
Hinterstaufen delivers an authentic Bavarian skiing experience in the Allgäu Alps, with 7km of carefully maintained slopes catering primarily to families and intermediate skiers. This compact resort maintains a traditional Alpine character away from mass tourism, offering uncrowded pistes and spectacular mountain panoramas. The manageable size makes it perfect for beginners and children, while still providing enough variety to keep improving skiers engaged throughout their visit.
Hinterstaufen, home of the Hündle area above Oberstaufen, covers 19 runs and 18 kilometres between 745 metres and 1,170 metres, a vertical of 425 metres. More than half the terrain is beginner-graded at 56%, with 41% intermediate and just 3% advanced, and no expert runs. This is a low-altitude, easygoing hill where learners are well looked after. Uphill transport is a gondola, a six-seater chair, a surface lift and five T-bars, which is plenty for the size of the area and keeps the lines moving without fuss.
Expect long, forgiving blues that wind down towards the valley, with a handful of reds for those who want a bit more pace. A dedicated children's area at the base and a beginner zone higher up make the Hündlebahn a sensible pick for ski school groups and first-timers. Better skiers can still enjoy a few quick laps, but the advanced share is tiny, so keen riders should treat this as a day-trip rather than a destination. Its modest elevation also means conditions depend heavily on recent weather and the snowmaking.
Hinterstaufen typically operates from mid-December through mid-March, with the best snow conditions usually found in January and February. The resort's snowmaking capabilities cover key runs, ensuring reliable skiing throughout the winter despite its relatively moderate altitude. The north-facing slopes hold snow exceptionally well, often maintaining good conditions when other nearby areas experience thawing. The relaxed atmosphere makes it particularly appealing during peak holiday periods when larger resorts face overcrowding.
Located near Oberstaufen in Bavaria's beautiful Allgäu region, Hinterstaufen sits approximately 180km from Munich and 50km from Lake Constance. The resort benefits from easy access via excellent road connections while maintaining its secluded mountain character. This location provides visitors with opportunities to combine skiing with exploration of the charming Allgäu countryside and traditional Bavarian villages. The nearby town of Oberstaufen offers additional attractions including thermal spas and traditional restaurants serving authentic regional cuisine.
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Zermatt is having another crack at a World Cup downhill, and this time nobody has to cross a border. Around 13 million Swiss francs is going into rebuilding the Gornergrat piste, including a jump fed by a roughly 300-metre in-run across the roof of the Gornergrat Railway gallery, with the Matterhorn lined up behind it for the TV cameras. First men’s race is pencilled in for March 2028, pending FIS homologation.

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Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.

Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.
More Hinterstaufen intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.