Clearly: The variety of slopes in the Zillertal is unbeatable, just like the view of the Matterhorn in Zermatt. Every year, thousands of winter sports enthusiasts are drawn to the famous ski areas of the Austrian and Swiss Alps. You can feel this at the latest when you queue at the ski lift: jostle, wait, après-ski music.
Time to take a look outside the large and well-known ski areas - for example in the Bavarian part of the Alps. Admittedly, the ski mountains in Upper Bavaria are manageable and cannot necessarily compete with the perfect carving arenas across the border. But the ski passes are comparatively inexpensive and the slopes are quieter. We present seven alternative winter destinations:
Ammergau Alps: Challenging slopes and good cross-country trails
The 5000-soul parish of Oberammergau is mainly known for the Passion Play: every ten years the villagers recreate the last five days in the life of Jesus Christ. The next edition is due in 2020.
In the winter half year, however, the region is still an insider tip. In the small ski areas on the local mountains all around, skiers can expect numerous runs, while cross-country fans will get their money's worth in the valley.
Maro u. Partner / SRT
Cross-country skiing in a snow-covered landscape
The slopes on the comfortably constructed piston saddle are particularly gentle, and the slopes on the Steckenberg are a bit more demanding. Advanced skiers and freeriders stick to the almost three kilometers long unprepared descent from the lab. The ski pass on the Kolbensattel costs 30 euros for adults (19 euros for children) and 20 euros for Steckenberg (14 euros for children).
Info: Ammergau Alps Society
Mittenwald: gourmet slopes and natural descent
The violin maker village Mittenwald is located almost 100 kilometers south of Munich on the border with Tyrol. In the west of the village, the gourmet slopes of the Kranzberg lure, on the steep east side the almost seven-kilometer downhill run through the Dammkar challenges good drivers. The Kranzberg six-day ski pass costs 163.50 euros for adults and 105 euros for children.
Info: Mittenwald Tourist Information
Lenggries: 20 ski huts and a new lift
The romantic Isarwinkel around Lenggries between the spa town of Bad Tölz and the Karwendel Mountains has spawned some skiing celebrities. For years, a large part of the German national ski team came from there, the former stars Hilde Gerg and Martina Ertl can still be found on the slopes today.
On the local mountain Brauneck with its wide alpine meadows and the steep Garland descent, 34 kilometers of pistes are great for pleasure skiers and mogul fans. Since this season, the new six-seater chairlift at Schrödelstein has replaced the old double chair. Around 20 ski huts provide a cozy stop.
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Ski vacation in Upper Bavaria: Dahoam is the most beautifulThe Lahnerstubn at the mountain campground at the entrance to the cross-country ski run are new and a culinary treat. The "Alpen plus" ski pass is valid not only in Lenggries but also on Spitzingsee, Wallberg and Sudelfeld and costs 170 euros for adults for five freely selectable days in the season (if you book after December 24th, 188 euros), for children up to 15 years 80 euro.
Info: Lenggries Tourist Information
Bayrischzell: robust on the left, gentle on the right
At the back of the snowy Schliersee valley lies the traditional winter sports resort of Bayrischzell. Friends of the gentle slopes will find their dream area one floor higher: on the Sudelfeld on a high plateau with 32 kilometers of slopes, whose lifts have been completely renewed in recent years. Originally it is on the second Bavarian local mountain, the Wendelstein, on which a more than 100-year-old cogwheel train travels from Brannenburg.
Xandi Kreuzeder / ski paradise Sudelfeld / SRT
Child in the Sudelfeld ski area
And on the outskirts of Bayrischzell there is another fun factor: At Tannerfeld, you "snowtubed" on a giant rubber tire by jogging down a 300 meter long snow gutter. The day pass for the Wendelstein costs 38 euros for adults.
Info: Tourist Info Bayrischzell
Oberaudorf: Snow magic land for children
The pretty climatic health resort of Oberaudorf in the Inn Valley is almost no longer a winter sports resort. When the TÜV no longer accepted the old single chair lift a few years ago, it was almost over. But then the locals tackled it together, built a four-seater chairlift, floodlit slope and winter toboggan run, plus a children's snow wonderland and a whole arsenal of snow cannons on the edge of the eight kilometers of slopes.
Today Oberaudorf has an all-round gentle ski area with the most modern facilities far and wide. Floodlit skiing is great fun especially for snowboarders and carvers - and then you can go après-ski to the Hirschalm at the valley station. The ski pass costs € 24.90 per day for adults, the family ticket for parents and all children up to 17 years € 67.90.
Info: Tourist information Oberaudorf
Ruhpolding: Cozy Unternberg
The Chiemgau Mountains are a piece of Upper Bavaria like a picture book. Inzell is primarily known for its world-famous speed skating rink, but it also has something to offer cross-country skiers. Ruhpolding appeals to the alpine: the cozy Unternberg with eight kilometers of slopes and the sunny Raffneralm make skiers' hearts beat faster. In the evening, the fun is extended thanks to the floodlight system.
If that's not enough, take the free ski bus to the modern Seegatterl gondola and to the Winklmoosalm. The Unternberg ski pass costs € 24 per day for adults and € 18 for children up to the age of 15.
Info: Tourist Info Ruhpolding
Berchtesgaden: Faster to the Jenner
In the eyes of many, the eastern cornerstone of the Upper Bavarian ski region offers the most beautiful panorama. Berchtesgaden is picturesquely in front of the alpine backdrop of Watzmann, Hohem Göll and Hochkalter.
HW Rodrian / SRT
Mitterkaseralm ski hut in the Jenner ski area in Berchtesgaden
Skiing is the main thing on the Jenner with ten kilometers of slopes. Last summer it received a new summit lift and thus a complete all-round renewal within two years. The day ski pass for Jenner costs 39 euros for adults and 16 euros for children.
Info: Berchtesgadener Land Tourismus
