Garmisch Classic Ski Resort

• Garmisch Classic is once again venue for the FIS Ski World Cup. The women's downhill and super-G will take place on January 25+26. The men's downhill will take place on February 2.

The ski area Garmisch-Classic links together the three mountains Hausberg, Kreuzeck and Alpspitze. At the Hausberg the slopes are predominately marked as blue and red, indicating easy and intermediate terrain perfectly suited for families and inexperienced skiers and snowboarders.

The trails below the summit of the Alpspitze pose a challenge for all skiers and snowboarders – no matter what level of difficulty you're used to. These slopes are not only pure skiing fun but you get to admire the ultimate Alpine panorama that comes with it. Because this area is located above the treeline you have a clear view onto the surrounding winter wonderland.

The Kreuzeck Mountain is the place to be for really ambitious skiers and true experts. An absolute highlight and a must when visiting Garmisch-Classic is the legendary Kandahar descend. Each year the famous Kandahar Race takes place here. With segments like the 'Free Fall' (amounting a falling gradient of up to 92%) the ski racers will feel the adrenaline rush and the audience will as well. Also other ambitious skiers and boarders can give the Kandahar run a try. The slope has two versions, so you can try the Kandahar a different way the second time around. The seven kilometer (4.3 mi) long slope brings you all the way back to the valley station Kreuzeckbahn overcoming a difference in altitude of 1.800 meters (5905.5 ft). If the harder parts are too much for some of you, you can easily switch to another trail at the intermediate station of the Kandahar-Express.

At the BMWxDrive Skimovie section on slope number 11 next to the Hexenkesselbahn chair lift you can get your very own video starring yourself and highlighting your skiing abilities. All you need to do is wait for the signal at the Starthaus (beginning of the section) and then just ski or snowboard to the best of your abilities. You can watch the holiday memory at the valley station of the Kreuzeckbahn. At the Hexenkessellift chair lift there is in addition a separate race track where you can get someone to time your race.

Next to the top station of the Hausbergbahn the little skiers can practice with professional guidance the ABC of skiing. Brand new for the season of 2014/2015 the children's area was freshly renovated and newly designed with the overall theme “pit stop”. Different elements will get even the smallest racers on the right track. From the new bleachers the proud parents can get a nice overview of the progress of their young skiing stars.

Snowboarders and Freestylers will feel right at home in the terrain-park around the Hexenkessel area. The 4.000 square meters (43055.6 square ft) large area offers rails, tubes, boxes and kickers. It is especially suited for beginners to practice new stunts and tricks. The park is attended to and shaped by the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG.

At the Hausberg ski area you can get something to eat at the Drehmöser 9 near the top-station of the Hausbergbahn. The rustic mountain hut provides in contrast to the rather old architecture of the building a young, fresh and modern cuisine with local and traditional influences. You can order dishes like homemade pizza, chutneys or steaks as well as yummy vegetarian creations. A real highlight would be enjoying the wonderful food on one of the sun terraces around the mountain hut.

In the area around the Kreuzeckbahn gondola you should stop at the Kreuzjochhaus or inside the Kreuzalm. The food here is absolutely delicious and sitting outside on the terrace will give you a wonderful view onto the mountains. You have time to relax here and gather your strength for the next big descend.

In and around the Alpspitze area you can stop at the restaurant Alpspitze at the Osterfelderkopf. The restaurant is the highest in the entire skiing area at a height of 2.033 meters (6669.9 ft). Already early in the mornings you can prepare yourself for a great and exhausting day on the slopes with the Alpspitz-Power-Breakfast. For lunch the restaurant lures you back with daily changing specials and exclusive offers for children. In the afternoon in time for coffee and cake the restaurant provides a wide variety of strudels and cakes.

A popular meeting point is the Kandahar 2 Bar at the valley station of the Kreuzeckbahn. Here the Kandahar descend and the Olympia slope meet. On the sun terrace you can relax, eat a small snack or have a refreshing beverage.

In total there are three runs at Garmisch-Classic that take you back down to the valley. The runs back to the valley to the Hausbergbahn and Kreuzeck/Alpspitzbahn gondolas are moreover snow-covered by snowmaking machines. The longest descend in the ski area is the run back to the valley from the Osterfelderkopf. The run is 8.8 kilometers (5.5 mi) long and overcomes a difference in altitude of 1.330 meters (4363.5 ft).

An absolute highlight for sporty and ambitious skiers is of course the legendary Kandahar descend. The run to the valley is more than seven kilometers (+4.3 mi) long and you need to overcome some pretty exhausting and challenging segments to reach the valley station of the Kreuzeckbahn gondola. If the harder parts are too much for some of you, you can easily switch to another trail at the intermediate station of the Kandahar-Express.

If you want to discover the Garmisch-Classic ski area on foot you should definitely consider the cableway-tour. The Alpspitzbahn gondola will take you up on 2.050 meters (6725.7 ft) to the Osterfelderkopf. From there you can get a wonderful view onto the valley looking out from the AlpspiX lookout platform. From there (Hochalm) you can hike for about 30 minutes over the Längenfelder area to the Kreuzeckbahn top-station. At the top-station you can take the gondola back to the valley.

If you chose to go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for winter vacation you cannot miss the view from the AlpspiX lookout platform. The platform just above the top-station of the Alpspitzbahn gondola forms a hovering X with its architecture. At the end of the 25 meter (82 ft) long bars you have a dreamy and unique view onto the Zugspitze, the northern wall of the Alpspitze and into the Höllental (“hell valley”) below.

Sledging is fun for the whole family. Taking the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn (tramway), winter sport enthusiasts can reach the adventurous sledging track easily, which provides rapid descents and unbelievable panoramic views.

In the area of Garmisch-Classic they offer guided snowshoe tours. These tours lasts about six hours. You first need to take the Bavarian Zugspitzbahn to the top before starting to hike with snowshoes along the Alpspitze.

At 3.30 PM the party at the lodge of the Hausberg begins. Skiers reach the lodge easily by simply following the run to the valley. This is the perfect meeting point to celebrate after an exhausting day on the pistes or to simply relax with a nice, refreshing beverage. In addition there are numerous great bars in Garmisch-Partenkirchen that provide a lively nightlife experience. Definitely worth a visit is “Miris Hütt’n“ at Marienplatz.

At the restaurant “Alpenhof” in Garmisch-Partenkirchen they only serve food cooked with natural flavor carriers. Following the motto “regional, seasonal and natural” the cooking team conjures up unique creations resulting in a fun mix of old traditions and new trendy recipes.

By car

Coming from the north you will reach Garmisch-Partenkirchen driving the A95. At the end of the Autobahn (highway) you just need to follow the B2 or the B23 until you reach Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

If your journey starts in the south drive onto the A12. Then change onto the B177 which will lead you to Mittenwald. From there just take the B2 all the way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Public Transportation

Intercity Express trains (ICE) will take you to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. From Munich there is a passenger train (Regionalbahn) every hour which will take you directly to the ski resort.