Germany, Europe · Garmisch Classic Pass

Zugspitze

Experience skiing atop Germany's highest peak. Discover guaranteed glacier snow, spectacular views, and high-Alpine atmosphere.

Season 2025 - 2026

Opens

30 Nov 2025

Closes

11 May 2026

Days open

162

Annual snow

The Overview

As Germany's highest ski area, the Zugspitze peaks at 2,962 meters, offering reliable snow conditions and spectacular views across four countries. The glacier ski area delivers 20 kilometers of predominantly intermediate slopes in a dramatic high-alpine setting. Beyond the glacier, the connected Garmisch-Classic area provides additional varied terrain. The Zugspitze's unique position as Germany's alpine crown creates an unforgettable skiing experience, combining high-altitude glacier runs with panoramic vistas of over 400 peaks in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.

720m

Vertical

Runs

20 km

Piste

Annual snow

Garmisch Classic Pass

Pass

The Terrain

11 runs across 20 km of piste

Zugspitze spreads 11 runs across 20 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 40%, with 4 beginner runs to find your feet and 3 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

Terrain split

runs

11 runs across 4 grades

Beginner4 runs · 35%

Intermediate4 runs · 40%

Advanced2 runs · 20%

Expert1 run · 5%

Time it right

When to visit Zugspitze

The glacier ski area typically operates from November through May, offering Germany's most reliable snow conditions. At this altitude, natural snowfall averages 350cm annually, while the glacier location helps maintain consistent conditions throughout the season. The area's high-alpine position above 2,000 meters ensures good snow preservation, particularly on north-facing slopes. Snowmaking supplements natural coverage on key runs, though the glacier environment generally maintains excellent natural conditions.

Season 2025 - 2026

30 Nov 2025

Opens

11 May 2026

Closes

162

Days open

9 m

Annual snow

Getting there

Getting to Zugspitze, and where to stay

The Zugspitze rises above the traditional Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, just 90 kilometers south of Munich. Access is possible from both the German and Austrian sides, with the main cable car departing from Eibsee. The resort's proximity to Munich Airport (2 hours) makes it easily accessible for international visitors. The base town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen combines classic Bavarian culture with modern amenities, offering extensive accommodation options and authentic Alpine atmosphere.

Where to stay

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Hotels and lodges near Zugspitze, powered by Stay22.

From the SnowStash desk

View all news →

Sundance Mountain Resort Is Getting a New High-Speed Quad and More Back Mountain Terrain This Winter

Sundance Mountain Resort's back mountain is finally getting a proper lift. The Electric Horseman Express opens for 2026-27, unlocking a new bowl next to Bishop's Bowl and three expert gladed chutes across roughly 105 fresh acres - on top of the Storyteller ridge run that debuted in preview form last season. It's Sundance's biggest expansion since 1985, and it turns a three-lift slog into a single six-minute ride to Bearclaw Summit.

19 Aug 2026

Nassfeld Invests €13 Million in New 6-Seater Chairlift for 2026/27 Season

Nassfeld is putting €13 million into a new 6-seater chairlift, the Tressdorfer Almbahn, connecting Sonnleitn with the Tressdorfer Alm from December 2026. It replaces three ageing drag lifts and will run through summer too, from June 2027, moving up to 2,500 people an hour on the roughly three-minute ride. It's the latest step in Carinthia's largest ski resort building out a genuine year-round offering, following last year's Gartnerkofelbahn gondola.

17 Aug 2026

Stelvio Glacier Suspends Summer Skiing, Leaving Continental Europe Without a Lift-Served Slope

Italy's Stelvio Glacier has pulled the plug on summer skiing from August 15. It was the last lift-served ski option left standing in continental Europe, and now there's none. Operator SIFAS pointed to persistent heat, storms, and a snowpack that simply wasn't refreezing overnight anymore. The cable car keeps running. Whether skiing comes back later this summer depends on the weather turning - and right now, nobody's promising anything.

15 Aug 2026

Maverick Mountain's Only Chairlift Destroyed as Sand Creek Fire Tears Through Montana Ski Area

Firefighters saved every base building at Maverick Mountain, Montana, but the resort's sole chairlift didn't survive the Sand Creek Fire. Owners Erik and Kristi Borge say the lift is "most likely" out for the 2026/27 season after flames tore through the mountain on August 8. The wildfire has since grown past 27,700 acres with zero percent containment. It's a gutting result for the tiny, one-lift operation near Dillon - though the lodge, groomers and equipment all made it through untouched.

15 Aug 2026

Fairmont Niseko: New Luxury Resort Revives Stalled La Plume Site for Early 2028 Opening

Fairmont is bringing its second Japanese property to Niseko, and this one's got history. The 165-room resort will rise on the site of the stalled La Plume project, which collapsed into bankruptcy in 2025 before J-Will Partners bought the site for redevelopment. Set between Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri, it's slated for an early 2028 opening - putting it in play for the 2027/28 season. Expect two restaurants, a spa, onsen bathing, and a kids' club, a short drive from Niseko Village and Hirafu.

12 Aug 2026

Saas-Fee Closes Its Glacier to Summer Skiing as Heat Wave Drags On

Saas-Fee is closing its glacier to summer skiing from Monday, August 10 - the second major Swiss resort to shut in under two weeks after Zermatt suspended operations on August 1. Persistent heat and warm nights that won't let the glacier refreeze are behind the call, per Saastal Bergbahnen. That leaves Italy's Stelvio as the only glacier ski area open in the Alps. Reopening could come as early as August 17, though nothing's confirmed - and racing teams are already looking south instead.

8 Aug 2026

Silvretta Montafon Plans New 10-Person Gondola to Replace Ageing Hochjoch Lift

Silvretta Montafon wants to retire one of its most distinctive lifts. The plan: a single 10-person gondola running direct from Schruns to 1,870 metres, replacing both the two-stage Hochjoch cable car and the 1985 Kropfen chairlift in one move. Capacity jumps from 620 to 3,000 people an hour, and the mid-station transfer disappears entirely. The public hearing lands August 27, 2026 - construction hasn't been confirmed yet, though lift databases are pointing to 2027.

5 Aug 2026

Ski Pass on Your Smartphone: Dolomiti Superski's Plans for the Next Three Years

Dolomiti Superski's general assembly has unanimously re-elected Andy Varallo for a third consecutive term, running through 2029. Alongside the leadership renewal comes a bigger shift: a Smartpass that puts your ski pass on your smartphone, more AI in guest services, and an expanded Dolomiti Supersummer program. The 46-year-old Alta Badia cable car entrepreneur says the region's marketing is moving beyond skiing alone, toward positioning the Dolomites as a year-round destination.

4 Aug 2026

Current conditions

Snow Report

Updated 20 Aug 2026

2720m

summit

+0cm

new snow · last 24 hours

Overcast1°C / 7°C · W 29km/h

Snowfall

24 hours

0cm

48 hours

0cm

7 days

0cm

Base depth

0cm

Season total

0cm

Total lifts9

Live open status isn’t available right now.

30 Nov 2025 - 11 May 2026

Hour by Hour

Next 42 hours· Updated Aug 20, 2026 at 6:02 PM

	FriNow	1a	2a	3a	4a	5a	6a	7a	8a	9a	10a	11a	12p	1p	2p	3p	4p	5p	6p	7p	8p	9p	10p	11p	Sat12a	1a	2a	3a	4a	5a	6a	7a	8a	9a	10a	11a	12p	1p	2p	3p	4p	5p
Conditions
Temp°C · feels	53 52 51 63 53 53 52 52 52 53 64 64 74 64 64 63 51 2-5 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-5 0-5 0-6 0-7 0-7 0-6 -1-6 -1-6 0-6 1-5 1-4 2-2 30 41 52 51 41
Snowfallcm	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Precip chance%	90%	73%	70%	40%	35%	25%	33%	43%	60%	50%	30%	28%	38%	75%	100%	95%	98%	100%	98%	95%	90%	60%	63%	65%	58%	45%	20%	15%	10%	8%	5%	3%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Precipmm	2.2	1.7	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.4	3.5	2.4	1.3	5.7	3.4	1.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.1	0	0	0	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Wind / gustkm/h	9G29	13G35	13G36	10G30	2G22	4G10	7G15	7G17	8G22	7G22	6G24	7G25	8G31	8G35	8G28	12G32	18G47	29G55	23G46	21G41	20G45	22G53	21G53	21G51	21G50	22G53	19G50	23G48	26G44	27G58	23G61	20G51	22G50	22G50	22G48	21G45	16G39	12G39	10G37	8G34	8G34	9G34

Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo

7-Day Outlook

2,720 mUpdated Aug 20, 2026 at 6:02 PMOpen-Meteo

Days 1–7

0.0cm

Days 8–14

0.0cm

Unlock days 8–14

Free account required

Fri, Aug 21

Slight Rain Showers

Temp7° / 1°°C

Snow0.0cm(100%)

Wind29 km/h W

Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.

Understanding the Zugspitze snow report

See what's happening on the mountain at Zugspitze right now — snowfall, snow depth, and weather data to help you plan your day in Germany.

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 2000m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 720m higher at 2720m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.

Weather conditions

Current weather conditions affect snow quality. Cold temperatures with low wind typically preserve snow quality, while warm temperatures or rain can impact conditions negatively — something worth watching closely at Zugspitze's 2000m base elevation, where temperatures run milder than the summit.

Data sources

Snowfall and depth figures for Zugspitze come from official mountain sources; weather and outlook data comes from independent forecasting services. The mountain is served by 9 lifts, including 2 aerial trams and 2 6-person chairlifts.

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.