Zugspitze, Bavaria

Zugspitze resort guide

Bavaria, Germany

Germany's highest peak with year-round glacier skiing

Zugspitze at a glance

20
Trails
4
Lifts
9,718ft
Top
9,718ft
Base
0ft
Vertical
INN
Nearest airport, 20 mi
30% beginner50% intermediate20% advanced

Zugspitze offers year-round glacier skiing on Germany's highest mountain with stunning alpine views.

Your questions about Zugspitze, answered

How big is Zugspitze?

Zugspitze has 20 trails served by 4 lifts — 7th for trails of the 10 resorts we track in Germany. On lifts it ranks 8th of the 10.

How high is Zugspitze?

The lifts run from 9,718ft at the base to 9,718ft at the top, a vertical of 0ft. Of the 10 resorts we track in Germany, that is the highest, with the 7th biggest vertical.

A base above 5,906ft is high by Alpine standards, so the runs back to the village hold their snow better than at lower resorts.

Is Zugspitze good for beginners or experts?

The trails at Zugspitze 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 Zugspitze?

Over the last ten winters Zugspitze has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around November 30 to May 1, about 154 days.

January is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 30in, 29in of new snow and 2.2 bluebird days.

Month-by-month snow history →

What is the nearest airport to Zugspitze?

The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Innsbruck (INN), Austria, 20 mi away in a straight line. Memmingen Allgau (FMM) is 53 mi, Sankt Gallen Altenrhein (ACH), Switzerland is 66 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 Zugspitze?

A 6-day adult Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Top Snow Card) costs €378 for 2026/27, or €63 a day. For value it ranks 9th of the 10 resorts we price in Germany.

Full lift ticket prices and history →

Airports near Zugspitze

Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.

  • InnsbruckINN
    20 mi · major airport
  • Memmingen AllgauFMM
    53 mi · major airport
  • Sankt Gallen AltenrheinACH
    66 mi

Travel time to Zugspitze

Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.

  • Fly to Innsbruck (INN)Quickest
    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 · 71 mi
    Total
    ≈ 12h 50m

    Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added

  • Fly to Sankt Gallen Altenrhein (ACH)
    Flight
    8h 35m · 3,962 mi
    Ground transfer
    2h 15m · 89 mi
    Total
    ≈ 13h 20m

    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.

Zugspitze lift ticket 2026/27

€3786-day adult Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Top Snow Card) · ≈$433

€63 per day · 0.3 km of trails per € · #9 of 10 for value in Germany

2value scorePremium price
Price history since 2000/01, currency converter & value breakdown

Zugspitze 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 Zugspitze. Most resorts release the new season's map between October and December, so this page will fill in as winter approaches. In the meantime, Zugspitze has 20 trails and 4 lifts, running from 9,718ft to 9,718ft.

Why go to Zugspitze

  • 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 Zugspitze by ability level

Beginners

Zugspitze is excellent for beginners! The resort has dedicated beginner areas with gentle slopes, excellent ski schools, and modern lifts.

Intermediates

Perfect for intermediate skiers! Zugspitze offers a great variety of intermediate terrain with well-groomed pistes and modern lifts.

Advanced

Advanced skiers will find some challenging terrain at Zugspitze, but the resort is primarily known for its beginner and intermediate skiing.

Our take on Zugspitze

Food & dining

Après-ski

Price level

Mid-range

Facilities

Official resort website: zugspitze.de

More on Zugspitze

Ski resorts near Zugspitze

Distances are straight-line, not by road.