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
9m
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
11
Runs
20 km
Piste
9m
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
11
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Zugspitze, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
22 July 2026
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
22 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Hoshino Tomamu - Corporate Japan's Mountain Playground Revisited
Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.
21 July 2026
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.
21 July 2026
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
21 July 2026
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
21 July 2026
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
19 July 2026
Trail map & terrain
Terrain split
11
runs
Beginner35%
Intermediate40%
Advanced20%
Expert5%
20 km of piste
Resort Stats
Elevation
Base2000m
Summit2720m
Annual snowfall
9m
Season
2025 - 2026
30 Nov 2025 - 11 May 2026
Trail coverage
11 runs
20 km
About Zugspitze's trail map
Explore Zugspitze's full trail map with 11 runs across the mountain, colour-coded by difficulty and shown alongside the terrain split. Use it to plan a day that matches your ability, find lift-served pockets of your favourite grade, and see how the resort links together. Download the piste map (PDF) ↗
More Zugspitze intelligence: snow report, lift system, webcams, resort overview.