Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Take a ski vacation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the undisputed ‘Winter Sports Capital’ of Germany. This is the most famous ski resort in Germany, located only a short distance from the Austrian border in the country’s southwestern corner. Just an hour’s drive away from Munich, Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two towns that came together in order to host the Winter Olympic Games in 1936.

The merged twin villages are nestled at the base of the country’s highest mountain, Zugspitze, and form the largest alpine vacation resort in the region. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is both a world-class ski resort and a summer vacation playground. Skiing goes on till early May and by June the resort is overrun by hikers, mountain-climbers, cyclists and others seeking high altitude sunshine. The population of the town doubles during each vacation season.

The vacation resort has an old world charm and quaint village atmosphere that is sure to enchant visitors. The resort has other claims to fame besides having hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics. This premier ski destination is well known for its annual New Year ski jumping competition. It is also one of the traditional downhill skiing race venues on the treacherous Kandahar course. Bavaria’s first cable car was built on the Kreuzeck in 1929 and the cog railway to the Zugspitz glacier was completed four years later.

Garmisch offers some runs and terrain suitable for all levels of skiers. There are also some excellent board runs that will delight snowboarders. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is home to extremely well run ski schools and the region is also very popular with experts and intermediate skiers. The main ski areas are in the Hausberg, Osterfelder and Kruezeck regions. The Zugspitz glacier is quite distinct from the lower pistes. One of the world’s tallest verticals is served by a lift that rises to the mighty Zugspitz.

The town is surrounded by great scenic beauty dominated by the majestic Zugspitz. The ancient town is also rich in history and culture. Many of the older buildings of the village are decorated with beautiful frescoes and many of these wall paintings are centuries old.