Top 5 Ski Resorts in Germany

Despite the fact that Germany is not overly renowned for skiing holidays and vacations, having lost tourists to the over-developed Tyrolian resort areas in Austria, it still receives its fair share of those visitors who don’t feel like overpaying for an Austrian adventure.

Germany boasts a variety of cosmopolitan resorts, glacier skiing, and serene mountain hideaways that will accommodate nearly every taste imaginable. Situated in central Europe, Germany offers easy access to a multitude of accommodations and ski resorts that are sure to please. The numerous ski areas that dot the Bavarian Alps’ landscape are probably some of the better choices for skiing and snowboarding as well. Additionally, if cross-country skiing is what you are craving, you will find an abundance of that in Germany’s ski areas as well.

1. Berlin area

Though most would think that Berlin is too flat of an area to afford any decent skiing, you might be surprised. Schöneswochenende offers a nice network of cross-country opportunities and the next village along the route – Braunlage – offers you some decent downhill skiing. You can travel to Altenberg which lies on the Czech border if you want the best cross-country skiing in the area.

2. Garmisch

Garmisch was the setting for the 1972 Summer Olympics but it is also the gateway to Germany’s most renowned ski area in the Bavarian Alps – Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Located at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak, the resort is one of the Bavarian Alps’ principal health resorts as well. In addition to world-class skiing, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers the visitor culinary and cultural delights, as well as pristine landscape, serene relaxation, and upscale shopping.

3.  Oberstdorf

Located between Lake Constance, Munich, and Stuttgart is Oberstdorf -Germany’s 2nd most popular ski area and rival of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in both popularity and quality of skiing. Though Oberstdorf is considerably more cosmopolitan, it is renowned for its wide array of lodging facilities and ski-jumping competitions. The skiing opportunities here are the most extensive anywhere in Germany, with Fellhorn/Kleinwalsertal being the principal ski area.

4.  Willingen-Upland

Located about 2½ hours to the north of Frankfurt is Willingen-Upland Ski Resort. The ski area has 13 ski lifts that serve 13 individual pistes and features 15km of downhill skiing. The natural snow is also augmented by 6 snow cannons and with the 13 lifts, it can facilitate 12,500 skiers/snowboarders per hour. The ski runs at Willingen-Upland are perfect for the Beginner or the Intermediate skier. Since this is lower altitude skiing, the snow cover periods may vary greatly.

5. Baden Baden

Sitting literally on Baden Baden’s doorstep is the Mehliskopf and it is literally a paradise for cross-country skiers having over 600 miles of ski routes. There are also several snow-making machines to enhance the pistes as well.

In recent times, these top German skiing destinations have had footfalls from all over the world. If you are planning a trip to any of these skiing destinations, make a good travel itinerary and enjoy the German hospitality.

Photo of Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski resort by Bernd Braglmann 

Topic:  Top five Monday | 3 Comments
Tags:  Alps, Germany, sport, winter

About the author

Anita Choudhary is a freelance writer and travel blogger based in New Delhi, India. She loves to travel and has traveled extensively in India. Exploring new places, reading and writing are her hobbies.