What the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn resort lacks in size it certainly makes up for in other areas. Located on the slopes of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, it can be accessed from both Bavaria and Tirol. The ski pistes extend all the way up onto the glacier, ensuring excellent conditions throughout the season.
Measuring a mighty 2,962 metres, the Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany and home to a spectacular ski resort just a few hundred metres below the summit on the Schneeferner glacier, Germany's largest. Although the pistes are actually on the German side of the mountain, they can be reached from Austria using the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car running from the village of Ehrwald. The journey from the valley floor to the summit takes only 10 minutes. Form there, a second lift takes skiers and snowboarders down onto the glacier.
The high alpine location at up to 2,720 metres above sea level and the cooling effect of the glacier make the resort very snowsure, with seaons often lasting up to seven months. On the sunny south-facing side of the mountain there is a small selection of blue (easy) and red (intermediate) pistes as well as some excellent freeriding. One highlight not to be missed is the view from the summit – on clear days you can see as far as Munich and the Bernina Mountains in Switzerland.
There are several huts and restaurants, including one on the summit, and an igloo village in the resort where visitors brave enough can even spend the night. Attractions away from the slopes include the permanent exhibition in the small museum on the peak.
Measuring a mighty 2,962 metres, the Zugspitze is the highest mountain in Germany and home to a spectacular ski resort just a few hundred metres below…
