We are headed to Garmisch in a month (March 14-15) to ski either the Alpspitze or Zugspitze or both. I know that skiing the Alps is much different than our American style "Resorts". I have tried reaching out to our hotel and a ski rental company with any information on the best place to buy ski tickets/lessons/rental equipment, but haven't received responses from either place. I've researched the main sites and can't quite figure it out. Are there any places in Garmisch that may be a one-stop-shop where we can buy the tickets, rent the gear and purchase ski lessons? If we buy the combo ticket (Alpspitze and Zugspitze), how do we physically get to Zugspitze? Are there trams that take you from Garmisch to the tops of both mountains? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8158 posts
I've skied close by in the Innsbruck area, and you're right that skiing there is different than in the U.S. Generally speaking, the slopes are steeper and generally icier.
I really wouldn't suggest starting off your skiing career there as they are more intermediate to advanced type slopes.
As far as answering Garmisch skiing questions, I've been through there but not in winter.
Once we were touring the Cortina, Italy area. One mountain there has more ski runs than Colorado has in the whole state. I like how you can take a lift to the top and ski down the mountain. Then take another lift up and ski to another town. Experienced skiers can do that all day.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I've skied in Garmisch. I don't know if there's a combo rental/lift ticket, because unlike in the US, the resorts usually don't operate their own rental facilities. You rent the equipment from individual businesses in town. But I'm pretty sure there's one right by the Hausbergbahn (the lift closest to the center of Garmisch-Partenkirchen that gives you access to the Alpspitze pistes). I wouldn't know about lessons.
The Zugspitze pistes are located high on the mountain, and you can only reach them from the cogwheel train (the Bayerische Zugspitzebahn) or the Eibsee-Seilbahn (cable car that leaves from the Zugspitzbahn station by Eibsee). You can walk to the Hausbergbahn from downtown GaP, but Eibsee is too far to reach on foot. Take either the Zugspitzebahn central GaP (the terminal station is right by the main rail station) or take a bus to Eibsee.
I didn't find most of the pistes at GaP particularly difficult. There seem to be a large number of relatively easy slopes. If you've never skied before, however, the weather may be a little warm in March for beginner skiing at the Alpspitze area, which is at a much lower altitude. Wet snow is generally more difficult to negotiate. The Zugspitze area should still be plenty cold, although it isn't as extensive. And if the clouds move in, visibility can quickly become very poor.
Posted by
Green Bay
20158 posts
About 30 seconds on google gets this at Alpspitze: http://skischule-gap.de/en/
That gets equipment rental and ski school covered. Generally, there is a lift ticket window at the first lift you come to at the bottom of the hill. There is also the Garmisch-Partenkirchen Hausberg train station right there.