Winter in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: The first snow in the northern Alps opens Garmisch-Partenkirchen to numerous winter activities: skiing, sledding, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A snow-covered winter landscape, fantastic slope conditions and cozy après-ski await you.
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
The mountains around Garmisch-Partenkirchen offer more than 60 kilometers of perfectly groomed ski runs for all levels from November to April. From family friendly to racers, Garmisch-Partenkirchen has ski runs for everyone. Garmisch-Partenkirchen hosts the Alpine World Cup every year on the world famous Kandahar.. The classic ski area with the Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitz lifts invites you to numerous valley runs. The Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain and the only glacier ski area, offers amazing views- on a clear day all the way to Italy. Guests can choose between the ultra-modern Zugspitze cable car, which is almost entirely made of glass, or the nostalgic cogwheel glacier railway. In either case, the Zugspitze is a beautiful excursion.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
The idyllic mountain landscape makes Garmisch-Partenkirchen a dream destination for cross-country skiers. 30 kilometers of prepared cross-country trails of varying difficulty make cross-country skiing an wonderful experience for everyone. The routes are freshly groomed every day and can be used free of charge.
The cross-country ski route from the local mountain ‘Hausberg’ to the Olympic ski stadium is popular with beginners as it is relatively flat. It is three kilometers long and offers a great view of the surrounding Alps. The cross-country ski route to Hammersbach also begins at the Hausberg and is flat. From Hammersbach you have access to the Grainau cross-country ski routes.
Those seeking more challenging and hilly terrain will head to Kaltenbrunn. The training grounds of our local world class athletes, including World Cup retirees Magdalena Neuner and Laura Dahlmeier. Thanks to snowmaking, the simple circular route is prepared even if nature hasn’t provided enough snowfall. There is also a floodlit trail here for night-time winter sports fun. A beautiful route leads from Kaltenbrunn to Klais. About 15 km long, with several climbs and descents, strength and endurance are required. The route does offer a few turning points, so you can modify the route based upon your fitness, ability, or mood.
SLEDDING AND TOBOGGANING
Whether with a wooden sled, a race bob or a luge ... sledding is just fun and an experience for young and old.
There are numerous toboggan runs around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The toboggan run from the Martinshütte on the Grasberg is particularly popular. After the ascent, you can warm up and be entertained in the Martinshütte before you quickly descend into the valley on two runners. Spend wonderful winter days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Tip: toboggans are available for hire from the local ski schools!
ICE SKATING AND CURLING
Ice sports have tradition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and have grown and become an integral part of the leisure activities for guests and locals.
The Olympia Ice Sports Center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the most beautiful and largest ice sports stadiums in Europe. Here all age groups will find the right leisure time fun in all weathers. With two standard indoor ice rinks and two free ice rinks, it is perfectly equipped for public ice skating, figure skating, ice dancing, ice hockey and curling. The is also an outdoor ice rink.
Ice skates can be rented on site.
Visit an ice hockey game at the local SC Riessersee one evening.
SNOWSHOEING
If speed sports are not your thing, perhaps you would prefer to discover the breathtaking snow-covered landscape with snowshoes. With sturdy shoes and dressed warmly, you can go anywhere in the deep snow. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the snow-covered meadows and forests all around. Your first snowshoe hike? Then register for a guided snowshoe tour. More information can be found here.
WINTER HIKING AND WALKS
110 kilometers of cleared hiking trails around Garmisch-Partenkirchen also offer the opportunity to explore nature in winter. Stroll along enchanted paths, listen to the crunch of the snow under your feet and marvel at the beauty with which winter has adorned the valley. Surrounded by absolute tranquility, you can take a break from everyday life while hiking in winter. Put together your very own tour in the GaPa tour planner.
You should not miss the following great winter sport highlights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:
The famous City Biathlon between Christmas and New Year's Eve in the Garmisch pedestrian zone
The annual New Year's ski jumping in the Olympic ski stadium. More information can be found here.
The traditional horn sled race takes place every year on January 6th.
The Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup makes it annual stop in the Classic area of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Enjoy the great atmosphere and race on the famous Kandahar.