Garmisch Partenkirchen is one of Germany's most famous ski resorts, complete with a high-altitude glacial ski area on the Zugspitze mountain, and a wonderfully traditional city that is full of Bavarian charm. There is a long-standing tradition of the resort hosting major sporting events such as the Winter Olympic Games in 1936 and the Alpine Ski World Cup in 1978 and 2011.
Surrounded by over 400 mountain peaks, Garmisch Partenkirchen offers incredible pristine natural beauty, and a long snow-sure season that runs from mid-November through to April. The picturesque town is lined with neat wooden huts and a wide choice of restaurants, bars and eateries to cater for all tastes.
Resort Altitude: 708m
Resort Skiing: 2,962m
Total Ski Area: 40km
Lifts: 17
Blue Runs: 12km
Red Runs: 18km
Black Runs: 10km
Garmisch Partenkirchen is home to 40km of slopes that suit all abilities. The terrain spans across three mountains - the Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitze, and is well-linked by 17 lifts. The accessible skiing is split into two main areas - the Classic area closer to resort, which lies below the tree-line and offers some challenging runs; and the high-altitude glacial ski area where you can find some more gentle pistes. The scenery from the top is absolutely spectacular, and well worth a visit for non-skiers too.
Families and beginners will enjoy the gentle pistes around the Hausberg, whilst more advanced skiers can try their hand at the world-famous Kandahar black run, which drops over 1,000 vertical metres. 66% of the slopes are served by state-of-the-art snowmaking facilities, which, combined with the high-altitude glacial terrain on the Zugspitze, makes for a very snow-sure offering.
Indulge in Bavarian specialty dishes from a choice of cosy slopeside huts. Expect hearty dishes to fuel you up for a day's exploring, such as wild game, potato dumplings, warming stews and Schnitzel. We recommend pairing these with a large refreshing Stein or a steaming cup of Gluhwein.
Garmisch Partenkirchen offers its skiers an exciting, bustling atmosphere to return to after a day on the mountain. Choose from a vast range of bars, restaurants and accommodation, which serve up local specialities at extremely reasonable prices in comparison to other ski towns across Europe. The central station is the liveliest part of town, with plenty of spots to enjoy an evening aperitif as the sun goes down.
There are plenty of attractions to keep non-skiers busy in Garmisch Partenkirchen. Taking the cable-car all the way up to the Zugspitze glacier is just as much of a treat on or off your skis, with the breathtaking scenery making for a perfect photo opportunity and the cable ride alone an impressive feat of engineering to admire. There is also a great choice of winter hikes, as well as the options to try snowshoeing and tobogganing.