
Wendelstein delivers a unique Bavarian skiing experience on one of the region's most distinctive mountains, with 6km of varied terrain reaching 1,840m. This historic mountain features spectacular 360-degree panoramic views across the Bavarian Alps and into Austria. The manageable size makes Wendelstein perfect for families and casual skiers seeking authentic Alpine experiences without overwhelming terrain, while the impressive scenery and unique cogwheel railway access create unforgettable mountain memories.
Wendelstein is unusual among German ski areas: only six runs over 11.2 kilometres, but a vertical of 932 metres from 791 to 1,723 metres. There is no beginner terrain at all, with 63% intermediate and 37% advanced. A cable car from the Bayrischzell side carries skiers to the upper mountain, supplemented by two T-bars, and that single artery defines the day. It is a small, serious ski area for those who want a proper descent rather than a lot of choice, with the Bavarian foothills visible across the valley.
The skiing here is all red and black, mostly long fall-line descents back down towards the valley, and conditions matter more than at gentler hills. The long runs deliver a real workout for the legs, particularly on firm snow, and the open upper slopes give a high-mountain feel unusual so close to Munich. This is not a place for beginners or children learning to turn. Wendelstein suits solid intermediates and advanced skiers who enjoy sustained pitches over variety, and who are happy to check conditions before heading up the cable car.
Wendelstein typically operates from December through March, with the most reliable conditions in January and February. The resort benefits from its elevated position and distinctive cone-shaped peak, which captures snow effectively during winter storms. The predominantly north-facing slopes maintain good snow quality throughout the season, preserving conditions after snowfall. The relatively quiet atmosphere makes it particularly appealing during weekends when larger resorts face overcrowding.
Located in Upper Bavaria approximately 70km from Munich and 40km from Rosenheim, Wendelstein offers exceptional accessibility while maintaining an authentic Alpine atmosphere. The resort sits between the Inntal and Leitzachtal valleys, creating a dramatic landmark visible from throughout the region. This convenient location makes it extremely popular for day trips, with excellent public transport connections via the historic cogwheel railway from Brannenburg. The surrounding region offers additional winter activities and charming Bavarian villages known for their traditional architecture and excellent Alpine cuisine.
Hotels and lodges near Wendelstein, powered by Stay22.

Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.

Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.

Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.

Hintertux became Austria's second glacier to open for 2026-27 on Friday 2 October, after the Pitztal Glacier. Twelve kilometres of piste are running around the Olperer and Gefrorene Wand, served by one gondola and two drag lifts, with the Betterpark also open. Lifts officially run 8:15 am to 4:30 pm, but skiing stops at 2 pm for now.

A historically poor western winter cut Vail Resorts' annual net income from $280 million to $147.5 million and skier visits by 13.4 per cent. Now 2026-27 pass units are down 12 per cent as of 18 September, worse than the 10 per cent flagged in spring. Vail blames the weather and thinks some buyers are simply waiting, and it forecasts a rebound if the snow behaves.

Arizona Snowbowl advertised eight $1 lift ticket days this winter. Go looking and only three are showing - 10 March, 1 April and 10 April - so the rest may already have gone. The consolation is a calendar full of $9 days, including all but one day in April. Opening day is 20 November, weather permitting, and opening weekend is $19.

For years, Whitewater's Short Side was where you ducked a rope and hoped for the best: unmapped, ungroomed and unpatrolled. This winter it's inbounds. Six new runs of glades and fall-line skiing add 190 acres (about 77 hectares), taking the resort past 1,400 acres in total. F2 Logging spent a month in the trees to make it happen, and opening day is pencilled in for 4 December. Bonanza now needs less snow to groom, too.
Wendelstein's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 26 through March 15. That window is roughly 79 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Germany, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
Wendelstein lists about 11.2 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 6 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
Trail grading at Wendelstein breaks down roughly as 63% intermediate, 37% advanced. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
Wendelstein operates 3 lifts across 2 lift types. The fleet includes 2 t-bars and 1 aerial tram.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
Base elevation at Wendelstein is about 791 m (2,595 ft), with the summit around 1,723 m (5,653 ft), giving roughly 932 m (3,058 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
Wendelstein averages about 168 cm (66 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €27 to €47, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Contact the resort ticket office or check our lift tickets page for the latest purchase options.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
SnowStash pulls together 1 live mountain webcam, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Wendelstein so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Wendelstein. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Wendelstein sits in Germany, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.