions in Bavaria, with thousands of kilometres of trails to choose from. The Chiemgau 3-Lakes Cross-Country Trail, for instance, offers a scenic highlight with its glistening snow, forests, and lakes. The Allgäu WM-Loipe Oberstdorf is another recommended easy route. The Bodenmais-Bretterschachten cross-country skiing centre in the Bavarian Forest features an 18-km main trail. The Tegernsee-Schliersee Kloo-Ascher-Runde Bayrischzell is a moderate route through the romantic Kloo-Aschertal. The Zugspitze Region also offers a circular cross-country ski route between Ettal and Ettal Mill.

Hiking

Hiking trails in Bavaria offer a chance to admire the region's beautiful winter landscape. The Zugspitze area, in particular, boasts over 100 winter hikes, allowing hikers to discover, admire, and enjoy nature. The Christmas forest hike and the night-time tour through snow-covered mountains are among the options. The more than 30 thermal spas in Bavaria also offer opportunities for relaxation, with some providing unique experiences like snow saunas or ice baths in natural swimming lakes during the winter.

Getting to ski resorts in Bavaria

Bavaria is home to many ski resorts, most of which are less than 90 minutes from Munich. The best ski resorts in Bavaria are popular year-round leisure destinations for Germans and visitors. The Bavarian Alps, with their craggy peaks, overlook quaint mountain resort towns such as Mittenwald and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The five largest ski resorts in Bavaria are:

• Ofterschwang-Gunzesried
• Nesselwang
• Ochsenkopf
• Garmisch-Classic
• Zugspitze

Ofterschwang-Gunzesried

The Ofterschwang-Gunzesried ski resort is located in Sonthofen, just a few kilometres from the well-known winter sports resort in Oberstdorf. The resort offers 18 kilometres of slopes for both beginners and advanced skiers, as well as a long cross-country trail, hiking paths, a snowshoe park, a toboggan slope, and a ski area for children. The nearest train station is Sonthofen Station.

Nesselwang

Nesselwang is a paradise for freestylers, snowboarders, and slopestylers, with its creative and challenging obstacles. The resort offers wide family slopes, a black run, and a mogul slope. It also has floodlights for night skiing and snowboarding. The nearest train station is Nesselwang Railway Station.

Ochsenkopf

Ochsenkopf is located in the Fichtel mountains and offers easy and moderate runs, with ten kilometres of slopes, pistes with floodlights, a snowboard park, and a night-time cross-country ski trail. The nearest train station is Bayreuth Main Station.

Garmisch-Classic

The Garmisch-Classic ski resort offers 40 kilometres of pistes and four snow-covered valley runs. It is suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. The resort also features a freestyle park for skiers and snowboarders. The nearest train station is Garmisch-Partenkirchen Train Station.

Zugspitze

Zugspitze is Germany's highest mountain and offers skiing for seven months of the year. There are 22 kilometres of pistes for beginning and advanced skiers, as well as a challenging 3-kilometre-long Super-G course. The resort is accessible by cogwheel train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Bavarian food

Yes, you can ski in Bavaria! The state is known for its picturesque landscapes and its hearty cuisine. So, after a day on the slopes, you can look forward to some delicious Bavarian food.

If you're a vegetarian, don't worry—there are plenty of meat-free options to enjoy in Bavaria too. Sauerkraut, a popular side dish made of finely-shredded, fermented cabbage, is found all over Germany. But the Bavarian version, Blaukraut, includes onions, pork fat, and grated apple. Another tasty vegetarian option is Käsespätzle, made with layers of spätzle (a type of noodle made with a batter of eggs and flour) and grated cheese.

For dessert, you might want to try Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). This sweet treat consists of fine sheets of dough (strudel) filled with apple mousse or apple chunks and baked until crisp, usually served with a dollop of thick cream and a coffee. Or, if you're feeling really indulgent, go for the Triple Chocolate Bavarian Cream Cake, made with a chocolate cake base and layers of white, milk, and dark chocolate Bavarian cream filling, topped with chocolate ganache.

So, whether you're a meat lover, a vegetarian, or a sweet tooth, you're sure to find something to tantalize your taste buds in Bavaria!

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