Germany: Modern Resorts At Friendly Costs -
Germany’s ski resorts are accessible, friendly, and affordable. That's a good combination.
Germany offers everything from World Cup races to glacier skiing and peaceful mountain hideaways. The main ski resorts in Germany include Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden, Mittenwald, Oberstdorf, and Lenggries.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the country’s best-known ski resort. The two resorts Garmisch and Partenkitchen were joined to form one of the biggest resorts in the country. Many American soldiers learned to love skiing while based in Germany after World War II that they came home and fuelled the sport's burst in the U.S.
Modern tourist development has been ongoing and now there are around 40,000 beds. The Garmisch-Partenkirchen area offers skiing between 750-2050 metres. The 75 kilometres of downhill runs are linked by 28 cable railways and ski lifts, which can transport 16,000 skiers an hour. The world-famous Kandahara and Olympic slopes are used for the annual World Cup Ski competition.
Garmisch also features 110 kilometres of cross-country skiing and ski schools that specialize in cross-country training. This Bavarian ski resort was the site of the 1936 Winter Olympics as well as the 1978 Alpine World Championships. The resort is set to host the Winter Olympic Games again in 2018. Other winter sports here include ice skating, sledding, and winter walking trails. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is easily accessible with a motorway running south from Munich. The closest airport is less than an hour away at Innsbruck.
South of Garmisch-Partenkirchen sits the Zugspitze. At nearly 3000 metres, the Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain. The Zugspitz glacier is 300 metres below the summit, which can be reached by cable car. The glacier is complete with a restaurant and sun terrace in which to enjoy the views. The mountain is also home to Zugspitzgebiet – Germany’s highest ski resort. Slopes of all grades range between 2000-2830 metres. Off-piste skiing is particularly popular here and snowboarders will find a fun park and halfpipe.
Rivalling Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the resort of Oberstdorf. This cosmopolitan ski resort boasts an international reputation for ski jumping. The extensive skiing is split into three areas, and the main area is Fellhorn/Kleinwalsertal. The resort is best suited to beginners and intermediates with 44 kilometres of downhill pistes. Runs are divided into 14 blue, 21 red and three black connected by 26 lifts. Skiers can reach a maximum altitude of 2220 metres. Located between Munich and Lake Constance, the town is easily accessible.
Berchtesgaden is set on the edge of the Berchtesgaden National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The Jenner ski area is the best known and largest of the small ski centres and is easily reached by bus or car. Accommodation here is both in the town and in the surrounding countryside, but there is an efficient ski bus service connecting all areas. Salzburg Airport is the closest to the Berchtesgaden ski area, just 20 kilometres away.
The market town of Mittenwald is nestled at the border with Austria, just 15 minutes from the popular Austrian resort of Seefeld. Skiing in Mittenwald features the sharp peaks of the Karwendel mountain range with its long and challenging runs. Innsbruck Airport is around one hour away.
The small village of Oberammergau is set in southern Germany. This resort is particularly popular with cross-country skiers with its numerous trails and pretty scenery. Kolben is the main ski area and offers a good selection of gentle runs for beginners and intermediates.
The little known ski resort of Lenggries is nestled in the valley of Isar. Its ski area is served by a regular ski bus and offers both challenging black runs down under the cable car as well as easier runs which are found at the bottom near the drag lifts.
Set in the centre of Europe, Germany can be easily reached from numerous European capitals. There has also recently been a growth in low-cost airlines making it easier to take short ski breaks to Germany.
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