Things to Do in Garmisch Partenkirchen-Winter
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a great destination all year long. There are so many fun outdoor activities to do, there’s truly something for everyone! Of course, if you come to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the winter, skiing and snowboarding are big activities. But, if you don’t ski or snowboard, there’s plenty here to keep you busy. After living in Garmisch for over 2 years, here are some of my recommendations for the most fun and most talked about things to do during the Garmisch-Partenkirchen winter!
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Where to Stay in Garmisch
As a Garmisch resident, here are some of the places I would look at first when looking for a hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Aja Hotel, wellness hotel with pool, yoga classes, and a great restaurant
Bader Suites, modern, spacious, apartment style rooms with free parking
Moun 10, modern apartments very conveniently located by the train station, has a ski room and would make a great choice if you are coming to Garmisch by train
Garmisch is fairly compact, which is nice because you can stay a lot of places and still be close to the action. This map centers around the pedestrian area of Garmisch but you can zoom it out to find places closer to ski lifts or potentially in Grainau or the outskirts of Garmisch as well. Utilize the city bus to get to the ski slopes if you don’t want to drive or won’t have a car.
How to Get Around Garmisch
My recommendation is to rent a car. This gives you the most flexibility and driving is very easy in this area. Download the EasyPark app to pay for parking nearly everywhere in town.
If you don’t want to drive, you can also utilize the public bus. You must pay in cash on board the bus.
You can arrive into Garmisch from Munich or Innsbruck by train. Use Omio to compare train ticket prices.
What to Pack for Garmisch in Winter
The best way to stay warm in Garmisch in winter is to pack layers! Wool base layers and socks are the best, but any thermal layers under your outer layers of clothes will help you stay toasty and warm. Make sure to bring hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. Another thing that will help are hand warmers and toe warmers.
Visit this post for more recommendations on ski gear for kids.
The summit of the Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The tallest peak in Germany.
See the Zugspitze
There's one mountain that is the most famous in Garmisch-Zugspitze! It’s famous because it is the tallest point in Germany at 2962 meters high. But did you know that the peak is actually split between Germany and Austria? That’s right, you can actually cross the border at the top of the mountain (no passport check needed). You can get to the top in three ways:
Cable car from Grainau, Germany
Cable car from Ehrwald, Austria
Train (Zugspitzebahn) from Garmisch Partenkirchen
The views from the Zugspitze on a clear day.
The Zugspitze ticket price is not cheap at 61 Euros per adult, but if you go on a clear day, you will be happy you did. I always suggest checking the weather and the live cams before you buy your ticket. At the top you can rent toboggans and go sledding, enjoy a meal with a view, or ski on the glacier.
There are three restaurants at the top, two at the ski area (where the train arrives) and one at the summit. During the winter you can also find an igloo hotel at the top! Stay overnight in the igloo or just visit for fondue and drinks. During the day you can walk inside the igloo even if you are not a guest and check out the designs they have carved into the walls.
The cable car ride from Grainau only takes about 10 minutes. If you opt for the Zugspitzbahn train, the ride takes about an hour. Note the train and the cable car arrive at different places, but there is a smaller gondola which connects the two.
Sometimes during holiday breaks or busy times, the tickets can sell out. In order to secure your spot, it’s best if you buy your ticket online in advance.
You can check information, live cams for weather, and buy tickets here.
Let me save you some time and make your trip to Garmisch super easy with this downloadable Google Map! I’ve already added in all my favorite restaurants, hikes, places to ski, and favorite things to do and added notes on each one. You can download this right to your phone so it’s easy to use during your trip!
Eibsee is picture perfect in winter! Beautiful blue water with the snow covered mountains-gorgeous!
Take a walk at Eibsee
Eibsee is one of the most beautiful places in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The color of the lake is a beautiful turquoise blue, it almost looks tropical. In the summer or winter this is a gorgeous place to see.
You can walk all the way around the lake (7.5 km) or just a portion of it. We think it’s best to go counter clockwise around the lake because you’ll come to the best views early in the walk. Kids will love throwing rocks into the water or skipping it across the ice if it has frozen over. It shares a parking lot with the Zugspitze cable car (sielbahn), you could visit both on the same day.
There is a nice restaurant near the parking lot. This is the only food option on site in the winter, so either plan to eat here or bring a picnic.
The views in the valley of Alpspitz and Waxenstein do not get old!
Garmisch Valley Trails
One of my favorite things to do during the Garmisch-Partenkirchen winter, is to walk the trails in the valley. The mountain views are truly stunning and I think they are the most beautiful when blanketed in snow. The trails are maintained very well, I easily push my jogging stroller on them.
You may want to wear YakTrax if there has been recent snow to make sure you don’t slip. There’s a variety of trails between the Hausberg station and Alpspitzbahn. Pay attention to signs for cross country skiing paths, pedestrians are not supposed to walk on those.
If you’d like to cross country ski, you can rent gear from a variety of places in town. Just look for the words “skiverleih”.
Walking and playing along the pedestrian paths in Lermoos, Austria. Only a 25 minute drive from Garmisch.
You can also drive 25 minutes to Lermoos for another stunning valley walk or place to Nordic (cross country) ski. Park near the Golf Course and set out for a breathtaking winter walk. If you have little ones you might be surprised how entertained they will be just playing with the snow out here. They can make snow angels, throw snow into the creeks, or have a snowball fight.
Want to see Garmisch in the summer? Check out this post!
Frozen Partnachklamm is beautiful in winter.
Partnachklamm
This is another great place to visit year round but it has a special magic during the winter. Partnachklamm is a gorge that is cut by an icy blue river. In the winter Partnachklamm freezes over with huge icicles. It is really a sight to see! Sometimes torch-led night tours are available as well. Check the website for details.
For your kids, it will feel like walking through Elsa’s ice palace. Our kids also thought it was fun to walk through the cave portions of the trail. They even offer torchlight tours at night. Entry is 6 EUR per adult. And the earlier you get here the better. The line was doubly long when we came out versus when we went in.
Please be aware strollers can’t fit on this path. Some of the cave portions have a low clearance so if you are wearing a tall hiking backpack, you will likely have to duck to walk through portions of it. Also always be sure to check the website first because the klamm can close unexpectedly when the weather conditions make it unsafe.
Icy Partnachklamm in winter. Cold but magical!
Need some more European Winter Trip Ideas? Read about Winter in Salzburg next!
You can sled many places in Garmisch, even on the Zugspitze!
Sledding at Eckbauer or Wank
If you want to do some sledding with a view, head up the Eckbauerbahn or the Wankbahn (only open briefly during the Christmas holidays)! You can bring or rent a sled and have some fun racing down the sledding hills or even all the way down the mountain!
If you don’t want to buy a ticket to use the cable cars, you can also find sledding hills at the Olympic ski jump or at the bottom of Alpspitz and Kruezeck. Be careful not to sled in the middle of a ski run, that can be quite dangerous.
As mentioned earlier, it is also possible to sled on top of the Zugspitze near the ski area (even year round).
Ice skating on the temporary outdoor rink in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Ice Skating at Riesersee, Pflegersee, or Ice Rink
During the Garmisch-Partenkirchen winter, some of the lakes get so cold that they freeze solid! You can bring some skates and skate around Riessersee or Pflegersee surrounded by mountain views. Make sure you check the warning signs before you do!
At Riessersee you can also see the old Olympic bobsled track from the 1930’s. If you hike to the top, there’s a bobsled you can sit in. Other trails will lead you over to Kreuzeck.
At Pflegersee you can also check out the Werdenfels castle ruins or hike on the Kramerplateauweg. It’s a great trail with panoramic mountain views on a clear day. You’ll find a restaurant up at the Pflegersee and also the Alm Hütte is nearby and is very good. It has an outdoor playground to entertain kids. They are known for their giant cream puff desserts!
If an indoor rink is more your style, head over to the Olympic Ice Stadium and you can skate there. Temporarily, there will also be a small ice rink set up in the Mohrenplatz in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It is set up in December through early January.
Sledding is a family affair in Garmisch!
Night Sledding or Night Skiing
Just over the border from Garmisch, in Austria, there are a few places that offer night skiing and night sledding. Biberwier does night sledding every Friday and it looks to be the more tame option as compared to Ehrwald Almbahn.
If you really want a thrill, head over to Ehrwald. Their night sledding is only on select dates but it’s supposed to be quite the ride! A friend suggested to me to wear head lamps to make it easier to see and so you can see your kids better. This is quite literally sledding down the mountain. You’ll ride the cable car to the top and sled down the ski path to the bottom.
If you want to try night skiing, Lermoos is the place! This is also only offered on a limited number of nights, so make sure you check the website for details.
Her sweatshirt says it all-Ski Garmisch!
Where to Ski or Snowboard in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
There are two main areas in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for skiing.
Each of these has different ticket options. Make sure you look at them closely so you can decide which one would be best for your visit. The Garmisch Classic ticket will get you on the ski runs above Hausberg, Kreuzeck, and Alpspitz. There are several ski schools located in Garmisch near the Hausberg lift.
Hausberg is the best spot for beginners. That is where you will find the magic carpet and the bunny hill for learning. I recommend getting some lessons if this will be your first time skiing. It’s best for you and best for the skiers around you so that everyone stays safe. You can find English speaking instructors at:
Edelweiss Lodge (if you are American military)
The Zugspitze ticket is only for that area. This area has a smaller number of ski runs, but if you want to ski the top of Germany, this is where you go! This area will be open the longest, typically opening from early December until the end of April.
Need help with what winter and ski gear to buy? Check out this post!
Nearby Garmisch in Austria there are also some ski areas, often times the conditions here are better than in Garmisch and often less crowded:
There are several different ticket options and passes, check online for details and to see which is the best fit for your trip. Since it is over the border, you need to carry your passport. You do not need an Austrian vignette for driving to any of these spots from Garmisch, as you will not be on the autobahn.
My family likes Ehrwald the best. It has a big variety of runs, a fun slope for kids, some jumps, and nice restaurants. There is a ski school here as well as a kindergarten where you can drop your kids off (for a charge) and ski.
My daughter attempting a ski jump in Garmisch.
Lermoos has a little more challenging conditions and tends to be a more icy than Ehrwald if there hasn’t been a lot of fresh snow. I have heard people recommend the ski school here, but it is at the bottom of the mountain and separated from the other ski runs. Lermoos has the most amazing views of the Zugspitze though. Recommend it if your group has intermediate to advanced skiers, there’s been some fresh snow, and it’s a clear day.
Biberwihr is great for beginners. There is a magic carpet here with a gentle bunny hill. Ski instructors give lessons here too. There’s no enclosed gondola here, only chairlifts.
In general you can expect to pay around 30 Euros per hour for group ski lessons for kids in this area. Private lessons would be more expensive.
The Olympic ski jumps from the 1930’s still get used in competitions every New Year!
Special Events
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Christmas Market
The Christmas Market in Garmisch is small and cozy. You won’t find too much shopping but you will find plenty of glühwein and festive vibes. The market gets more magical in the snow. You can also day trip to bigger markets in Innsbruck and Munich.
New Years Ski Jump Competition
On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day there is typically a competition at the Olympic Ski Jump! The atmosphere is like a big party, expect beer and food booths, lots of flags and cheering for the different ski jumpers. Tickets are cheaper on New Year’s Eve because that’s the qualifying dace for the actual competition on New Year’s Day.
FIS World Cup
In late January or February there is a downhill skiing competition near Kreuzeck & Alpspitz. There will be stands set up for watching the skiers fly down the mountain with a stunning mountain landscape as a backdrop. Also a very fun, party-like atmosphere.
Fasching
The Fasching celebrations really get going the Thursday before Fat Tuesday. Fasching is the carnival season in Germany. You can expect to find parades in several cities (to include Garmisch and Partenkirchen) and pack your costumes for the ski slopes! It’s like Halloween on the mountains! The celebrations are done by Ash Wednesday.
If you come to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in winter, you’ll have no shortage of things to do! This list is only the starting point. There’s a reason this is a favorite destination in Germany. The beauty is all around you in Garmisch! Have you been to Garmisch before? Would you consider coming to Garmisch in winter? Let me know in the comments!
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