The Wetterstein Mountains and Zugspitz Arena

The Wetterstein Mountains are a mountain group in the northern Limestone Alps that sit bang on the border between southern Germany and western Austria, with the famous landmark peak of Zugspitze on the German flank -Germany’s highest point at a soaring 3,000 metres, also affectionately known as the ‘top of Germany’. Just below this, the Zugspitz Arena offering a flurry of ski adventure on the slopes of three mountains - Schneefernerkopf, Wetterwandeck and the Zugspitze plateau. Underneath, a network of runs and smaller resorts make up the Tirolean Zugspitz Ski Arena, adding to the wealth of ski opportunity amid smaller, charm-laden mountain villages and foodie chalet huts.

Stay in the village of Ehrwald at Haus Aerli, which affords easy access to the mountains, the closest by a mere 500 metres to Wetterstein. From the town of Ehrwald, easily ascend to the Wetterstein ski area, cradled in the foothills of the Zugspitze. With 23 kilometres of well-groomed slopes, there is also a freeride route and snow park. Only two kilometres from Aerli brings you to the bottom of Ehrwalder Alm, a skier and snowboarders paradise which promises great snow entertainment with its snow park and fun slope with waves, tunnel and a snow snail.

A little further (4 kilometres) brings you to the station at the bottom of Grubigstein. At an altitude of 1,000 to 2,100 metres, the Grubigstein ski area is an award-winning resort that also has the Blueline XXL, one of the longest blue downhill runs in Austria for a chillaxed route downhill, and a smooth descent leaving time to admire the alpine scenery all around.

Heading round into Austria, ascend into the Zugspitze plateau, (also accessible from the cable car from Eibsee or from Garmisch, both in Germany). For skiers and snowboarders in the know, the Zugspitze ski area creates a small but high-quality resort including 20 kilometres of runs, and given its altitude, it’s a good bet for plentiful snow and reliable conditions during the alpine season which runs from December to as late as May. Getting up into the mountains is smooth and easy with the Tiroler Zugspitzbahn cable car. You can also access the mountain in characterful style by rail on a 90-year-old cogwheel train that takes you from the Zugspitzbahn station to the plateau and even further to the summit.

At the summit, sparkling snow dusts the scenery to a bright white. Enjoy scenic views and a little history in the Snow Crystal, a six-sided crystalline dome which puts the spotlight on the humble snowflake, where you can learn all about snow crystals. Afterwards, fly down the mountainside on a mix of descents, enjoying queue-free cable-car access to yet more runs. There are also bob sleds and wooden sledges for hire to have some nostalgic family fun. Another interesting stop is the glacier on the Zugspitze plateau – learn about the fascinating history of ice from the Würm Ice Age (11,000 years ago) to today including permafrost, glacial lakes and fossils.

Just five kilometres from Haus Aerli brings you to the station at the bottom of Berwang. The Berwang-Bichlbach ski area is perfect for families with plenty of blue runs over 36km with the added bonus of night skiing and tobogganing every Thursday evening.

Finally, a slightly longer 20 kilometres will give you access to the Garmisch Classic ski region, which undulates along the pistes and runs over three mountains, Alpspitze, Hausbergand Kreuzeck and includes the challenging Kandahar Descent, a racetrack designed for endurance winter sports enthusiasts and four gorgeous, pine-bordered valley runs.

Whatever your activity and wherever your location in the Tirolean Zugspitz Ski Arena, stop for a refuel at a characterful mountain hut – we recommend opting for one with a sun deck and uninterrupted views of the mountains. Restaurant Panorama 2962 sits at a staggering 3,000 metres and offers views that straddle four countries: Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, and its culinary offering reflect this - enjoy a hybrid cuisine while you gaze upon this multi-layered panorama.