Garmisch Partenkirchen
Experience Olympic heritage skiing beneath Germany's highest peak. Discover diverse terrain from gentle slopes to glacier skiing, traditional Bavarian charm, and access to Zugspitze.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
12 Dec 2026
Closes
29 Mar 2027
Days open
107
Annual snow
1.6m
The Overview
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a world-class winter sports destination located in the heart of the Bavarian Alps in southern Germany. This picturesque resort is known for its stunning mountain scenery, diverse ski terrain, and charming Bavarian village atmosphere. With nearly 90 kilometers of well-groomed slopes and 40 modern lifts, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a fantastic skiing and snowboarding experience for all skill levels. The resort's three main ski areas - Classic, Zugspitze, and Alpspitze - provide a wide variety of runs, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging expert terrain, including the famous Kandahar downhill course, which hosts the annual World Cup alpine skiing races. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time skier, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Resort promises an unforgettable winter adventure in the heart of the Bavarian Alps.
1310m
Vertical
30
Runs
40 km
Piste
1.6m
Annual snow
Garmisch Classic
Pass
The Terrain
30 runs across 40 km of piste
Garmisch Partenkirchen is the Bavarian town beneath the Garmisch-Classic ski area, which is spread over the Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitz, with 30 runs and 40 kilometres of piste between 740 and 2,050 metres. That gives a vertical of 1,310 metres, among the largest in Germany. The grading is 30% beginner, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced and 5% expert, one of the few German areas with an expert rating at all. Cable cars, gondolas, chairs and T-bars serve three separate mountains, so planning your day by sector helps.
The Kandahar at Kreuzeck is the headline run, a steep and long race piste used for World Cup events that only strong skiers should attempt. The Olympia Abfahrt, from the 1936 Winter Olympics course, splits off lower down and is a little gentler. The Hausberg is the beginner mountain, with practice areas, a children's zone and a ski school. Intermediates will find plenty of mid-pitch cruising on Kreuzeck and Alpspitz. Garmisch-Classic suits mixed groups, ambitious intermediates and advanced skiers wanting steeper pistes close to Munich. It can be busy on weekends, and lift lines build at the main cable cars.
Terrain split
30
runs
30 runs across 4 grades
Beginner9 runs · 30%
Intermediate14 runs · 45%
Advanced6 runs · 20%
Expert2 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Garmisch Partenkirchen
The ski season at Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski resort typically runs from late November to early May, offering a long and varied winter sports experience. Thanks to its high elevation and extensive snowmaking capabilities, the resort ensures reliable snow conditions throughout the season. The Zugspitze glacier, in particular, offers skiing and snowboarding opportunities well into the spring months. Garmisch-Partenkirchen receives an average annual snowfall of around 4 meters, providing excellent conditions for both groomed runs and off-piste adventures. The resort's diverse terrain caters to all skill levels, from wide, gentle slopes for beginners to steep, challenging runs for experts. Whether you visit during the peak winter months or the early and late seasons, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Resort guarantees a memorable and enjoyable snow experience in a stunning Alpine setting.
Season 2026 - 2027
12 Dec 2026
Opens
29 Mar 2027
Closes
107
Days open
1.6 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Garmisch Partenkirchen
Daily snow reports at Garmisch Partenkirchen go back to 2017, 10 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
75 cm
Snowiest day
7 Jan 2019
32 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
142 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Garmisch Partenkirchen, and where to stay
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Munich, Germany. The resort is easily accessible by both car and public transportation, making it a popular destination for both local and international visitors. If you're driving, the resort is just a 1-hour drive from Munich via the A95 motorway. For those traveling by train, the Garmisch-Partenkirchen railway station is conveniently located in the center of town, with regular connections to Munich and other major cities in Germany. The resort's prime location in the picturesque Bavarian Alps offers not only world-class skiing and snowboarding but also a wide range of other winter activities, such as cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and ice skating. With its stunning natural beauty, charming Bavarian architecture, and easy accessibility, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Resort is an ideal destination for an unforgettable winter holiday in Germany.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Garmisch Partenkirchen, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Beaver Creek Installs 16 Automated Snow Guns on Birds of Prey Ahead of Record World Cup
Beaver Creek is getting ready for the biggest Birds of Prey ever, and this time it is not leaving the snow to chance. Crews started making snow on 27 October with 16 newly installed automated guns on the lower third of the course, after last December’s warm spell forced a downhill off the schedule. Seven races across two weekends run from 3 to 13 December, the most the course has hosted since its 1997 debut, and the guns start themselves whenever the weather allows.
29 Oct 2026
Arapahoe Basin Opens First for North America’s 2026/27 Ski Season
Winter has officially started in North America, and it is one blue run long. On Wednesday 28 October, Arapahoe Basin fired up the Black Mountain Express at around 10:30 am after a surprise announcement just hours earlier, becoming the first major North American resort open for 2026/27. Cold nights, a dusting of natural snow and a lot of snowmaking made it happen in the resort’s 80th winter. More terrain is promised as the snow guns keep running.
28 Oct 2026
Garmisch Partenkirchen Snow Report
Snow Report
Updated 31 Oct 2026
2050m
summit
+0cm
new snow · last 24 hours
Mainly Clear-2°C / 3°C · NE 7km/h
Snowfall
24 hours
0cm
48 hours
0cm
7 days
15cm
Base depth
0cm
Season total
32cm
Typical winter 142cm
Total lifts16
Live open status isn’t available right now.
12 Dec 2026 - 29 Mar 2027
Hour by Hour
Next 43 hours· Updated Oct 31, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
1,788 mUpdated Oct 31, 2026 at 5:02 AMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
2.2cm
Days 8–14
0.0cm
Sat, Oct 31
Foggy
Temp3° / -2°°C
Snow0.0cm(3%)
Wind7 km/h NE
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Garmisch Partenkirchen snow report
Garmisch Partenkirchen snow conditions, updated regularly: current snowfall, snow depth, temperatures, and the outlook for this Germany resort on the Garmisch Classic.
Snow measurements
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 740m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 1310m higher at 2050m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Weather conditions
Snow quality tracks closely with temperature and wind. We surface both alongside the snowfall data so you can judge whether conditions at Garmisch Partenkirchen are holding up or starting to soften.
Data sources
Snowfall and depth figures for Garmisch Partenkirchen come from official mountain sources; weather and outlook data comes from independent forecasting services. The mountain is served by 16 lifts, including 2 aerial trams and a quad chairlift.
When to check
Snow reports are typically updated early morning and late afternoon. For the most current conditions, check back regularly, especially if a winter storm is approaching.