The winter holidays are within reach and the ski pistes are still untouched. But the dream of perfect slopes and cool downhill runs does not necessarily mean a long journey. Germany promises skiers and snowboarders plenty of fun in the snow. funkyGERMANY shows you the coolest ski resorts in Germany.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Garmisch-Partenkirchen attracts both connoisseurs and winter sport experts. The World Ski Championships took place on these Bavarian slopes in 1978 and in 2011. To be more precise, they took place on the legendary Kandahar run. Seven kilometres long, 1,800 metres in altitude and with a gradient of 92 per cent, this piste is a real challenge even for the most experienced skiers. It’s considered one of the most demanding slopes in the Alpine Ski World Cup circuit. But don’t worry, it’s not just super downhill skiers who will find the right runs in Germany’s highest ski area. In total there are 60 kilometres of pistes, covering all degrees of difficulty from red, black or blue.
The tourist info of Garmisch-Partenkirchen informs you about the Corona safety precautions on site on their website.
Oberstdorf
Alpine skiers can be sure there’ll be plenty of snow in Oberstdorf, the highest ski area in the Allgäu region of southern Germany. Here, at 2224 metres above sea level, winter sports fans can usually experience uninterrupted snow from January to April, with average depths of between 119 centimetres in January and 151 centimetres in March. Even April is a great month to get the boards and skis on, with snow depths of up to 141 centimetres.
And should the natural snow fall not be a good as expected, 30 snow cannons are ready and waiting. Under these kinds of perfect conditions, you can really enjoy region’s 7.5 kilometre-long valley run, the longest in Germany.
Current news and details of Oberstdorf’s corona hygiene concept can be found on the Website of Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal Bergbahnen.
Hörnerdörfer
If it’s family holidays in the snow you’re looking for, then it’s worth considering the ski region of Hörnerdörfer im Allgäu. A total of 86 kilometres of pistes are waiting to be explored, most of which are blue – meaning they are perfect for beginners – or red, with a medium degree of difficulty. The destination also has a special practice area for kids, where they can perfect their skiing skills with the help of practice lifts and slalom courses. The area’s ski schools offer special children’s courses and many of the local restaurants and ski-huts offer children’s menus. All in all, Hörnerdörfer im Allgäu is hard to beat for a family winter holiday.
Find out which Corona hygiene rules apply this year in the region of Hörnerdörfer. (German only)
Winterberg
But it doesn’t always have to be Bavaria! Further north, in the middle of the Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Winterberg ski area is also an excellent ski resort in Germany. Skiers here are spoilt for choice with 27.5 kilometres of pistes and 29 lifts. On selected days of the week, visitors can also enjoy floodlight skiing on brightly illuminated slopes, with skiing still possible until late in the evening.
For information on winter holidays in Winterberg and details of the region’s anti-Corona measures, please check the Winterberg website. (German only)
Feldberg
Skiing on “Feldberg” mountain in the Black Forest is also a bucket list must-do. Eight different villages make up this ski resort, offering guests 38 lifts to get to the 63 kilometres of slopes. But the breaks between runs are just as important to a relaxing ski holiday – especially when the hunger pangs kick in. And this is where skiing on Feldberg comes into its own… In the numerous local ski-huts and guesthouses, skiers can enjoy sensationally good home-style cooking with regional ingredients. Stews are freshly prepared each morning, the cakes and breads are home-made. Getting hungry? How about a stop at the Emmendinger Hütte? It’s a traditional hut that can only be reached on skis, located directly on the piste, offering fantastic local dishes. And, of course, there are plenty of lactose-free, vegan or gluten-free options, wherever you decide to eat.
As part of the Feldberg Ski Lift Association’s anti-Corona hygiene concept, tickets for the ski lift can only be purchased online this year, to help avoid queues at the ticket counters.
