Skiing in Germany – Best ski resorts
Ski holiday in Germany? Yes, there is so much more to this stunning than you might initially think. The best ski resorts in Germany are waiting for you for fantastic family adventures, friends trip and much more.
What do you think of when you think of Germany? Culture, architecture, Oktoberfest perhaps? Certainly, we have all heard of the Black Forest and the fact that Germany is home to some captivating nature and maybe even some of Europe’s most stunning mountains… It’s certainly up there on the list. Sadly, If you aren’t a German national, we don’t think of skiing when we think of this remarkable country. But we are here to tell you … You should!
Why you should consider Germany as a skiing destination
Germany may not be home to the most insane freeride routes like France; or the most raucous apres-ski like Austria or even be internationally renowned for cuisine like Italy. But what ski resorts in Germany do offer, really sells… Cost-effective, stunning, friendly and perfectly suited to families of all ages or chill ski holidays with friends. If you want the peace and quiet of gorgeous mountains with your friends without breaking the bank or a ski resort that puts family convenience first, look no further. We put together the best resorts for skiing in Germany to help find the destination of your next ski holiday.
Essential gear for your mountain adventure
While you're conjuring up images of exhilarating ski descents and serene mountain landscapes, don't forget to plan for both comfort and style. Having the appropriate gear can significantly enhance your experience on the slopes. Be sure to check out Ridestore's latest collection of high-quality, stylish ski jackets and ski pants. Not only will you feel snug and secure, but you'll also be the epitome of slope side chic. After all, half the fun of skiing is looking fantastic while doing it!
Getting to the best ski resorts
In terms on convenience, it doesn’t get beter than this. Most of the ski resorts are in extremely close proximity to the airport, either Munich or Innsbruck mostly, easy peasy lemon squeezy. Anyway, grab a Currywurst and a Pretzel and let’s get started!
A little note; the driving tips are aimed at those coming from Southern Norway and Sweden (when we refer to our friends in the Nordics). When we mention central Europe, we have considered riders from the Netherlands, Northern France and Belgium. If you are reading this in the UK we recommend flying or planning the route more accurately, (you can make it in 3 days via Dover). For those in Eastern Europe, the car trip is easy, or from the south, again, flying could be preferred.
We find when travelling with families, driving can be cheaper and allow you to stock up on food too as often mountain supermarkets are costly. You can also explore nearby cities on the way back and enjoy the best of both worlds. Happy Travels!
Bayerischer Wald
Arber ski resort
Getting there
Where: Bavarian/Bohemian Forest mountain range
Closest Airport: Munich 2 h 31 min (188.4 km)
Driving Tip: When driving from Northern Europe, drive via Berlin, maybe on the way back, take a day in Prague #Detour. If driving from central Europe drive via Frankfurt, it can be done in a day.
Get to know Arber Ski Resort
This adorable ski resort is located in Bavaria and is home to 11.5 km of slopes, 5 km of ski routes available and 6 ski lifts. A tiny ski resort that still pacts a punch. It’s a modern ski resort with plenty of infrastructure for families such as a kids area and a few magic carpets for learners. 39% of the hill is blue runs so an excellent beginner family ski resort.
Ridestore Recommends: They have flood lit slopes for night skiing with the family!
Geißkopf
Getting there
Where: Arberland (Germany, Bavaria (Bayern), Bavarian Forest (Bayerische Wald)
Closest Airport: Vilshofen Airport, 54 min (53.3 km)
Driving Tip: Driving from Northern Europe, join on the E4 via Leipzig. Its only 18 hours so why not stop there for the night. If arriving from Western Europe, it’s about 8 hours via Frankfurt. Why not get out there and stretch the legs!
Get to know Geißkopf
Geißkopf has 8 km of slopes and 7 lifts to explore. Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder, tobogganer, cross-country skier or winter hiker – in the Geißkopf family ski resort, you’re guaranteed to enjoy yourselves!
Ridestore Recommends: The piste are perfectly looked after, ideal for a cruise!
Oberbayern
Herzogstand - Walchensee
Getting there
Where: Tölzer Land (Bayern), Upper Bavaria (Oberbayern)
Closest Airport: Innsbruck 1 h 28 min (77.7 km)
Driving Tip: It’s about 9hrs from Western Europe, if there are 2 of you, why not do the drive in one day and split it BUT on the way back, it’s short detour to drive back via Strasbourg, would be a lovely day trip? If driving from Northern Europe, you can make the drive over 2 days via Berlin!
Get to know Herzogstand – Walchensee
Herzogstand – Walchensee is home to 6 km of slopes and 2 lifts which makes this ski resort cute and cosy! The season is SUPER short, so only during Jan and Feb and perhaps a little into March but when the season is going, there is some incredibly dense forest, making some pretty sweet powder skiing. Plus side, the resort is really reasonably priced!
Ridestore Recommends: I know we LOVE to ski but given the area’s natural beauty, plus it FULL or marked hiking trails, we really recommend spending some time hiking!
Steinplatte - Reit im Winkl
Getting there
Where: Bavaria (Bayern), Upper Bavaria, Oberbayern
Closest Airport: Salzburg 1 h 10 min (55.5 km)
Driving Tip: Driving from Northern Europe, take the route via Berlin. Its only 18 hours so why not stop there for the night. If arriving from Western Europe, it’s about 8 hours via Frankfurt. Why not get out there and stretch the legs!
Get to know Steinplatte – Reit im Winkl
Steinplatte – Reit im Winkl has 42 km of slopes and 14 lifts across Germany and Austria! On the German side, the ski resort of Winklmoosalm and on the Austrian side, you have Steinplatte. From both sides there are modern gondola lifts that take winter sports enthusiasts directly up to the ski resorts. The resort is the perfect place for the whole family. It has dreamy slopes of varying levels of difficulty, stunning panoramic views, a creative snowpark and traditional mountain huts. For the smallest guests they offer day care in their very own tarassic park.
Ridestore Recommends: The Snowpark on the Tyrol side is a must try for the freestyle lovers!
Spitzingsee - Tegernsee
Getting there
Where: Tegernsee-Schliersee
Closest Airport: Munich 1 h 11 min (93.6 km)
Driving Tip: Driving from Northern Europe, take the route via Berlin. It’s only 18 hours so why not stop there for the night. You could also top in Munich on the way back. If arriving from Western Europe, it’s about 8 hours via Frankfurt passing through Cologne as well. Why not get out there and stretch the legs!
Get to know Spitzingsee
Spitzingsee has 20 km of slopes and a whopping 10 lifts, talk about convenience. he resort doesn’t offer much else other than skiing but it’s all you need. The lift system is efficient and modern, the pistes are well groomed and its ju2st 1hr from Munich. It’s super convenient. They do also offer night skiing on several nights on those impeccable slopes.
Ridestore Recommends: Try the Roßkopf (1,580 m), its an epic and challenging descent! Race your friends.
Sudelfeld – Bayrischzell
Getting there
Where: Wendelstein mountain, Sudelfeld pass
Closest Airport: Innsbruck,1 h 20 min (98.9 km)
Driving Tip: From Northern Europe be sure to stop in Leipzig along the way, its a beautiful city! Take the drive over 2 or 3 days. From Central Europe why not drive via Cologne over 1 or 2 days.
Get to know Sudelfeld – Bayrischzell
Sudelfeld – Bayrischzell has 31 km of slopes, and 14 lifts is a great little resort that runs from the town of Bayrischzell up to Sudelfeld. The resort offers only the most beautiful corduroy, wide-open pistes that give you stunning panoramic views of the of Inn Valley (Inntal) and Kaiser Mountains. You will find something for everyone, both beginners, families and ambitious skiers, plus plenty of cosy mountain huts for a warm drink!
Ridestore Recommends: Check out the new freeride-cross area and a snowpark to put your skills to the test or for older teens/ young adults.
Oberaudorf Hocheck
Getting there
Where: Chiemsee Alpenland, Upper Bavaria
Closest Airport: Munich 1 h 20 min (124km)
Driving Tip: Right on the Austrian Boarder, you can drive down via Berlin but take a detour on the way back to Salzburg for a city break. From central Europe take the trip over 2 days and take the route via Frankfurt.
Get to know Oberaudorf Hocheck
The best things come in small packages, right? Oberaudorf – Hocheck is the epitome of this. It has 8 km of slopes and 5 lifts. The resort is truly geared up for day guests from Munich with toll-free parking, which is a dream. The resort is small but ideal for the day then you can visit a neighbouring resort after… There is also night skiing, whoop whoop.
Ridestore Recommends: You have to try out the toboggan run which is 3 km long. Fun for all the family.
Brauneck – Lenggries/Wegscheid
Getting there
Where: Bavaria, Germany
Closest Airport: Munich 1 h 13 min (94.6 km)
Driving Tip: No matter which direction, you can drive via Nuremberg and Munich, both cities are well worth stopping in. From Northern Europe do the drive over 2 or 3 days and from closer by, either 1 or 3 days.
Get to know Brauneck – Lenggries/Wegscheid
Brauneck – Lenggries/Wegscheid 34 km of slopes available and 16 lifts. It’s just a hop, skip and a jump from Munich. Another really traditional resort that oozes Bavarian charm. Another classic resort (it seems like a pattern here in Germany) of stunning wide-open pistes that are impeccably looked after. You can enjoy captivating views of the Karwendel Mountains. Watch out for the Milchhäuslexpress lift, super modern comfort and heated ski lift, which demonstrates how high tech the resort is. There is extensive snowmaking, so you are guaranteed fantastic snow-covered pistes.
Ridestore Recommends: Try the World Cup run and the Waxensteinabfahrt run down to the valley.
Sauerland/DE Mittelgebirge
Winterberg (Skiliftkarussell)
Getting there
Where: Western German state North Rhine-Westphalia
Closest Airport: Cologne Bonn 1 h 30 min (104.7 km), Dusseldorf 1 h 45 min (123.5 km)
Driving Tip: It’s an easy drive from northern Europe, you can stop in Hamburg from a break and a look around. Central European friends can do this drive in a day!
Get to know Winterberg (Skiliftkarussell)
It seems like every ski resort in Germany is modern and well equipped for riders, and Winterberg (Skiliftkarussell) is no exception. It’s home to 27.5 km of slopes, 21 lifts. They have a whopping 9 snowcats working every night to ensure perfect pistes every day, which is lovely. It’s ideal for progression of all levels as well as friendly races to see who can get to the base the quickest! The village is home to many cosy restaurants for sitting by fires and eating while you let your sore muscles relax.
Ridestore Recommends: Night skiing on those perfect pistes? yes please!
Hochschwarzwald
Feldberg
Getting there
Where: Southwest Germany, bordering France
Closest Airport: Zurich 1 h 37 min (94.5 km)
Driving Tip: When coming from the Nordics, drive via Hanover, its worth stopping as its a stunning city. If you are driving rom central Europe you could even drive via Luxembourg which would make a really cool experience.
Get to know Feldberg
Feldberg – Seebuck/Grafenmatt/Fahl has 26 km of slopes and 14 lifts. The biggest attraction is the location, nestled in the sensational Black Forest, which genuinely inspiring views. At 1448m you can see right down into the valley and on a clear day even see over to the alps! 54% of the runs are red, the mountain is really great for intermediates.
Ridestore Recommends: Put your skills to the test on the freeride runs in the trees or on the FIS world cup run!
Zugspitzregion
Zugspitze Garmisch Classic
Getting there
Where: Wetterstein Mountains, highest mountain in Germany.
Closest Airport: Innsbruck 1 h 36 min (89.9 km)
Driving Tip: It’s a long drive from the North of Europe, make the journey over 3 days, stop in Hamburg and Frankfurt. When coming from central Europe, drive via Cologne.
Get to Know Zugspitze
Zugspitze is a cool spot, it’s Germany’s highest mountain at almost 3,000 m. It’s also cosy and cute offering 20 km of slopes and 10 lifts. Due to it’s elevation, Zugspitze is also one of Germany’s most snowsure ski resorts and provides 7 months of coverage. A nice long Winter! The cable car goes up to Eibsee in Grainau and offers impressive views. The ski resort is an excellent spot for families with older kids or groups of friends that prioritise riding and enjoying the slopes.
Ridestore Recommends: They have a freeride area and a toboggan area too.
Mittenwald-Kranzberg Ski Resort
Getting there
Where: Bavaria
Closest Airport: Innsbruck 46 min (42.0 km)
Driving Tip: It will be a great drive from Scandanvia, arrive via Berlina and Leipzig, 2 great places to stop along the way. Those driving from central Europe can drive via Dusseldorf and Frankfurt, again 2 lovely cities to visit. Although the drive can be done in one day from Central.
Get to know Mittenwald-Kranzberg
Mittenwald-Kranzberg has 15 km of slopes available and 8 lifts. A trip to Kranzberg is like a trip back in time but in the most lovely way. The ski resort has a romantic winter Bavarian charm with the houses and chalets, lodges and views of the Karwendel Mountains. This resort is perfect for families with younger children as the resort has put families first with the infrastructure.
Ridestore Recommends: Kids will love Bruno’s children’s area
Ostallgäu
Nesselwang
Getting there
Where: Alpspitze (Alpspitzbahn)
Closest Airport: Zurich 2 h 28 min (216 km)
Driving Tip: When driving from Northern Europe, you pass by Hanover, it’s about in the middle so a great way to split the 19hr drive. From Western Europe, it’s only about 9 hours so totally doable in a day!
Get to know Nesselwang
Nesselwang has 7.3 km of slopes and 8 lifts. They have a great modern ski system that's only a few years old which makes skiing in the area super chill. The local town is undeniably charming, it’s a classically cute/ post card perfect German village.
Ridestore Recommends: Enjoy the quiet and totally underpopulated slopes. Good piste skiing and one of the best snowparks in Germany.
Ofterschwang
Getting there
Where: Bavaria, Bayern, Swabia (Schwaben)
Closest Airport: Zurich 2 h 31 min (173 km)
Driving Tip: It’s such a relaxed drive of just 8.5 hours from Western Europe. Passing by so many fantastic German towns such as Cologne and Frankfurt. You can visit them to break up the drive.
Get to know Ofterschwang
Ofterschwang has 16 km of slopes and 7 lifts. The resort is a paradise for intermediate skiers with over 60% of the pistes being nice smooth red runs. But if you love eating and drinking local cuisine you will adore all the traditional mountain huts.
Ridestore Recommends: Advanced skiers will love the World Cup slope to Ofterschwang and in the snow/fun park by the lift at the peak.
Pfronten
Getting there
Where: Allgäu, Bavaria Bayern
Closest Airport: Munich 2 h 8 min (161 km)
Driving Tip: It’s such a easy drive, just 8.5 hours from Western Europe. Passing by so many amazingly interesting German towns such as Cologne and Frankfurt. You can visit them to break up the drive.
Get to know Pfronten ski resort
The ski center Prfonten has a total of 5 drag lifts and it perfect for a little family get away. The mountain offers slopes for all skill levels: 2 km of easy slopes (blue), 2 km of moderate slopes (red) and 2 km advanced slopes (red/black). In Pfronten families will feel right at home. No waiting times and special family pricing will make the family holidays pure joy. Since the winter season of 2017 snow machines are guaranteeing perfectly groomed slopes. Pfronten is also ideal for ski touring or snowshoeing; even winter hiking or cross-country tours through the valley of Pfronten promise winter enjoyment for families and winter sports enthusiasts, it’s a full winter wonderland. The town is cute and quiet, very tranquil indeed.
Ridestore Recommends: Check out the night skiing or après ski in one of the cozy cabin lift.
Oberstdorf - Kleinwalsertal
Getting there
Where: Oberstdorf, Germany
Closest Airport: Munich 2 h 13 min (178 km)
Driving Tip: It’s a long (emphasis on long) drive from northern Europe, if you want to make an adventure of it, consider stopping in Hanover. But why not take a trip to Liechtenstein too. From Central Europe split the drive as well and stop along the way. You can do the same when coming from closer by too.
Get to know Oberstdorf – Kleinwalsertal ski resort
Home to 130 kilometers of awesome slopes and a whopping 48 lifts, spread across the areas Nebelhorn, Fellhorn, Söllereck, Kanzelwand, Heuberg, Walmendingerhorn and Ifen. It begs the question, are you ready to discover and explore all this, any time between December and May? So much skiable terrain on your doorstep, one of the most exciting regions in Germany. Whats more, this two-country skiing area has a huge and varied range of cuisine. Fancy restaurants, rustic and cosy lodges and stunningly sunny terraces provide the best food of both countries. It’s a skiing and eating vacation for those who love both in equal measure!
Ridestore Recommends: There is so much to offer here, terrain parks and challenging downhill but an absolute must do has to be the brand new snowpark. It’s perfect for putting your freestyle skills to the test with a flood lit session in the slopes and in the park every Wednesday. Plus this season, there are two new lifts at Ifen!
Oberjoch (Bad Hindelang) – Iseler
Getting there
Where: Bad Hindelang, Oberallgäu
Closest Airport: Innsbruck 2 h 4 min (150 km)
Driving Tip: Its the same as above, don’t miss out on Liechtenstein.
Get to know Oberjoch (Bad Hindelang) – Iseler
Oberjoch (Bad Hindelang) – Iseler has 32 km of slopes and 5 lifts. The resort is very relaxed and laid back, catered towards families with younger children. The resort is cute and cosy with idyllic mountain lodges for eating and relaxing. There is also plenty of cross country ski trails to try your hand at. Oberjoch itself is Germanys highest mountain town.
Ridestore Recommends: Kids will love the children’s snow area, the Schneekinderland.
Erzgebirge
Fichtelberg - Oberwiesenthal
Getting there
Where: German Ore Mountains, Deutsches Erzgebirge
Closest Airport: Leipzig 2 h 12 min (147 km)
Driving Tip: From Western Europe drive via the A2 on the route passing by Hanover, (great place to stop to stretch.) From Northern Europe via the A96 through Berlin. Stop in Berlin for a night to split the drive.
Get to know Fichtelberg – Oberwiesentha ski resort
Fichtelberg has 15.5 km of slopes and 6 lifts. It’s another resort which is at its peak during Jan and Feb, when fresh snow brings excellent powder skiing in the forest. Then also have a pretty cool snow park with inventive features. The resort is convenient and easy to navigate.
Good to know about the ski resort
Interestingly, Oberwiesenthal is located right on the German-Czech Republic border which is cool. It’s also one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in the Ore Mountains.
Ridestore Recommends: The toboggan run in Fichtelberg it absolutely awesome. Race your friends!
Get ready for skiing in Germany
So, what do you think? Are you hooked on the idea of riding in Germany? Eating delicious food, skiing perfectly groomed piste without having to take out a small business loan and the most friendly locals! Germany is calling and maybe only a short drive from your home country or an easy flight.
FAQs
What is the best time to ski in Germany?
The ski season in Germany typically runs from December through March, with January and February often having the best snow conditions. But each ski resort may vary, and it's recommended to check their specific season schedules.
What are some other activities apart from skiing that I can do at German ski resorts?
Numerous resorts in Germany offer alternatives like snowboarding, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and tobogganing. Also, many ski resorts, such as Herzogstand - Walchensee, are home to marked hiking trails, ensuring you can enjoy the area's natural beauty even when you're not skiing.
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