The best ski resorts in Germany

What comes to mind when you think of Germany? Classical music, Albert Einstein, and fairytale castles? What about Oktoberfest and the Black Forest? There’s no question that Germany is home to some incredible things. But you might have never associated it with epic ski resorts. Until now, that is …

Head south in Germany, and you’ll find the Alps’ most northern slopes, home to Germany’s highest peak and some insane ski resorts – nearly 700 of them, to be exact. These ski resorts have killer riding spots with top notch facilities, smooth lift infrastructures, and après scenes that rival the big four (France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy)! And let’s not forget the biggest difference between Germany and the major players – Germany comes up way cheaper! 

But don’t trawl through TripAdvisor or TikTok to find the key spots. Instead, simply scroll here for our picks of the best ski resorts in Germany. No matter your riding level (or après ability), Deutschland has something for everyone. So, let’s go! Or Auf geht's, we should say! 

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Skiing in Germany - Best spots

Zugspitze 

If somewhere calls itself ‘Germany’s most beautiful ski resort’, you kind of want to check it out, right? Well, ‌Zugspitze certainly lives up to the hype. It is stunning! And beauty isn’t all it can brag about – Zugspitze is Germany’s highest ski resort at a dizzying 9,718 feet. 

And with lofty heights often comes glacier riding – something Zugspitze offers in spades alongside a snowpark, half-pipe, and a restaurant with a sun-drenched sundeck. And you know what glaciers mean? Extended seasons, baby! Yep, Zugspitze is open from November to May, giving you enough time to secure your shred — and sun — fix in one fell swoop. 

Advanced riders among you will rate Zugspitze highly. It has over 12 miles of trails and offers the opportunity to ride waist-deep pow in Germany (who knew?). Beginners and intermediates can find their groove here, too (there’s even a Kinder Ski School). And if après is your thing, you’ll be pleasantly surprised in Zugspitze. Okay, its scene isn’t as mad as ski resorts in Austria, and you have to experience it before riding back down to town. However, there’s the Iglu-Dorf Ice Hotel for après with a difference (in an igloo, basically) and Sonnalpin for killer views from the terrace. 

Top tip: High altitude and exposed slopes mean the weather can get gnarly on whiteout days. If that’s the case, just ride down to the nearby lower Garmisch-Classic ski resort. It’s included in your lift ticket, and we’ll talk about this gem further down the list. 

Winterberg

©Ferienwelt Winterberg

It’s kind of the dream to spend weekends riding, right? So check out Skiliftkarussell Winterberg in the Rothaargebirge mountain range. It’s a ski circuit that’s less than two hours by car from large cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf – so perfect for a weekend trip or tagging onto a city tour. 

Okay, you won’t find the same altitude as the other European mountains here (Winterberg’s slopes aren’t over 850 meters high). However, it still offers more than enough to get your shred hit with 27 groomers over 17 miles and three mountains. And, if the snowfall is ever sketchy, there are more than enough snow cannons to create all the cover you need. 

The trails are mostly blues and reds, meaning Winterberg is awesome for intermediates or beginners with a week or so under their belts. There’s also a bobsled track and ski jump track to keep you on your toes (literally). And, when those toes need a break, take them to the West German Winter Sports Museum to dive into the history of everyone’s favorite pastime. 

Top tip: Experience Winterberg at night with its 14 flood-lit trails and nine lifts! Yep, the Skiliftkarussell is Germany’s biggest night-riding area. So shred under the stars and catch a break in one of the area’s 11 ski huts. 

Arber

If you’re ski-tripping with future rippers, lock in Arber. This ski resort in the Bavarian Forest is the perfect place to teach little ones all the tricks and trades of skiing and snowboarding. There’s a massive ArBär kid’s area with four magic carpets and over 14 ski schools. And, when they get the need for speed, enter them in the Children’s World Cup, a parallel slalom ski run where they can race to see who’s the fastest. Finally, if they’re still itching to shred once the lifts shut, take them night riding. 

While the kids sharpen their skills, you can tackle the family cross-park with boxes and jumps. This is especially rad if you’re a park newbie looking to progress. And if you’re looking to progress on the slopes, you’ll love Arber – 39% of its trails are marked blue. Don’t forget to soak up the views, too. Well, you’re on the Great Arber (Großer Arber), the highest peak in the Bavarian forest. You’ll soon understand why locals call it ‘King of the Bavarian Forest’. 

Just because the après vibes are pretty mellow doesn’t mean they’re not worth diving into. Our top picks are the Arber-Stadi, and the Schirmbar am Thurnhofstüberl umbrella bar. It’s worth considering that Arber can get jammed-packed during peak weeks. But don’t let that put you off – Arber might be small, but it certainly packs a punch. 

Top tip: If you’re into ski touring, check out the Arberschutzhaus refuge. You can reach it via Slope G in around 90 minutes and have a plate of pasta in front of you in 95. It’s the perfect refuel after earning your turns and raising that heart rate. 

Oberstdorf

Okay, okay, we know Oberstdorf is technically a region rather than a ski resort. However, it’s home to seven mountain peaks and awesome resorts like Nebelhorn, Fellhorn, and Heuberg, so we’re including it on our list! And Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal has over 80 miles of mellow trails, moguls, and rapid descents to shred to your heart’s content (and your legs’ discontent!) across Germany and Austria. 

And that’s not all! If cross-country skiing is your thing, check out the area’s 43 miles of cross-country tracks, including a World Cup track. For big air fans, there’s the new terrain park with flood-lit sessions every Wednesday night. Ski-tripping with the fam? Venture to Söllereck with its laid-back, family-friendly vibes, or Oberstdorf to skibob, toboggan, ice skate, snow tube, and more.

For the tricky stuff, it’s all about Nebelhorn, with a max vertical of 4,593 feet and a rideable height of 7,283 feet. This is where you’ll find some of the German Alps’ best black runs alongside the longest downhill run in the country at a whopping five miles in length! And don’t forget to admire the scenery – the Nebelhorn’s summit looks out over the entire region, featuring over 400 snowy peaks. If powder is on your mind, aim for the summit of Walmendingerhorn – the amount of white gold will have any powder hound’s tail wagging like crazy! Yep, there really is something for everyone in Oberstdorf. It’s just a case of figuring out what you should do first. 

Top tip: Check out one of Oberstdorf’s world-famous events, such as the Nebelhorn Classics freeride event and the Four Hills Ski Jumping World Cup. 

Feldberg

How about riding with history all around you in Feldberg? Yep, on the 20th November 1892, Germany’s first-ever ski club was founded here, deep in the Black Forest. Today, Feldberg lures riders from all over with 16 slopes and 14 lifts. 

If you’re more of a park rat than a history buff, fear not – Feldberg’s terrain park is home to Germany’s longest jib line. And, if you have a lil’ ripper nipper in tow, take them through the kids’ slope rally. It’s kind of like a boardercross track and has banks, bumps, and foam hands you can thump and hit to make sounds. Trust us – it’s more addictive than it sounds. 

But what about your other senses? Well, as you’re in the awe-inspiring Black Forest, you can expect killer views – especially with Feldberg’s 4,757-foot elevation. And, once you’re done soaking up the scenery, revel in Feldberg’s red runs (54% of the slopes). Looking to test yourself? Take on the black-graded FIS World Cup run. And when you’re ready to rest, stay in one of the Black Forest farmhouses or guest houses, where prices are rarely more than €30 per person. That’s our kind of bargain. 

Top tip: Take on one of Feldberg’s freeride runs through the trees! It’s tree riding with a difference – you can say you’ve wound your way through the Black Forest! 

Garmisch Partenkirchen

Head for the Bavarian Alps, south of Munich, and you’ll hit Garmisch Partenkirchen – one of the most fun winter playgrounds in Germany! Grab the Top Snow Card, and you’ll have over 62 miles of pistes to play withspread out across three separate mountains, one of which is Zugspitze, where you can find Germany’s highest ski resort (also called Zugspitze) at 9,718 feet tall (and also on our list). You’ll also have access to the Garmisch-Classic area (Germany's biggest standalone ski resort), home to over 25 miles of slopes. Trust us: this area offers an experience to rival the world’s heavy hitters. 

This amazing combo of altitude and area means Garmisch Partenkirchen (or Ga-Pa) is one of Germany’s most snow-sure ski spots. And it’s great for all rider abilities. If you’re more about adrenaline, though, you can’t visit without trying one of the most challenging downhills in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup: the Kandahar run. This beast is four miles long and features a 92% gradient on one section. Woah! Throughout the rest of the resort, you’ll ride along the same trails as history-making champions – Garmisch and Partenkirchen joined forces to host the 1936 Winter Olympics and soon became the country’s most famous resort. 

Venturing with non-skiers? Down in Garmisch, there’s more than enough to keep you busy. We’re talking about 100 restaurants, 30 bars, a casino, and crazy-fun après at the Hausberg lift base area. But, if your crew is into capturing content for the ‘Gram, they’ll go nuts for the panoramic views of Germany and Austria from the Zugspitze viewing platform. 

Top tip: Soak up the atmosphere at one of the World Cup ski comps held at Garmisch Partenkirchen and visit the Olympiaschanze (the Olympic ski jumping hill). You can even see it in action during the annual New Year’s Ski Jumping. 

Oberjoch (Bad Hindelang)

If you’re going to ride anywhere, make it Oberjoch Bad Hindelang, one of Germany’s 10 highest ski areas. Okay, its highest skiable point (5,115 feet) might pale compared to Switzerland or France. However, it’s the quality of riding that matters, right? And, boy, does Oberjoch deliver. 

There are 20 miles of trails, a mini terrain park for budding park rats, and three toboggan runs. So, kids (both little and big) can definitely get their fun fix here. And that’s before they’ve had a go in one of the horse-drawn carriages. You can also expand your riding horizons with a Vitales or Super Schnee lift ticket. Both give access to several other ski areas and an extra 78 rideable miles, so you can really show off on Strava. 

Because Oberjoch is so well set up for families, you won’t find any raucous après here. Instead, you’ll discover cozy mountain lodges for chilling and chowing on insane food alongside a resort-wide laid-back atmosphere. And you know what chilled vibes mean? Empty slopes! These are perfect for lapping (and lapping up) as you relish in the resort’s latest investments, such as brand-new chairlifts with heated seats.  

Top tip: Add another string to your bow by trying cross-country skiing. Oberjoch offers 56 miles of cross-country trails, including a half-mile-long route and tons of uphill and downhill gradients. So, will you go for the classic or skate technique? 

Steinplatte-Winklmoosalm ski resort

In the Chiemgau Alps lies Winklmoosalm – a picturesque ski resort and beginner’s paradise. However, if you’re after something more challenging, head to Tyrol. Yep, to make things even sweeter, Winklmoosalm combined forces with Austria’s Steinplatte to form Winklmoosalm-Steinplatte – two ski areas offering 16 trails and 31 miles of riding, and a 2,854-foot vertical descent. Plus, there’s free parking! Could you imagine that in the French Alps!? 

If you prefer to get your snow kick on the kickers, you’re sorted with Snowpark Steinplatte. This mile-long terrain park guarantees heart flutters with over 50 features over four lines for all abilities. If you’re riding with mini park rats (park mice?), show them the Triassic Funline with its wave track (like a boardercross) and dinosaur figures. 

If you can’t survive without some slackcountry, aim for the north side of the Steinplatte summit. And, when 4pm rolls around, there’s only really one place for après: the Waidring-Steinplatte Gondolabahn base named Zardinini’s Schindldorf. Okay, there aren’t many après options here, but you only need one good bar, right? 

Top tip: Refuel after a day’s riding at Berggasthaus Almstüberl. And, if you’re going to order anything, make sure it’s one of their mouth-watering homemade cakes. 

Brauneck

Wherever locals go must be worth visiting, right? Enter Brauneck – a traditional ski resort that’s super popular with locals traveling from Munich for a weekend shred. Okay, it’s not Germany’s biggest-ever ski resort. However, there’s something for every kind of rider here, meaning it’s sure to be a hit with the whole of your crew. 

In fact, beginners and little ones love Brauneck, thanks to its wide-open slopes and mellow gradients. However, there are a few curveballs to test even the most experienced riders. Our favorites? It’s got to be the FIS World Cup run ‘Garland’ or the Waxenstein Abfahrt trail. Just make sure your legs are prepped before attempting! 

If you’re with foodies, they’ll rate Brauneck. Just head for one of the many rustic ski huts serving up delicious Bavarian specialties, such as Schweinebraten (roast pork), and – of course – shed loads of dumplings. And these huts are also where après kicks off, normally around early afternoon. Our fave is Finstermünzalm, serving stellar mountain views alongside Jägertee, cozy vibes, and reasonable prices – AKA our favorite combo. 

Top tip: Aim for Brauneck during the week, as it can get wildly rammed on Saturdays and Sundays with weekenders from Munich. 

Wrapping up 

Ah, Germany, you little beauty! Who knew these ski resort gems were waiting to be discovered? Okay, you won’t get the same height as ski resorts in the big four (France, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy) but look at what you get instead: rad terrain, good vibes, and boat loads in the affordability bracket. 

Plus, let’s not forget the accessibility – most German ski resorts are within two hours of international airports such as Innsbruck, Munich, Zurich, and Salzburg. Let us know how you get on – just tag us on socials via @dopesnow. 

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