Ski Germany
 

Where do folks think is the best place to ski in Germany? I'm an average Downhill/Nordic skiier who would like some place that is pretty different from New England! I speak German and would also like to see some small Bavarian towns. Danke!

As far as larger ski towns, there are Garmisch and Oberstdorf. Both are pretty, and have decent Alpine skiing. Definitely different from New England!

As a New England skier who became a hopeless Alp-aholic about ten years ago, I think there are better places for your first (at least I assume from your post that it will be your first) ski experience in Europe. I haven't skied in Germany, but I've been in Bavaria several times and have carefully researched the skiing in Garmisch in planning my other trips. Garmisch is a big place and the skiing is somewhat limited by European standards.

There will be better skiing, and equally good opportunities to use your German, in Austria and Switzerland. The Berner Oberland (Grindelwald, Wengen, Murren) is a wonderful place for a first-timer - a wide variety of slopes and fantastic scenery. Grindelwald is probably the most convenient base and Murren the most romantic. In Austria, I'm particularly fond of Ischgl, where a working knowledge of German is almost a must, and early next year I'll be visiting Lech for the first time. It's possible (and in fact that's what we're doing) to fly into Munich and then drive down to the Austrian resorts, spending as much or as little time in small Bavarian villages as you choose. Almost any of the major resorts in Switzerland or Austria will provide more extensive and varied skiing than Garmisch, and many of them will allow you to experience the small-town ambience that I don't think you'll find in Garmisch. The Ski Club of Great Britain web site has very good descriptions of the plusses and minuses of the major resorts (www.skiclub.co.uk).

I think bmw732002 on that other thread you posted on is spot on. If I were you I would head to Austria for skiing purposes. And for that, Seefeld offers great Nordic ski facilities, I believe (I only do downhill, but have been living in Innsbruck for a while, so am sort of familiar with Seefeld's geography).
Austrian ski- resorts are just a bit more snow secure IMO. Otherwise, if you want to insist on Germany, I would consider the Berchtesgaden/ Bad Reichenhall region. A couple of good skitours (trekking up the mountains and then going downhill, both on your own, if you're into that. Salzburg, which is neat, is close by for a night out on town.
FlyFish's advice is good, too, although I have a craving for St. Anton. Although I do admit that St. Anton probably draws a younger crowd. If you want more quiet, try Lech. I believe they feature a couple of decent tracks for Nordic skiing, too, although not sure.
The Arlberg region, where Lech and St.Anton are located is not on that high an elevation, but <b> very </b> snow secure.

Hey hsv:

My wife's cousins live in &quot;Hall im Tirol&quot;. Funny I have never skied in Innsbruck area....unless you consider Seefeld part of the area! I also have a fondness for Lech! That whole Arlberg region is wonderful!
JOHN

John,

I seem to recall that we have the same affinities to certain ski areas from a thread resembling this last year.
I probably used the wrong tense when saying that I &quot;have been living in Innsbruck for a while&quot;. It should've read: I used to live in Innsbruck for a while, as I have returned to Germany, living in Northern Germany now.
Have a merry Christmas and happy skiing this winter - &quot;Schifoahn!&quot;, as the Austrians would put it!
hsv

Having grown up and skied in southern Germany, I probably would pick Oberstdorf in the Allgaeu region or Reit im Winkel closder to the Salzburg region.

Oberstdorf has its own ski runs, including the Nebelhorn. From Oberstdorf you can also ski the Kleine Walsertal, an Austrian enclave only accessible from Oberstdorf. It has many ski runs. Oberstdorf, however, is fairly upscale, sort of like Aspen or Vail (in fact, the original Sonnenalpe is in Fischen, outside of Oberstdorf. The one in Vail is owned by a relative of the Allgaeu owner.)

For a smaller place, with great scenery I suggest Reit im Winkel. There are several good runs near the village; it has good loipen (crosscountry courses) and bus excursions to the Winkelmoos Alm ski area, as well as Kitzbuehel (1 hr.) Reit is your archetypical Bavarian mountain resort and village.

If you don't drive there, you take the train from Munich to Prien, and catch a bus to Reit i.W.

Oberstdorf is on a spur from the Munich - Switzerland train route. Some Munich coaches go through to Oberstdorf, on other trains you have to change in Immenstadt.

For train and bus schedules check www.bahn.de