Ski holidays Germany

Germany is often underestimated as a winter sports destination. And yet the ski areas give a big variety. The Alpine region nestled in southern Germany of course offers a wide range of ski areas, much to the delight of winter sports fans everywhere. Small, family-friendly ski areas can be found in the Harz, the Black Forest, the Thurungian Forest and even in the North Rhine-Westphalian Sauerland.

Where can you go skiing in Germany?

If you ask winter sports enthusiasts where they can go skiing in Germany, most of them will think of one place in particular: the Zugspitze. Germany's highest mountain, located in the very south of Bavaria, is widely known as the natural border with neighbouring Austria and is also very popular as Germany's highest ski resort. The slopes on the Zugspitze plateau reach up to 2,720 metres, with the summit cross standing at 2,962 metres. There is enough snow here until May for almost unlimited skiing enjoyment.
The Bavarian Alps have other natural gems to offer with attractive ski resorts, such as the Allgäu or the Fellhorn-Kanzelwand border area. Oberstdorf, located on the Nebelhorn in the Oberallgäu, for example, is world-famous as the venue for the Four Hills Tournament. With a whopping 128 kilometres of slopes stretching into the neighbouring Kleinwalsertal valley on the Austrian side, it is also one of the larger contiguous ski areas on German soil. The Berchtesgadener Land region is also an attractive area with its six ski resorts facing the majestic Watzmann (2,713 m).

Far away from the edge of the Alps, Germany still has plenty of other winter sports resorts to offer: officially, the Federal Republic has over 600 ski areas! Many of them are cosy little areas with only one or two lifts and manageable slopes. But some areas are also of a respectable size and correspondingly varied. After all, there are magnificent low mountain ranges in all parts of the country that offer every opportunity to have fun in the snow. The Bavarian Forest, for example, which is part of the Bohemian Forest in eastern Bavaria, is not only the largest forest landscape in Central Europe, but also an extensive low mountain range and home to some remarkable ski resorts. A popular destination and the highest ski mountain in the Bohemian Forest is the Großer Arber (1,456 m), which has 10 kilometres of slopes and is also attractive for families with the Arbär-Kinderland. In addition, the Bohemian Forest extends across the border to Czechia, where it is called Sumava and is also a unique recreational area. The Black Forest enjoys a worldwide reputation. In addition to Bollenhut hats and cherry cake, the ski resorts there are also known far beyond the country's borders. The Feldberg lift network is particularly worth mentioning here, which, with 63 kilometres of slopes, is one of the larger ski resorts in Germany.

Incense smokers, candle arches and mining romance – the Ore Mountains in the east of the republic not only offer traditional flair, but also varied skiing fun for all winter sports enthusiasts. A fascinating mountain and cultural landscape as well as cross-border ski areas make Saxony a very popular winter holiday destination. Nordic athletes also get their money's worth in the Ore Mountains: the Ore Mountains Ski Trail runs across the entire mountain ridge to the border with Czechia. One section runs around the Fichtelberg and thus past the spa town of Oberwiesenthal, the highest town in Germany.

It's hard to believe, but in Germany, skiing is possible in all directions: In the relatively flat west lies the Hochsauerland with the Winterberg ski lift carousel, which combines 27.5 km of slopes. The centre is characterised above all by the Thuringian Forest and the Oberhof ski centre on the Rennsteig, which became popular through the Biathlon World Cup. Finally, in the north is the Harz, Germany's northernmost low mountain range.

Why book ski holidays in Germany?

What’s great about Germany’s winter sports region is its diversity. Where the altitude and surface area tend to make for smaller ski areas, the sports programme proves to be much larger. The terrain is in most places quite wide and fairly level, so that a few cross-country centres, for example, have been able to take root and provide an extensive cross-country network throughout the area. Nordic sports has developed into a booming trend like never before, especially in the states of Thüringen and Saxony. Along with it comes the unique culture and natural landscapes, of which makes Germany a truly interesting holiday destination for nature-lovers and those seeking a bit of rest and relaxation. Those who prefer a laid back holiday surrounded by a snowy winter wonderland with access to several non-ski related activities will feel right at home in the German Mittelgebirge (a low-lying mountain range).

What is so special about ski holidays in Germany?

A diverse leisure programme, smooth pistes, and manageable ski areas with blue pistes - German ski areas are the ideal winter sports destinations for families with small children. The little areas are quite navigable and offer excellent child care services. However, beginners and intermediates of all ages will also find German ski areas to be the perfect fit. The somewhat larger ski areas also provide some fun slopes, timed runs and sizeable snow parks, so the youth and adrenaline junkies will definitely get their money’s worth. In the Mittelgebirge, between 900 and 1,600 m, many of the pistes lie below the tree line, so that winter sports fans will find many romantic, wintry forests along the runs.

How long is it possible to ski in Germany?

Due to the low altitude in the Germany’s Mittelgebirge, there is enough snow to have the main season run from December to March. Areas that typically receive quite a bit of snow include the Ore Mountains and the Black Forest, as well as some parts of the Allgäu and areas along the edge of the Alps like Berchtesgadener Land and the Zugspitze region. The longest ski season in Germany can be found in the Zugspitze region thanks to its altitude ranging between 2,000 - 2,720 m. The ski area is normally open from December to the beginning of May. The sun tends to shine higher up, while the valley and the lower-lying ski areas disappear underneath the clouds.