Everything You Need to Know About Skiing in Garmisch
The Alps are the perfect destination for skiing enthusiasts, with a plethora of beautiful towns and sparkling, snowy slopes to choose from. Garmisch is no exception, with a skiing scene highlighted by the Garmisch-Classic ski area and plenty of additional winter activities available to fill a weekend or week-long ski trip.
If you’re looking for an ideal Alpine skiing destination, our team at All Things Garmisch would certainly recommend our home. While the typical idea of “ski resorts” doesn’t really exist in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the slopes are plentiful and the snow is perfect throughout the ski season. Let’s take a look at the skiing scene in Garmisch.
Garmisch and Skiing: A Classic Pairing
While the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area has a history dating back hundreds of years, it has been renowned as a ski town since the early 20th century. The 1920s saw the first skiers hit the slopes, and the area was named host of the 1936 Olympics, with the formerly separate towns of Garmisch and Partenkirchen officially uniting for the occasion.
These 1936 Winter Olympics were the first to feature Alpine skiing, and what is now the Garmisch-Classic ski area was the original site of those competitions.
Where to Ski in Garmisch
Garmisch has a number of areas ideal for skiing, with many slopes suitable for beginners and others at a more advanced level. Let’s take a look at some of the nearby skiing spots.
Garmisch-Classic 
Probably the most famous and popular of the ski areas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Garmisch-Classic is a legendary location. Garmisch-Classic comprises three separate peaks, each with their own notable attributes:
- The Hausberg: A perfect family mountain, the Hausberg is easily accessible via cable car, has chair lifts, and features a few good bars and restaurants to choose from. English is widely spoken on this peak, as there is an American military presence at this location.
- The Kreuzeck: This mountain is home to the Kandahar, a famous World Cup downhill ski run. It also features the Hexenkessel ski run, which includes a snow bar and two great restaurants. This peak is more limited on terrain but has great tree runs if you know where to look!
- The Alpspitze: The highest of the peaks in the Classic area, the Alpspitze is home to what the locals call the “Fitness Studio.” This area features plenty of back country hikes and climbs to hidden powder holes. Much like an Easter Egg hunt, you go searching, and if you’re lucky you might find yourself at the Bernadein Bowl where the locals ride the T-Bar looking like Frosty the Snowman. But be warned: they do not blow a lot of fake snow up here, so make sure there is plenty of coverage before skiing.
The Zugpitze
The Zugspitze is the tallest mountain in Germany, reaching just under 10,000 feet at its highest point. As a skiing location, it is a bowl with plenty of back country terrain and lots of steep drops. However, it is also quite open with no trees, so it’s easy to spot trails and hidden lines. This makes Zugspitze a good ski destination for skiers of varying skill levels, with a variety of gentle slopes available from most lifts along with more challenging runs, particularly around glaciers.
The Eckbauer
Mt. Eckbauer features a couple of ski runs that skiers may want to consider on busy Saturdays when the Classic is crowded. With no fake snow, the Eckbauer is only open when there is plenty in the valley, making it somewhat of a rare treat.
The Eckbauer has a single long run next to the Gudiberg; this run is mainly for sledding and ski biking, but it can a very fun area that you may have to yourself on the rare days when the snow is perfect and everyone else is at Garmisch-Classic.
The Gudiberg itself is also rarely open, but when it is, it makes for an exhilarating experience. Be warned, however: this is not an easy slope. Originally used for the World Cup slalom, this run is steep and fast. Many attempt it, and most wind up sliding to the bottom on their butts!
Ski Resorts in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
“Ski resorts” is something of a misnomer here in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. While there’s plenty of skiing, and plenty of nice lodges geared toward skiers, there aren’t any real resorts in the typical sense—that is, locations where you can stay and enjoy direct access to skiing right outside of the door.
Some of the nicer ski-oriented lodges and hotels include Edelweiss Lodge & Resort, Eibsee Hotel, and Zugspitz Resort. Some are closer than others to skiing slopes, and some may even have equipment rentals—just be aware that these spots near Garmisch-Partenkirchen may not align with what is typically thought of as a “ski resort.”
Getting the Most from Your Garmisch Skiing Experience
Lastly, how can you make sure to have the best time possible? Here are some miscellaneous tips on skiing in Garmisch.
1. Rent a Locker
Unlike many Tyrolean ski areas, skiing is not located in downtown Garmisch. This means it’s most convenient to leave your gear at the hill. The Garmisch Ski School has lockers for rent across from the Hausberg Bahn; this is the easiest way to store your gear and have a quick walk, bus ride, or train ride back into town.
2. Hire an Instructor or Guide
Even if you’ve skied before, we generally recommend having a guide or instructor for at least a portion of your ski trip. If you have less experience in Alpine skiing, they can certainly help you make the adjustment. Even if you’re highly experienced, however, they’ll be able to help you find spots you may never know about otherwise.
We recommend Bettina at Sprenzel Ski School! She is a dear friend, and the instructors at this location all speak English and are genuinely excited to be there.
3. Set Your Expectations Ahead of Time
Depending on where you go for skiing around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the experience may be different from what you might expect. For instance, the Garmisch-Classic is a family ski area; there is little to no Apres Ski.
This is also not a “high” Alpine ski area; we’re at the entrance to the Alps, so snow is largely manmade except on higher peaks, such as the Alpspitze or the Zugspitze.
Book a Skiing Experience with All Things Garmisch!
No matter what your skill level may be, or your previous experience (or inexperience) with Alpine skiing, our team at All Things Garmisch will make sure you have an amazing experience traversing the many slopes on offer here in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Whether you’re looking for a quick day trip or you’re planning a longer stay in Garmisch, we can tailor your experience accordingly—and incorporate many of the other wonderful winter activities on offer here in Garmisch. Reach out to plan your trip today!
