
Kranzberg delivers a charming Bavarian skiing experience just 80km from Munich, with 8km of diverse slopes perfect for families and intermediate skiers. This accessible mountain combines excellent learning terrain with several challenging runs through beautiful forest sections. The relaxed atmosphere and stunning views of the Karwendel and Wetterstein ranges, including the famous Zugspitze, make Kranzberg an excellent choice for those seeking authentic Alpine experiences without traveling to larger, busier resorts.
Kranzberg is Mittenwald's village ski hill, with 15 runs and 15 kilometres of piste between 980 metres and 1,350 metres, a vertical of 370 metres. The split is 40% beginner, 47% intermediate and 13% advanced, with no expert terrain. A single chairlift carries skiers up from the edge of town, backed by two surface lifts and five T-bars. That is a lot of small lifts for a modest mountain, which spreads skiers across a variety of short pistes. It sits in the Wetterstein foothills, so the setting is more impressive than the vertical.
The old-style single chair is part of the character, and the area feels more like a local club hill than a commercial operation. Short pistes and uncomplicated lifts make it a sound choice for families, school groups and intermediates wanting a relaxed day without a big lift pass. The advanced 13% offers a few steeper pitches but nothing sustained, so strong skiers will want to look to larger areas around Garmisch or Seefeld for more challenge. Combine a morning here with a walk in Mittenwald's old town for a gentle, rounded day out in the Bavarian Alps.
Kranzberg typically operates from December through March, with the most consistent conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its position in one of Bavaria's snowiest regions, receiving substantial natural snowfall supplemented by strategic snowmaking on main runs. The north-facing slopes maintain excellent snow quality throughout the season, often preserving powder days after storms. The peaceful atmosphere makes it particularly appealing during school holidays when larger resorts face overcrowding.
Located near Mittenwald in Upper Bavaria, Kranzberg sits approximately 100km south of Munich and just 7km from the Austrian border. The resort enjoys a spectacular position surrounded by impressive Alpine peaks, with easy access from major population centers. This convenient location allows for excellent day trips while maintaining an authentic mountain atmosphere. The historic town of Mittenwald, famous for its violin-making tradition and beautifully painted buildings, provides charming accommodation options and excellent dining serving authentic Bavarian specialties.
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A large avalanche struck near Laguna del Inca adjacent to Ski Portillo on Saturday afternoon, killing four people and injuring four others. The group were day visitors mountaineering in the backcountry after reportedly being warned about elevated avalanche risk by resort staff.

Europe’s ski season is open, technically. After a record-warm summer, glaciers in Austria, Switzerland and Italy are running a few pistes apiece, Sölden, Stubai and Kitzsteinhorn started late, Titlis has pushed back to 24 October, and Zermatt reopens a few lifts on 14 October after more than two months shut. Finland’s Levi and Ruka are skiing on stored snow. Here is what is open, and what you actually get at each.

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.

Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation is paying off early: Mt. Rose has started making snow for 2026-27 after the first flurries and a cold snap. The Nevada resort is backing it with nearly US$2 million in upgrades, including a replacement snowmaking main line, a new PistenBully groomer and restraint bars on every lift. Opening day is yet to be confirmed, though Heavenly and Northstar are already eyeing 20 November.

Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.

Mt Hutt is getting busier, and its base lodge is about to catch up. NZ$12 million goes into a heated sun deck roughly three times the current size (430 m² to 1,300 m²), plus a new toilet block, heated steps down to snow level, extra storage and a new food and beverage outlet. Building starts after the 2026 season, with everything due for winter 2027.

Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.

Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 19, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Kranzberg typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from €22, with peak rates up to €32.
Full day lift ticket for adults
Full day lift ticket for youth
Full day lift ticket for children
More Kranzberg intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.