Ski tours in the Zugspitze Region

The Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at 2,962 metres, lies on the border between Germany and Austria. On the German side of the Zugspitze massif are the Bavarian municipalities of Grainau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and on the Austrian side the village of Ehrwald in the Tyrol. As the highest peak of the Wetterstein Mountains, the mighty Zugspitze is omnipresent on your ski tours in the region. If you want to experience the majestic mountain while ski mountaineering you will hardly get past the Gatterl. From the Ehrwalder Alm in the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena, the route leads up to the Gatterl. For the rest of the climb via the Knorrhütte and the Zugspitzplatt, you need good weather conditions as well as fitness and experience.

The Wetterstein mountains, characterised by rocky peaks and rugged nature, naturally have other impressive mountains to offer that invite you to go ski mountaineering. Beginners can gain their first experience on the well-signposted ski touring trail on the Kranzberg in Mittenwald. Twelve information boards along the trail provide you with valuable tips on ski touring.

In the Garmisch Classic ski area, beginners climb up to the Mauerschartenkopf with skins on their touring skis via the Stuibenhütte.
Tip: The touring ticket of the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn is the right combination ticket for this tour and offers you discounted use of the Alpspitzbahn and the Bernadein lift.

The ski tour route from the Eibsee via the Riffelriss descent to the Tunnelfenster is somewhat more demanding. This ski tour in the Zugspitz village of Grainau is sure to stay in your memory for a long time thanks to its panorama full of contrasts: On one side the striking, steeply rising Riffelw nde, on the other the wintry Eibsee lake with the Ammergebirge mountains behind - a real feast for the eyes!

Are you good at technique and fitness? Then perhaps ski mountaineering on the Alpspitze (2,628 m) will be your next challenge. A difference in altitude of more than 1,000 metres, the ascent to the summit via a narrow ridge and (in good weather conditions) a descent via the steep eastern slope - this ski tour above Garmisch-Partenkirchen is not classified as difficult for nothing.
Tip: If you don't dare to do the demanding tour alone, conquer the Alpspitze on a guided ski tour with a mountain guide.

The family-friendly ski area at Kolben in Oberammergau offers the first snow-covered ascent route in the Alps. Here you cross the ski slope underground when ski touring - conflicts between ski tourers and skiers are ruled out! The ski tour to the Kolbensattelhütte is easy and can be done in about an hour - ideal for tourers who are relatively new to the sport. A little treat for connoisseurs: Ski touring evenings are held regularly at the Kolbensattelhütte. Then the descent down into the valley is even possible until 11 p.m.

When the snow conditions are stable, experienced ski tourers continue their ascent in the direction of the pointed Zahn. Beyond the ski area, the route first leads through a wide forest aisle, then up a steep hollow. Close to the steep, jagged rocky ridge you finally reach the maximum altitude of 1,611 metres. The descent roughly follows the ascent route, from the Kolbensattelhütte onwards you can relax and ski down the slope.

Where else in Germany should winter sports enthusiasts expect plenty of snow and an extra-long winter season if not on the slopes of the Zugspitze? The ski area on the Zugspitzplatt lies at an altitude of 2,000 to 2,700 metres, so you can usually strap on your skis here from mid-November to the beginning of May.