How big is Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
Garmisch-Partenkirchen has 60 trails served by 40 lifts — 2nd for trails of the 10 resorts we track in Germany.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen resort guide
Bavaria, Germany
Olympic host with Zugspitze glacier skiing
Garmisch-Partenkirchen at a glance
60
Trails
40
Lifts
9,718ft
Top
2,323ft
Base
7,395ft
Vertical
INN
Nearest airport, 20 mi
30% beginner50% intermediate20% advanced
Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers access to Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, with glacier skiing and excellent facilities.
Your questions about Garmisch-Partenkirchen, answered
How high is Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
The lifts run from 2,323ft at the base to 9,718ft at the top, a vertical of 7,395ft. Of the 10 resorts we track in Germany, that is the highest, with the biggest vertical.
The base is below 3,281ft, so the lowest runs are the first to suffer in a mild spell; the upper mountain is the safer bet early and late in the season.
Is Garmisch-Partenkirchen good for beginners or experts?
The trails at Garmisch-Partenkirchen split 30% beginner, 50% intermediate and 20% advanced, against an average of 39% beginner and 15% advanced across the resorts we track in Germany.
On those numbers it suits beginners and intermediates.
When is the ski season at Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
Over the last ten winters Garmisch-Partenkirchen has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around December 5 to April 21, about 139 days.
January is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 28in, 30in of new snow and 2.6 bluebird days.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Innsbruck (INN), Austria, 20 mi away in a straight line. Memmingen Allgau (FMM) is 52 mi, Munich (MUC) is 67 mi. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift ticket at Garmisch-Partenkirchen?
A 6-day adult Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Top Snow Card) costs €378 for 2026/27, or €63 a day. For value it ranks 2nd of the 10 resorts we price in Germany.
Full lift ticket prices and history →Airports near Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- InnsbruckINN20 mi · major airport
- Memmingen AllgauFMM52 mi · major airport
- MunichMUC67 mi · major airport
Travel time to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Munich (MUC)Quickest
- Flight
- 8h 40m · 4,027 mi
- Ground transfer
- 2h 15m · 91 mi
- Total
- ≈ 10h 55m
- Fly to Innsbruck (INN)
- Flight
- 8h 40m · 4,044 mi
- Ground transfer
- 40m · 27 mi
- Total
- ≈ 11h 50m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Memmingen Allgau (FMM)
- Flight
- 8h 35m · 3,975 mi
- Ground transfer
- 1h 45m · 70 mi
- Total
- ≈ 12h 50m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, ground transfers at an average 40 mph. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen lift ticket 2026/27
€3786-day adult Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Top Snow Card) · ≈$433
€63 per day · 1.0 km of trails per € · #2 of 10 for value in Germany
59value scoreGood value
Garmisch-Partenkirchen trail map
We publish a trail map only once we have checked it against the resort's own file, and we do not yet have a verified map for Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Most resorts release the new season's map between October and December, so this page will fill in as winter approaches. In the meantime, Garmisch-Partenkirchen has 60 trails and 40 lifts, running from 2,323ft to 9,718ft.
Why go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Stunning Alpine scenery
- Excellent for all skill levels
- Great for families
- Beautiful mountain views
- Modern lift infrastructure
- Good value for money
Things to know
- Can get crowded during peak season
- Limited nightlife
- Weather dependent
- Limited tree skiing
- Can be windy
- Limited challenging terrain
Skiing and snowboarding Garmisch-Partenkirchen by ability level
Beginners
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is excellent for beginners! The resort has dedicated beginner areas with gentle slopes, excellent ski schools, and modern lifts.
Intermediates
Perfect for intermediate skiers! Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a great variety of intermediate terrain with well-groomed pistes and modern lifts.
Advanced
Advanced skiers will find some challenging terrain at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but the resort is primarily known for its beginner and intermediate skiing.
Our take on Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Mid-range
Facilities
Official resort website: gapa.de
More on Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen lift ticket pricesDay and multi-day ticket prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Ski resorts in GermanyLive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in Germany
Ski resorts near Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- Wank1 mi
- Zugspitze8 mi
- Seefeld, Austria12 mi
- Innsbruck, Austria21 mi
- Brauneck25 mi
- Neustift, Austria29 mi
Distances are straight-line, not by road.