We will be in Garmisch-Partenkirchen over the post-Christmas/New Year period. My son expects to ski while we're there. Will we need to make any advance arrangements or can he just bring his skis and boots and jump on a lift? Does anyone know of any particularly good ski places in that area that he should go to? He's a pretty good skiier, not a beginner. Thanks for any direction you can provide. I know from nothing about skiing. Lucky to be able to walk.

No advance arrangements for skiing necessary! Just go there and have fun. The Garmisch area is full of ski places! If your son is a REALLY good skiier he might try the World Cup downhill piste called Kandahar...

For detailed info see
www.ga-pa.de

Click on "English", "Leisure/Sports", "Winter sports", "Alpine Sports" "Skiing" and you will get a piste map!

Julie:

I have not skied in Garmish for many years now, but I believe that there is at least a few SportHaus ski shops in downtown Garmish where you can rent top of the line skiis!

I do howver remember that it was a bit difficult to get to the slopes(at least by train). If you have a car then you can drop him off at the Zugspitz lift which will put him into the highest area for snow coverage!

I love everything about Garmish! Stop at the Frauendorfer in Partenkirchen for a fun dinner night!
JOHN

Thanks for the replies. John, we have reservations for New Year's Eve at Fraundorfer. They gave me a reservation for 7:30 and I asked if I could have the second seating instead so that we could be there at midnight. They said, oh no, there is only one seating. you'll still be eating at midnight. Can't wait.

Your son need not take his skis Julie. Rental will be much easier. My first trip to Germany was 14 years ago with 2 co-workers. We spent a long weekend in
Garmisch after a long work week. It was great! You will love every meal and the town itself is just lovely.

Be sure to take the train/lift to the top of the Zugspitze - it's like heaven up there and impossible to describe.

Two years ago my husband and I went up from the Austrian side and it was just as impressive as I had remembered!

Julie, you don't need a car or the train to reach the skilifts as there are local busse or even ski busses.

If you click around a bit on the website I suggested you will find the bus timetable from Garmisch to the Zugspitze, for example.

Thanks again. This is starting to sound easier and easier.