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7 amazing places to ski in Germany this winter

When it comes to skiing in the German speaking world, most people will firstly think of Austria and Switzerland as top destinations. But Germany has some wonderful skiing spots to offer too.

Published: 13 December 2022 16:16 CET
Updated: 26 December 2022 07:38 CET
7 amazing places to ski in Germany this winter
Winter sports enthusiasts ride the chairlift in the sunshine on the Zugspitze in 2013. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

Oberstaufen, Bavaria

Surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Allgäu mountains, a total of 60 kilometres of slopes and four different ski areas await winter sports fans in Oberstaufen in the Allgäu.

Up high, down low: The ski areas of Steibis and Hündle offer suitable slopes for every skier in Oberstaufen. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/Bergbahnen Imberg&Huendle | Bergbahnen Imberg&Huendle

A total of 28 different lifts and mountain railroads take visitors into a white-sloped paradise on the ski areas of Steibis-Imberg, Hündle-Thalkirchdorf, Sinswang and the Hochgratbahn.

There are runs for all levels of skiing and snowboarding expertise; experienced snowboarders can try out the obstacles in the fun park of the Steibis ski arena, while families and novice skiers can enjoy the Hündle lift, which even offers floodlit night rides.

Steinplatte-Winklmoosalm, Bavaria

If you’ve always wanted to ski in two countries in one day, you can do it on the Steinplatte-Winklmoosalm in Bavaria. On the 42 kilometres of slopes between Salzburg, Tyrol and Bavaria, you can often find the best snow conditions right up until Easter, at an altitude of between 740 and 1,860 metres.

READ ALSO: 9 things to know if you’re visiting Germany in December

For skiing, the Bavarian Winklmoosalm is a paradise for beginners, while the Tyrolean Steinplatte offers easy as well as more challenging slopes. Other highlights are the snowpark, the funline, the cosy ski huts, the cross-country trails and the fantastic panorama from the Steinplatte.

Feldburg, Baden-Württemberg

Set against the lush green of the low mountain range of the Black Forest, the Feldberg ski resort in Baden-Württemberg is a unique destination for a ski trip.

Skiers whizz down the Seebuck in Feldburg. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Patrick Seeger

The Feldberg ski area has 16 downhill runs, 14 lifts and chairlifts and 30 kilometres of slopes on offer.

One of the resort’s highlights is the Hinterwald run: at 9,300 metres long, it is the longest run in the Black Forest. The Notschrei ski area also has a toboggan run as well as cross-country ski trails through the forest.

Zugspitze, Bavaria

Germany’s highest mountain is also home to some wonderful ski resorts. At an altitude of 2,720 metres, glaciers, natural snow and lots of sunshine make this a stunning destination to explore the slopes.

READ ALSO: 8 unmissable events in Germany this December

Skiers and snowboarders can explore a total of 20 kilometres of slopes, while tobogganing fans can also get a chance to whizz down Germany’s highest mountain.

Those planning an overnight stay on the mountain should definitely check out the igloo village – an art hotel made of snow and ice at an altitude of 2,030 metres.

Garmisch-Classic, Bavaria

Right next to the Zugspitze, is the ski resort of Garmisch-Classic – a popular destination among skiers thanks to its long slopes and beautiful surroundings.

A ski slope in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Angelika Warmuth

The resort consists of three ski mountains – Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitze – and offers 40 kilometres of slopes for all levels of skiing expertise.

The Hausberg area is particularly popular with families and beginners, while the Alpspitze slopes are popular with more ambitious skiers.

Oberjoch/ Bad Hindelang, Bavaria

The ski resort Oberjoch/Bad Hindelang is a particularly great choice for a skiing holiday with children, as one of the highlights is the huge Kinderland, where children can learn to ski or snowboard in a playful way. 

READ ALSO: Five ways to make the most of Germany this winter

The resort also boasts 30 kilometres of blue, red and black ski slopes for skiers of all levels as well as night skiing and ultra-modern 8-seater ski lifts which take skiers up to the slopes. 

Winterberg, North Rhine-Westphalia

The Winterberg ski resort in the Sauerland region of North Rhine-Westphalia offers 28 km of slopes across 6 mountains: Kahler Asten, Bremberg, Kappe, Poppenberg, Herrloh and Sürenberg.

Skiers on a slope in Winterberg resort in Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd Thissen

Half of the slopes are blue, which makes learning to ski in Winterberg easy, especially for beginners.

More experienced skiers can try out the slopes on Poppenberg and Kappe, while the slalom slope at Herrlohkop is one of the steepest north of the Alps.

Those wanting to take a break from the slopes can rite the Kappe Express – a miniature train ride through the attractions of Winterberg and the Kappe mountain. 

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COLOGNE

What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne

Cologne is one of the oldest cities in Germany, with a history stretching back just over 2,000 years. It’s a past full of old Roman bones, Gothic architecture and world-famous fine fragrances. But it's possible to explore without breaking the bank.

Published: 5 April 2024 14:40 CEST
What to do, see and eat on a budget-friendly break in Cologne

You could spend months exploring Cologne, but most of us don’t have the time or resources.

Therefore, here’s what to do, see and eat during a weekend in one of Europe’s cultural capitals. 

DO

Cologne is a very walkable city, and it’s easy to get between the main sights, such as the iconic Hohenzollern Bridge and the historic Altstadt or old town. That said, it’s also well-served by an excellent public transport network. 

The most up-to-date schedules and journey planners are available through the KVB or Deutsche Bahn apps. 

READ ALSO: 10 facts you probably didn’t know about Cologne (even if you live there)

To get around, the KölnCard is your best option. Not only will it get you everywhere you want to be within the areas visited by tourists, but it can give you up to a 50 percent discount on selected attractions.

The KölnCard can be purchased at the tourist information centre, or KVB ticket machines at public transport stops. 

SEE

The first thing you’ll likely see upon arriving in Cologne is the Kölner Dom or Cologne Cathedral. (Domkloster 4, 50667). 

While there’s been some sort of church on the site since the 17th century, the current Gothic masterpiece began construction in 1248 and, due to war, plague and economic turmoils, was not completed until 1880. Indeed, a crane sat atop one of the incomplete towers for centuries. 

The cathedral is one of the holiest pilgrimage sights in Christianity, as tradition holds that the relics of the Three Wise Men are housed there in a reliquary.

Cologne cathedral

Cologne’s cathedral is one of the world’s most important Gothic masterpieces – it took over 600 years to build! Photo: Bea61 / Pixabay

READ ALSO: Eight things you probably didn’t know about Cologne Cathedral

You can spend hours drinking in the gorgeous medieval paintings and carvings, flooded with golden light streaming through the windows. 

With a €10 ticket per adult, you can enter the cathedral and the treasury, which holds even more stunning treasures. 

However, Cologne was occupied way further back than the Middle Ages. Cologne, or Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium as it was known, was an important Roman city founded in the first decades of the first century. 

While Roman remains can be found everywhere in Cologne – in the crypts of many churches, for example – many of the best-preserved artefacts and evidence of everyday Roman life are kept in the Römisch-Germanisches Museum, or Romano-German Museum (Cäcilienstraße 46, 50667). 

Everything you might expect from a bustling Roman provincial capital, from tiny, intricate jewellery pieces to monumental arches that led into the city, can be found here. Tickets for adults are €6. 

Another quite peculiar legacy of the Romans can be found in the Basilica of St. Ursula (Ursulaplatz 24, 50668). Locals uncovered a Roman cemetery in the early Middle Ages, which contained hundreds of burials and thousands of bones. 

Somehow, these were conflated with the legend of St Ursula, an English princess whom the Huns martyred along with eleven other virgins (and who eventually grew to 11,000). 

These bones now adorn the basilica’s Goldene Kammer or ‘Golden Chamber’, arranged in fantastic designs such as letters, numbers and geometric patterns. 

It’s something you’re rarely likely to have seen before. Best of all, photography is permitted, and entrance is free. 

The incredible interior of the Goldene Kammer, or ‘Golden Chamber’ in the Basilica of St Ursula. Photo: Mike Stuchbery / The Local

For something completely different, head over to the Farina Duftmuseum, or Farina Fragrance Museum. 

Cologne is world-renowned for its contribution to perfumery. Indeed, the city gave its name to the fragrances worn by men. 

This is mainly due to the work of Johann Maria Farina, who, together with his brother, established a perfumery in the eighteenth century that became spectacularly successful across Europe with their ‘Eau de Cologne’. 

The Farina Fragrance Museum not only tells the story of the family firm but also explains the production process in detail and demonstrates how the scent is manufactured. 

Tickets cost €8 per adult, and yes, there’s a gift shop with bottles of all shapes and sizes to take home. 

EAT AND DRINK

In Cologne—and especially when staying there on a budget—there’s no other place for snacks and quick meals like a Büdchen or Kiosk. 

Like the legendary Berlin Späti, these are places open all hours of the day for anything you may need and serving simple but good food. 

Pico Coffee (Neusserplatz, 50670) is one of the city’s most beloved Büdchen. Don’t let the name fool you—they also serve breakfast, sandwiches, crepes and other snacks, in addition to takeaway essentials and fantastic coffee. 

Carnival start

A woman holding a greeting sign of ‘Alaaf’ to mark the start of Cologne’s Carnival season on November 11th, 2022. picture alliance/dpa | Rolf Vennenbernd

Another cult Cologne Büdchen is Kölnkiosk (Brüsselerstraße 39 – 41, 50674), a very popular neighbourhood venue that serves a constantly changing menu of small bites to larger meals. You’ll recognise it with a riot of bright pink!

Locals also swear by Weinhaus Vogel (Eigelstein 74, 50668) a neighbourhood institution with cheap, filling regional fare that’s been keeping customers happy since 1898. 

Finally, get a taste of real local flavour at Knippschild Werk 2 (An der Kemperwiese, 451069), where you can enjoy a cold Kölsch beer alongside a selection of hearty, good-value German dishes. 

Have any recommendations for things to do, see or eat in Cologne? Let us know in the comments.

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