Resort reviews

Garmisch - Partenkirchen sits on the Austrian border, and is Germany's best known ski resort famous for it's spas and hosting the winter Olympics in 1936.

These days, Garmisch is a thriving international all year round destination offering superb winter and summer activities, top class accommodation and excellent facilities.

It is also fortunate to have Germany's highest mountain and only glacier on it's doorstep which sets it apart from all the other German ski resorts.

Wellness & spa

Being a spa resort, Garmisch has several top class spa hotels for relaxation and wellbeing - quite similar to Leukerbad in some respects although without the thermal waters.

Garmisch-Classic

With 40km of linked pistes spread over the Hausberg, Kreuzeck und Alpspitze mountains, this ski area is suitable for all levels but particularly beginners and early intermediates. The vertical goes from 2050m down to 700m and as you can imagine, the lower slopes are peppered with snow cannons.

Zugspitze

Rising up to 3000m is Germany's highest peak - the Zugspitze is home to the Schneeferner glacier - the only one in Germany. Not a huge pisted ski area, just 22km, but what you do get is a feeling of being on top of the world.

From the summit, you can look on to Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner at 3,798m and and a bit further south on to the Marmolada (3343m) where you can ski in resorts such as Arabba and Cortina.

Things to see & do in Garmisch

If you don't fancy skiing or boarding, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy including.....

• Visit the fascinating Partnachklamm gorge
• Tobogganing on the 5 km trail at Mount Hausberg
• Take a ride up the funicular and enjoy spectacular views of the glacier and surrounding peaks
• Snowshoeing
• Winter walking trails
• Paragliding
• Ice skating in the Olympic arena
• Leisure centre with indoor swimming pool, waterslide, sauna, steam bath and bowling

Après-ski

The après-ski in Garmisch can be as lively or as relaxing as you want to make it with over 200 bars and restaurants to enjoy. Probably the best way to describe the après-ski is typical German with Bavarian style "knees up" evenings which gets everyone into a party mood.

Our view on Garmisch - Partenkirchen ski resort

Ski holidays Garmisch - a big reputation for being great fun on and off the piste. A few top tips we've picked up...

• Take the Glacier cable car up to 2962m and gaze at more than 400 peaks in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Germany from the Gipfelalm summit lodge with it's Panorama-Lounge
• For a more relaxed trip to the Schneeferner glacier, you can catch the cogwheel train directly from Garmisch-Partenkirchen

If you like skiing in Garmisch, you may also want to look at the resorts in the Zillertal Valley including.....

• Mayrhofen
• Fügen
• Gerlos
• Zell am Ziller