There are numerous ski areas in Germany that make every winter sports enthusiast’s heart beat faster. Whether in the Alps in the south of the country, in the Bavarian Forest or in the Black Forest, skiers and snowboarders will find a fantastic backdrop there, especially in winter. Some of them are high up, which ensures guaranteed snow and the best piste conditions. In this article, SnowTrex shows you exactly where the highest ski areas in Germany are located.
An overview of the highest ski areas in Germany
| Ski area | Highest point |
|---|---|
| Ski area Garmisch-Classic/Zugspitze | 2,720 m |
| Ski area Ski Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal | 2,224 m |
| Ski area Winkelmossalm-Steinplatte | 1,860 m |
| Ski area Region Berchtesgaden | 1,800 m |
| Ski area Wendelstein | 1,723 m |
| Ski area winter sports arena Tegelberg | 1,720 m |
| Ski area Brauneck-Wegscheid | 1,712 m |
| Ski area Oberstaufen | 1,708 m |
1. Garmisch-Classic/Zugspitze
Elevation: up to 2,720 m
At 2,962 metres, the Zugspitze is not only the highest mountain in Germany, but also the highest ski area in the country. The Garmisch-Classic/Zugspitze ski area stretches from 740 metres in the valley up to 2,720 metres. Winter sports enthusiasts will find a total of 60 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes and the right descent for everyone, including the highest ski slopes in Germany. Beginners and children can try out 19 km of blue pistes, while advanced skiers and snowboarders can carve down into the valley on 31 km of red, intermediate pistes. There are also 10 km of black pistes, including parts of the 3.3 km long Kandahar run, which is considered one of the most challenging race courses in the Alpine Ski World Cup with a view of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
One of the most famous ski resorts in Germany is served by 28 lifts and cable cars, of which the Zugspitzbahn is certainly the most spectacular. The cable car, which can transport up to 580 people per hour to the highest mountain in Germany, was opened in 2017 and has since held several world records. These include the world record for the highest steel support for aerial tramways (127 metres).
2. Ski Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal
Elevation: up to 2,224 m
Oberstdorf is the southernmost municipality in Germany and is one of the highest ski destinations in Germany, not far from the Austrian Kleinwalsertal. And it is precisely this location that offers winter sports enthusiasts the best conditions for a cross-border snow experience in the German Alps and to ski directly into the neighbouring country from here. After all, skiers and snowboarders will find a total of 128 kilometres of pistes at an altitude of up to 2,224 metres in the Ski Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal ski area. And as almost half of all kilometres of pistes (54 km) are marked blue, the ski area is a true winter paradise, especially for families and beginners. The majority of the slopes (69 km) are red and therefore moderately difficult, while 5 black kilometres of slopes are a challenge for professional skiers. There are a total of six ski mountains in Kleinwalsertal with Walmendingerhorn, Heuberg and Ifen as well as in Oberstdorf on Söllereck with Fellhorn and Nebelhorn.
The latter can be reached directly from Oberstdorf using the Nebelhorn cable car of the same name. The route of the cable car runs directly over the outrun of the Schattenbergschanze, where the opening jump of the Four Hills Tournament takes place every year, and ends at the second highest mountain station in Germany. From there, at an altitude of 2,224 metres, you have a fantastic view of over 400 mountain peaks, including the Zugspitze, on a clear day.
Other highlights in the ski area are the two snow parks “Crystal Ground” and “Easy Fellhornpark”, the night skiing offer and the notorious après-ski parties at the foot of the slopes in the surrounding villages.
3. Berchtesgaden Region
Elevation: up to 1,800 m
The Berchtesgaden region ski area is located in the extreme south-east of Upper Bavaria and consists of six ski mountains, making it one of the top ski areas in Germany. Skiers and snowboarders can let off steam here on a total of 44 kilometres of pistes, which are served by 28 lifts and lead up to an altitude of 1,800 metres. The highest point is in the small sub-ski area of Jenner am Königssee, which makes the Berchtesgadener Land the fourth highest ski area in Germany. Berchtesgadener Land has a lot to offer, especially in winter. Highlights include the night skiing piste in the Götschen ski area near Bischofswiesen, the wide, flat and family-friendly pistes on Hochschwarzeck and the 6 km long valley run from Rossfeld to Oberau.
4. Winter sports arena Tegelberg
Elevation: up to 1,720 m
The 1,881 metre-high Tegelberg is located near Schwangau in the Ammergau Alps, just 10 minutes by car from Füssen. The small but beautiful Winter sports arena Tegelberg ski area is located on its slopes. Here, skiers and snowboarders can explore a total of 8 kilometres of pistes at up to 1,720 m in one of the top 10 ski areas in Germany, which are accessible via four T-bar lifts and a gondola lift. With 4 blue and 5 red kilometres of pistes, the ski area is very beginner and family-friendly. In addition to winter sports, the Tegelberg also offers highlights for culture vultures. From the top station of the cable car, visitors can stop off at the Tegelberghaus, the former hunting lodge of King Maximilian II, and enjoy regional delicacies with a magnificent view. The highest point of the ski area is also the starting point of the main run, which is almost 4.3 km long and allows winter sports enthusiasts to conquer a total of 900 metres in altitude.
5. Oberstaufen
Elevation: up to 1,708 m
It is only a stone’s throw from the Oberstaufen ski area to the three-country point of Germany/Austria/Switzerland. At an altitude of up to 1,708 m, it is not only one of the highest, but also one of the largest and most snow-sure ski areas in Germany with 53 kilometres of pistes, spread over the four Allski mountains of Sinswang, Hochgrad, Hündle/Thalkirchdorf and Steibis. Snow lovers will find the largest selection of pistes on the latter two, each with around 18 kilometres of pistes. Most of the slopes are marked blue, but some are also marked red, making them ideal for beginners and families. On the Hündle, the steep slope – as the name suggests – is a particular challenge for experts who want to conquer a piste that has already hosted World Cup races.
6. Großer Arber
Elevation: up to 1,456 m
The Großer Arber ski area on the mountain of the same name is one of the highest ski areas in Germany with an altitude of up to 1,456 metres. Nestled in the magnificent winter landscape of the Bavarian Forest, a total of 11.5 kilometres of pistes await you here. The varied slopes will delight beginners and experts alike. The most famous pistes include the World Cup run and the Arber downhill run. With a total of eleven lifts, including a modern gondola lift and two chairlifts, the Großer Arber is also very accessible for winter sports enthusiasts.
7. Hochficht
Elevation: up to 1,338 m
The Hochficht ski area is located in the heart of the Bavarian Forest. In an idyllic low mountain range location, skiers and snowboarders can let off steam on almost 20 kilometres of pistes in winter. The highest descent starts at 1,338 metres. With a total of eight lifts, most of which are comfortable chairlifts, the ski area has an excellent infrastructure that makes it easy for all winter sports enthusiasts to reach the slopes. Beginners and families feel particularly at home on 9 km of blue marked runs, while experts and pros can tackle the 10 kilometres of red runs and a 1 km black run, which are spread over the local FIS course and the challenging Zwieselberg run. Otherwise, the Hochficht ski area is an attractive winter destination due to its proximity to the border triangle of Germany/Austria/Czech Republic, as there are other ski areas waiting to be discovered.
8. Thalerhöhe
Elevation: up to 1,250 m
Small but beautiful. This is probably the best way to describe the Thalerhöhe ski area. Located just under 30 km north-east of Lake Constance, 4 kilometres of attractive pistes at an altitude of up to 1,250 m await you here. The flat slope with three lifts is an ideal practice area for beginners and families with children in the middle of the picturesque Allgäu, before moving on to the larger and more challenging ski areas in the region.
9. InterSkiregion Fichtelberg/Klínovec
Elevation: up to 1,244 m
As the name InterSkiregion Fichtelberg/Klínovec ski area suggests, the 47 kilometres of pistes are located in two countries. Germany and the Czech Republic share the area, which is one of the highest ski areas in both nations at up to 1,244 metres. As a cross-border winter sports destination in the Ore Mountains, just a few kilometres from the Nordic skiing mecca of Oberwiesenthal, skiers and snowboarders will find a great mix here. The majority of the pistes (23 km) are marked blue and are therefore beginner-friendly. The rest is reserved for experts with 18 km of red and 6 km of black runs. The most popular pistes in the ski area include the challenging descent on Fichtelberg and the varied pistes on Klínovec. The InterSkiregion is served by a total of 18 lifts, some of which are ultra-modern.
10. Skilifte Hochschwarzwald
Elevation: up to 1,200 m
In winter, the Black Forest is famous for the ski jumps in Titisee-Neustadt and Hinterzarten, which regularly host World Cup ski jumpers and Nordic combined athletes. But fans of alpine skiing will also find a number of downhill runs in the Hochschwarzwald ski area during the cold season. With an altitude of up to 1,200 metres, the ski area is one of the top 10 highest ski areas in Germany. A total of 10.5 kilometres of pistes await within sight of the Feldberg (1,493 m). The majority of these (8 km) are marked blue. This means that the ski area with its twelve T-bar lifts is considered very beginner-friendly among winter guests and is correspondingly popular with families with children. Away from the pistes, other winter sports highlights await, such as the Feldberg trail and the FIS cross-country ski trail, which lead through the beautiful landscape of the Black Forest and always offer wonderful views of the surrounding low mountain ranges.
FAQ’s on the highest ski areas in Germany
What is the highest ski area in Germany?
The highest ski area in Germany is the Garmisch-Classic/Zugspitze ski area. It lies at an altitude of 2,720 metres and offers 60 kilometres of well-prepared pistes of all levels of difficulty.
Which ski areas in Germany are family-friendly?
Several ski areas in Germany are family-friendly, including the Berchtesgaden region and the Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal ski area. Both offer many blue slopes that are ideal for beginners and children.
Which German ski area has the most kilometres of pistes?
With 128 kilometres of pistes, the Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal ski area offers the most downhill runs in Germany. It is located on the border with Austria and offers a variety of pistes with different levels of difficulty.
Which ski areas in Germany have the most lifts?
The Garmisch-Classic, Zugspitze ski region has 28 lifts and cable cars, including the spectacular Zugspitzbahn. The InterSkiregion Fichtelberg/Klínovec also has many lifts, 18 in total, spread over two countries.
Where can I find challenging ski runs in Germany?
Challenging runs can be found in the Garmisch-Classic/Zugspitze ski area, in particular on the Kandahar run. The Berchtesgadener Land also offers challenging slopes, including the deep snow runs and the 6 km long valley run from Rossfeld to Oberau.
