Garmisch-Partenkirchen Ski Guide (2026/27): Season Dates, Ski Pass Prices, Zugspitze, Kandahar, Hotels & Getting There

The back story

Season 2026/27: Zugspitze expected 27 Nov 2026 – 2 May 2027; Garmisch-Classic mid-Dec 2026 – 29 Mar 2027 (zugspitze.de) · Ski area: Garmisch-Classic 40 km (Alpspitze, Hausberg, Kreuzeck) plus the Zugspitze glacier area at about 2,600 m · Top viewpoint: Zugspitze, 2,962 m, Germany’s highest mountain · Lift pass: Adult day: Garmisch-Classic €72, Zugspitze €78 at the ticket office (cheaper online), from 27 Nov 2026 · Lift company: Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG · Getting there: Hourly regional trains from Munich; weekend ICE trains (gapa-tourismus.de)

The back story

Garmisch-Partenkirchen: the back story

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·In depth

Two Bavarian market towns beneath Germany’s highest mountain, the first cable car in Bavaria, the 1936 Winter Olympics and the Kandahar, one of the toughest downhills in the World Cup.

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Lift passes, ski schools and hire

Official prices, winter 2026/27

Zugspitze and Garmisch-Classic ski passes

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Lift pass·€€

Day passes from the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn: Garmisch-Classic €72 and Zugspitze €78 for adults at the ticket office, a little less online; prices valid from 27 November 2026.

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Late Nov 2026 – early May 2027

Zugspitze glacier ski area

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Glacier skiing·€€

Germany’s highest skiing, on the Zugspitze plateau at 2,600 metres, between the Schneefernerkopf, Wetterwandeck and the Zugspitze, known for natural snow.

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Black run no. 5, World Cup course

Kandahar downhill

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Signature run·€€

One of the most demanding downhills in the World Cup, with the “Freier Fall” at 92%; black run no. 5 is open to confident skiers.

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Magic carpet and three beginner lifts

Ixis children’s area, Hausberg

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Beginner area·€

The family area on the Hausberg, with a magic carpet, three beginner lifts, a small slalom course and wave tracks, kickers and tunnels.

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Lessons at Garmisch-Classic and the Zugspitze

Skischule Zugspitze

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Ski and snowboard school·€€

A ski and snowboard school in Grainau, recognised by the German Ski Instructors’ Association for excellent teaching of children, with its own ski hire.

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At the top of the Alpspitzbahn

AlpspiX

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Viewing platform·€€

Two X-shaped glass walkways at the Alpspitzbahn top station, jutting out over the void, open in winter too.

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Marked tours and touring evenings

Ski touring in Garmisch-Classic

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Ski touring·€

Varied ski tours for beginners to experts in the Garmisch-Classic area, with a trail map, touring tickets and popular touring evenings.

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Where to stay, every budget

Who it suits. On a budget: Hourly trains from Munich, online day passes, self-service lunches at Sonnalpin and the Garmischer Haus, and a family inn in Partenkirchen. Mid-range: The Werdenfelserei or the Garmischer Hof, lunch on the Sonnenalm terrace and an evening of music at the Fraundorfer. Luxury: Schloss Elmau and its six spas, dinner at the two-star IKIGAI, and a night in an igloo on the Zugspitze.

Two hotels, six spas, near Krün · In depth

Schloss Elmau

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Five-star spa retreat·€€€€

Two hotels in the Elmau valley near Garmisch, with six spas (among them the adults-only Badehaus with three infinity pools, an Oriental hamam and two family spas), ten restaurants and a concert hall.

Elmau 2, 82493 KrünExplore View on map
Bavaria’s first solid-wood hotel · In depth

Werdenfelserei

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Boutique hotel·€€€

A wooden design hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen with a 1,000 m² spa on two levels (a rooftop pool and Swiss pine saunas), suites with private saunas and the Wurzelwerk restaurant.

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Fourth generation, town centre · In depth

Garmischer Hof

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Organic hotel·€€€

A certified organic hotel in the centre of Garmisch, run by the family for four generations, with the 400 m² Alpisana Spa under the roof, a brewpub and an organic breakfast.

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Pool, whirlpool and the Joseph Naus Stub’n · In depth

Hotel Zugspitze

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Hotel·€€€

A hotel in the heart of Garmisch with a 1,000 m² sauna and bathing area (a 9 × 5 m pool, whirlpool, Finnish sauna, sanarium) and three Stub’n restaurants, including the Joseph Naus Stub’n.

Klammstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-PartenkirchenExplore View on map
95 years in Partenkirchen’s old town

Hotel & Gasthof Fraundorfer

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Family inn·€€

A family-run Bavarian inn in Partenkirchen’s historic old town, with 31 rooms and live music and Schuhplattler dancing from Thursday to Monday.

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A night at almost 2,600 m · In depth

Iglu-Dorf Zugspitze

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Igloo village·€€€

An igloo village on the Zugspitze plateau at almost 2,600 m, with a fondue dinner, a guided night hike, a whirlpool and sauna in the snow, and breakfast at Restaurant Sonnalpin.

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Restaurants and mountain huts

Two MICHELIN stars (2026)

IKIGAI, Schloss Elmau

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Modern cuisine·€€€€

The two-star restaurant of Schloss Elmau, the culinary match for one of the most luxurious hideaways in the Alps.

Elmau 2, 82493 KrünExplore View on map
One MICHELIN star (2026)

Das Marktrestaurant, Mittenwald

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Country cooking·€€€

Andreas Hillejan’s relaxed, down-to-earth restaurant in Mittenwald, a short drive from Garmisch.

Dekan-Karl-Platz 21, 82481 MittenwaldExplore View on map
In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

Husar

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Classic cuisine·€€€

Charming dining rooms behind the painted façade of an inn that has stood for over 400 years.

Fürstenstraße 25, 82467 Garmisch-PartenkirchenExplore View on map
In the MICHELIN Guide (2026)

Joseph Naus Stub’n

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Country cooking·€€€

Named after the first man on the Zugspitze, at Hotel Zugspitze: friendly service and good regional cooking.

Klammstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-PartenkirchenExplore View on map
Almost 3,000 m on the Zugspitze

Panorama 2962

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Summit restaurant·€€€

The summit restaurant on Germany’s highest mountain: “the best from 4 countries”, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

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Vegetarian and vegan, glass pavilion

Gletscher 2600

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Glacier restaurant·€€

A glass pavilion by the Zugspitze glacier with a bar and deckchairs on the sundeck, serving only vegetarian and vegan dishes.

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By the Zugspitze glacier

Sonnalpin

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Self-service restaurant·€

A cosy self-service restaurant by the glacier with varied daily Bavarian dishes and vegetarian options.

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A sundeck in the Werdenfelser Land

Sonnenalm

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Mountain restaurant·€€

Rustic charm meets modern flair: creative Bavarian cooking from local producers, with what it calls the most beautiful sundeck in the Werdenfelser Land.

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By the Hausbergbahn top station

Garmischer Haus

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Self-service restaurant·€

A self-service stop a few metres from the Hausbergbahn top station, with regional Bavarian dishes for all ages.

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In the Alpspitzbahn top station

Osterfelder 2000

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Mountain restaurant·€€

Homemade Alpine dishes with and without meat, Vinschgerl and spinach spätzle, in the Alpspitzbahn mountain station.

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Après-ski and bars

At the Hausbergbahn top station

Drehmöser 9

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Mountain hut and bar·€€

A rustic hut at the top of the Hausbergbahn for a break in winter: drinks, Italian coffee, homemade pizza and Bavarian food.

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Overlooking the Kandahar

Kandahar 2

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Mountain restaurant and meeting place·€€

A popular meeting place for walkers and skiers among alpine meadows, with a view of the legendary Kandahar downhill.

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On the plateau at almost 2,600 m

Iglu-Dorf Zugspitze bar

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Ice bar·€€

A bar and restaurant inside the snow-and-ice village on the Zugspitze plateau, open to day guests.

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In the town centre

Garmischer Hof brewery and beer garden

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Brewery and beer garden·€€

The Garmischer Hof’s own brewery, restaurant and beer garden in the centre of town, for a beer after the slopes.

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Thursday to Monday from 7 pm

Fraundorfer evenings

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Live music and Schuhplattler·€€

Live music and Schuhplattler dancing in a family inn in Partenkirchen’s old town, Thursday to Monday from 7 pm, entry included.

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Shops

GaPa’s local brand

INSER HOAMAT

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Local products and crafts

The local brand of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, for traditions, crafts and regional products.

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Old inns and traditional crafts

Partenkirchen old town

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Historic old town

The historic old town of Partenkirchen, with its old inns, traditional crafts and local shops.

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Maps, guides and gifts

GaPa Tourist Information shop

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Souvenirs and guides

The tourist office’s GaPa Shop, behind the Tourist Information, with maps, GaPa clothing and souvenirs; also online.

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Spas and wellness

Six spas, adults-only and family

Schloss Elmau spas

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Hotel spas

Six adults-only and family spas at Schloss Elmau, including the Badehaus, an Oriental hammam and the Shantigiri spa.

Elmau 2, 82493 KrünExplore View on map
Day, evening and night spa

Werdenfelserei spa

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Hotel spa

The solid-wood hotel’s spa, open to visitors as a day, evening or night spa, with massages, treatments, yoga and fitness.

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In the town centre

Garmischer Hof day spa

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Day spa

The Garmischer Hof’s day spa in the centre of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, open to visitors.

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Pool, whirlpool, hay sauna

Hotel Zugspitze spa

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Hotel spa

A swimming pool and whirlpool, a hay sauna and steam bath, gym and spa treatments at Hotel Zugspitze.

Klammstraße 19, 82467 Garmisch-PartenkirchenExplore View on map

Getting there

Hourly trains from Munich

Getting to Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Getting there

Regional trains run hourly from Munich, with direct ICE trains at weekends from Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Nuremberg; by car, the A95 from Munich.

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From Garmisch-Partenkirchen station

Zugspitze cogwheel train

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Mountain railway

The cogwheel train leaves from its own station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and climbs via Grainau and the Eibsee to the glacier station on the Zugspitze plateau.

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From the Eibsee to the summit

Cable car Zugspitze

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Cable car

The record-holding cable car from the Eibsee valley station straight to the Zugspitze summit, opened in 2018.

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Munich and Innsbruck

Flixbus line 040

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Long-distance bus

Long-distance buses eight times a day to and from Munich and Innsbruck, five of them without a change.

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Property: the neighbourhoods

Station and shopping streets

Garmisch

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Neighbourhood

The Garmisch side of the town, with the railway station, the Zugspitzbahn station and the shopping streets.

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The historic old town

Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Neighbourhood

The Partenkirchen side of the town, with its historic old town and family inns.

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At the foot of the Zugspitze

Grainau

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Neighbourhood

The village below the Zugspitze, on the cogwheel railway between Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Eibsee.

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Home of Schloss Elmau

Krün and Elmau

Garmisch-Partenkirchen·Neighbourhood

The village whose valley of Elmau holds Schloss Elmau, surrounded by mountains, forests and meadows.

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