© Hintertux.at

As soon as the first snowflakes have fallen, Munich’s skiers swarm out of the city and have fun on the ski slopes. The first Alpine hills are only three quarters of an hour away at Bad Tölz. Braun­eck has become the “home mountain” for Munich skiers – it’s perfect for spontaneous day trips. Spitzingsee ski resort is also very popular among locals – there are at least 30 km of slopes and the area is very scenic. Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a former Winter Olympics venue, is the most famous of the 25 ski resorts in Upper Bavaria.

The ski resorts near Munich are great for day outings and for those who like to sleep late in the morning. Early risers and weekenders can head for Tyrol in Austria where there are 100 resorts to make all your ski dreams come true. The Wilder Kaiser/Brixental area, comprising nine villages, is Tyrol’s biggest and most popular resort. Here there are 250 km of downhill slopes to tempt skiers. The Ischgl/Samnaun area is famous for being a party resort and you can ski all year on the Hintertux glacier at Zillertal.

If you have more time, you can drive to South Tyrol (Italy) and drop down from the Dolomites into one of the many beautiful valleys. Be warned – large numbers of Munich residents storm the slopes on Sundays so you’d be well advised to visit nearby resorts during the week. Otherwise, you’ll endure long traffic jams on the autobahn only to get out of the car and join more big queues at the ski lifts.

Bavarian Alps

Berchtesgadener Land
More than 60 km of runs spread over 6 ski and snowboard areas. The most difficult runs are at Jenner. You’ll find impressive cross-country ski runs here.
›› Distance: 161 km, A8 direction Salzburg, exit Bad Reichenhall, Snow-Hotline: 0 18 05/86 52 00, www.berchtesgadener-­land.com, Tel. 0 86 52/­9 58 10, www.jennerbahn.de

Brauneck-Lenggries
There are 35 km of runs for all ability levels at Brauneck, “Munich’s home mountain.” Even professionals slip up on the steep slope at Garland.
›› Distance: 53 km, A95 München-Garmisch, exit Sindelsdorf, Lenggries, Snow-Hotline: 0 80 42/50 18 0 or 0 80 42/50 39 40 , www.lenggries.de, www.brauneck-bergbahn.de

Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Most famous winter sports region in Germany. From the Alpspitze to the Hausberg, the Garmisch-Classic ski region has about 40 km of slopes of every degree of difficulty. The Olympia and Kandahar downhill runs are world-famous, with the annual World Cup races and a large range of après-ski activities. Don’t miss the Olympic ski jump!
›› www.garmisch-partenkirchen.de

Zugspitze
Germany’s highest mountain (2,962 m) is also Germany’s only glacier skiing region, with 22 km downhill runs; good possibilities for deep-snow skiing away from the ski runs. Snowboarders and free skiers can find great freestyle possibilities in the “Terrain Park Zugspitze.” Restaurants at the top with a grandiose panorama view over four countries. The Zugspitze round trip makes it possible to become familiar with Germany’s highest peak in a unique way. With this ticket, you can take the cog railway from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau or Eibsee to the Zugspitze and ride the Eibsee cable car back down into the valley – these glacier railways can be used as often as you like. Both the area surrounding the peak and the Zugspitzplatt provide additional interesting highlights.
›› Distance: 89 km, A95 direction Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Snow-Hotline: 0 88 21/79 79 79, www.zugspitze.de, www.grainau.de

Mittenwald
Only free-riding ski area in Germany. The 6.5 km long Dammkar run is a big attraction for Alpine skiers because it’s one of the most beautiful ski runs in the world. The Alpine panorama of the Karwendel mountain range is breathtaking.
›› Distance: 111 km, A95 direction Garmisch-Partenkirchen until the end of the highway, B2 to Mittenwald, Tel. 0 88 23/33 39 81, Snow-Hotline: 0 88 23/53 96, www.mittenwald.de, www.dammkar.de, www.karwendelbahn.de, www.skiparadies-kranzberg.de

Spitzingsee
Most popular family ski resort for Munich residents and also a snowboarders paradise. Two ski mountains offer 30 km of slopes with all grades of difficulty here. Families prefer Stümpfling while Taubenstein is popular with older ski bunnies.
›› Distance: 64 km, A8 direction Salzburg, Ausfahrt Weyarn, direction Miesbach/Schliersee, Snow-Hotline: 08 02 66 00 09, www.spitzingsee.de

Sudelfeld
Sudelfeld is one of the biggest ski resorts in Upper Bavaria. Some 30 km of runs extend into open country. This is an ideal family ski resort. Attractions for snowboarders as well as 50 km of cross-country ski runs.
›› Distance: 79 km, A8 direction Salzburg, exit Weyarn, B307 to Bayrischzell/Sudelfeld, Snow-Hotline: 0 80 23/4 28, www.­sudelfeld.de, www.wendelsteinbahn.de

Tegernseer Tal
There are 19 km of mostly easy runs around Tegernsee, better known for its beautiful ski tours. There is a 3.2 km, non-prepared ski run for lovers of off-piste skiing and Germany’s longest winter sledging run at 6.5 km at Wallberg.
›› Distance: 56 km, A8 direction Salzburg, Ausfahrt Holzkirchen, B318
›› Tegernseer Tal: Tel. 0 80 22/ 92 73 80, www.tegernsee.com
›› Wallbergbahn: 83700 Rottach-Egern, Wallbergstr. 26, Tel. 0 80 22/70 53 70, www.wallbergbahn.de

Winklmoosalm/Steinplatte
Vast ski resort near Reit im Winkl, suitable for every taste with 44 km of runs.
›› Distance: 122 km, A8 direction Salzburg, exit Bernau am Chiemsee B305 to Reit im Winkl, Snow-Hotline: 0 86 40/8 00 25, www.reit-im-winkl.de

Tyrol

Ischgl
Party hot spot with 200 km of runs.
›› Distance: ca. 200 km, A95 direction Garmisch-Partenk., over the Fernpass towards Imst/Landeck, exit Pians, side road to Paznaun to Ischgl , Tel. 0 043/50 99 01 00, www.ischgl.com

Kitzbühel
Classy ski resort, 170 km of runs.
›› Distance: 129 km, A8 direction Salzburg, from Dreieck Inntal A93 direction Innsbruck exit Kufstein-Süd, B173 & B178 direction St. Johann in Tirol, B161 to Kitzbühel, Tel. 0 043/53 56 66 66 0, www.kitzbuehel.com

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser
One ski pass valid for 9 ski areas, 250 km of slopes – it’s quiet at Scheffau and loud at Söll.
›› Distance: 114 km, A8 direction Salzburg, from Dreieck Inntal A93 direction Innsbruck, exit Kufstein-Süd, Tel. 0 043/53 33 400, www.skiwelt.at, www.wilderkaiser.info

Sölden im Ötztal
Popular après ski resort, perfect ski area, 150 km of slopes.
›› Distance: ca. 200 km, A8 direciton Salzburg, from Dreieck Inntal A93/A12 direction Innsbruck/Landeck, exit Haiming/Ötztal, B186 to Sölden, Tel. 0 043/52 54 50 80, www.soelden.com

Zillertal
227 km of slopes, four ski areas, snowpark, and scenic view from terrace 3,250 m above sea level.
›› Distance: 149 km, A8 direction Salzburg, from Dreieck Inntal A93/A12 direction Innsbruck/Landeck, exit Zillertal, Tel. 0043/52 87 85 06, www.tux.at, www.gletscherwelt.at