Germany might not be as well-known for skiing as its Alpine neighbours, but it offers some of the most accessible and charming ski resorts in Europe. Leading the way is Zugspitze, the country’s highest peak, where skiers can enjoy a mix of scenic runs and modern facilities. The Bavarian Alps, including renowned resorts like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the picturesque town of Oberstdorf, provide a variety of slopes suitable for all skill levels. While Germany’s ski areas may not be as extensive as those in Austria or Switzerland, they more than make up for it with traditional Alpine charm, competitive pricing, and easy access from major cities like Munich. From the family-friendly slopes of Mittenwald to the diverse terrain of Berchtesgaden, Germany's ski resorts offer a welcoming blend of convenience, culture, and excellent value for all types of winter sports enthusiasts.
From tidy Bavarian towns to high, snow-reliable slopes, Germany’s ski areas are easy to reach, well kept, and ideal for long weekends from Munich. Expect efficient lifts, clear signage, and cozy mountain huts rather than massive linked domains. Here are the best picks by trip type.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a solid first step thanks to gentle learning zones on the Hausberg side and smooth progression to longer blues. For very easy starts, smaller areas like Brauneck (Lenggries) or Oberjoch keep everything close together and low stress.
High, reliable snow and wide glacier runs make Zugspitze a safe bet through the season. When you want more laps and side hits, Garmisch-Classic and Oberstdorf/Fellhorn-Kanzelwand add longer cruisers and occasional park features when conditions allow.
Garmisch town has the liveliest mix: cozy pubs, beer halls, and weekend music. Elsewhere in Bavaria, expect mellow terrace stops and a last drink before the train rather than big late nights.
Garmisch works well with kids: short transfers, first-class ski schools, and off-slope options like pools and easy winter walks. Quieter spots such as Oberjoch or Brauneck suit younger families who prefer short runs and simple logistics.
Combining the glacier up high with the lower-mountain sectors gives mixed-ability groups plenty to choose from, and staying in a larger town keeps lodging and dining straightforward. Oberstdorf’s linked sectors also spread people out nicely on busy days.
Germany leans classic over flashy. Look for spa hotels and refined dining in larger Bavarian towns, plus lakeside stays near the mountains for a calmer feel. The focus is comfort, views, and good service rather than showy nightlife.
Start building your dream ski trip today with our one-stop ski shop - hundreds of resorts, unlimited combinations.
I usually book flights, ground transportation, hotel, ski rental and lift tickets myself but this year used WeSki for a trip to Morzine. It was so much easier. Everything worked perfectly - ground transportation arrived on time and there was plenty of feedback throughout the whole process giving you confidence the vacation would go smoothly.
A really useful service that is so much easier to use than other 'all-inclusive' sites. It nicely bridges the gap between a travel agent and booking the trip yourself online. I'll use WeSki every time I go skiing from now on.
We booked a late minute skiing trip to Morzine through we ski. We looked at booking the trip ourselves but could get anywhere near the price quoted by we ski. The company was excellent and we had no problems at all from start to finish. I would definitely use them to book another weekend skiing trip.
Seamless experience from start to finish. I was spending ages trying to sort out a weekend break and managed to do it with we ski in minutes and for the same price as booking it all up yourself. Flight, transit and accommodation was all as expected and faultless.