Best Ski and Snowboard Slopes Near Munich

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Are you curious about the best day trip to ski and snowboard in the German and Austrian Alps? Munich is an excellent home base with access to some of the best slopes in Europe, so you can easily have a snowy adventure without needing to go very far out of the way or spend lots of extra money for accommodation on the slopes.

The European Alps are one of my favorite places on the planet. How can you not fall in love with their jagged snow-capped peaks and pristine beauty? I grew up snowboarding in Alaska, but I always had one eye on the Alps. “One day I will snowboard those gorgeous mountains,” I told myself, as I flipped through ski and snowboard magazines.

Little did I know that I would eventually be living at the foothills of the Alps, with the opportunity for weekly day trips out to snowboard. I could load up my gear, hop on a train or a bus, and for under 75 Euros, I was shredding the pistes of some of the best terrain in Europe. You can as well, with these easy, well-priced options departing from Munich to ski or snowboard the German or Austrian Alps!

Getting to the Alps from Munich for a day of riding is much easier than one might think. This guide will cover several options for skiing or snowboarding near Munich in the Austrian or German Alps, including an all-inclusive bus tour and a self-guided option that involves taking the train.

Ski Bus München

Skibus München is an all-inclusive package option. For an affordable price, the Ski Bus will take you from central Munich to one of Germany or Austria’s best mountains. Included in the price is a ride, a lift ticket, and a beer on the way home. We spent many Saturdays taking advantage of this great deal!

This option is the best for anyone seeking an all-inclusive, stress-free package to ride in Austria. There is even a host or guide that stays with your bus for the entire day, and they do speak English.

There are several packages, ranging in price and varying in mountain terrains. Hochzillertal or St. Johan is my favorite, as they are reasonably priced and the transit time is manageable. For more information on selecting an option that best suits you, please visit this link.

Ski Bus München is one of my favorite activities to do as a local in Munich. It’s so well organized and stress-free that even guests traveling through Munich for only a few days can participate. Purchase your tickets online a few days in advance, as the buses can fill up and sell out on busy weekends.

The ski bus typically picks up and drops off at the central Munich bus station, called the ZOB. You will want to be at the station between 6 am and 6:20 am, depending on which package you booked.

The easiest way to get there is to find a U-Bahn that connects to an S-Bahn, or hop on an S-Bahn heading to Hackerbrücke station. Cross the bridge at Hackerbrücke, enter the bottom of the station, and look for a bus headed to your destination. Ask the drivers if you need help.

Plan your transit the night before to avoid being late. You should arrive at least 20 minutes early to find the right bus and secure a seat next to your friends. You will need to show your ticket to the host or driver before boarding the bus.

The bus is a luxury motor coach with a compartment for storing your snowboards and skis in the under-luggage section. The seats are comfortable, and there is space overhead for a small bag or backpack.

As soon as the bus departs, the bus “host” will give you your lift ticket in exchange for 2 euros (you get your money back when you return the reusable tickets!) and a light breakfast of a pretzel.

The host will explain the trip and the time to return to the bus. If you have any questions, they usually speak enough English to help you. Always remember your bus driver and where you’re dropped off.

Once you arrive in Austria, the fun starts! Rent gear or head straight up the mountain for a fun-filled day of skiing and snowboarding in the gorgeous Austrian Alps. At the end of the day, turn your ski ticket in to the driver for a refreshing beer! You’ll be back in Munich in time for a late dinner around 6-7 pm.

Tip: Germans LOVE printed tickets. If you can print your ticket, please do so. If you don’t have access to a printer, please bring your digital copy; however, you will need to fill out a form on the bus. It’s super annoying, but that’s just the way it is.

Independent Day Trips to Ski From Munich

These options is ideal for more independent travelers or locals who prefer to ski closer to Munich in the German Alps. You’re entirely on your own to navigate the train system and manage your ski luggage. There is no group host or guide with you.

Ski & Snowboard in Garmisch, Germany

There is world-class skiing not far from Munich. One of my favorite easy day trips is out to Garmisch, famous for hosting the Olympics and world ski competitions in the German Alps.

Your final destination is Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station, where you can easily connect to a sizeable resort for a fantastic day of riding.

Our journey begins at Munich Central Train Station, also known as Hbf (Hauptbahnhof). I suggest getting in the DB (Deutsche Bahn) ticketing line to buy your Garmisch Classic train AND ski pass combo. You can also purchase them from the machines, but it can be a bit confusing for non-locals.

For 48 Euros, you get RT train fare AND a ski pass to the Garmisch Classic resort. If you don’t get the combo ticket, you will end up paying almost twice as much. I recommend taking the 7:13 or 7:32 am train that departs on time from platform 29. Please arrive 20 minutes before the departure time to collect your tickets and secure a seat.

The train dead-ends at Garmisch-Partenkirchen Hbf. From there, you will need to take your train tickets and follow the signs for the Zugspitzebahn. Exchange your ticket for your ski pass, which will allow you to board the next train and wait at the platform for it. This train is charming, as it is a classic train from the 80s or 90s!

Ride this to Hausberg stop. From there, you can rent gear or head straight up the mountain. This train stops running around 7 pm, so make sure to wrap up your day of skiing by about 6:30 to head back to Munich. Worst case, you can walk to the central Garmisch-Partenkirchen train station to get back to Munich.

Almost everyone here speaks English, as it’s a popular destination for U.S. military personnel, with a nearby base.

Ski & Snowboard in Spitzingsee, Germany

This is a super tiny and intimate ski resort with just a couple of lifts. It is a great escape from the huge resorts. If you visit during the week, you can be sure to have this place to yourself. To start your day, navigate from Munich Hbf to this location.

I am not aware of a ski pass train combo like the one for Garmisch, so I suggest you buy a Bayern ticket, which will be the best deal and enable you to ride local buses and transportation in Spitzingsee if needed.

Spitzingsee even offers specials like Frauentag, which features discounts for women on Wednesday, and night skiing on Thursday and Friday, allowing you to visit after work.

Ski & Snowboard in Sudelfeld – Bayrischzell, Germany

This is a slightly larger resort than Spitzingsee, featuring some decent lifts and runs, and is less crowded than Garmisch. So, it’s like your Goldilocks resort in Germany. You can start your day in Bayrischzell or Sudelfeld. For more information, check out their website.

The ski school with rentals is located in Sudelfeld, and there are a few places in the town of Bayrischzell that also rent equipment. However, if you have your own gear, you can load it up in the train, grab a Bayern ticket from Munich Hbf, and enjoy your day skiing or snowboarding near Munich.

This place is reasonably priced and offers passes for 3 or 4 hours, as well as half-day options for the morning or afternoon, Happy Hour passes, and full-day tickets. There’s also a special MVV Ski Pass, which includes transportation and ski passes for the day.

Après Ski

One of the best aspects of skiing and snowboarding in the German and Austrian Alps is the Après-Ski. Après-ski is an after-party that takes place at alpine huts and bars located at the base or mid-mountain stations of resorts. 

To enjoy Après Ski, you’ll want to stop riding early, so you can make sure you catch all the right trains back to Munich. We usually ended our day around 3:30 or 4 pm, then headed to the bar. You can dance to Schlager music or relax with a post-ride beer or a spritz and take in the alpine ambiance. 

You can also easily book an overnight stay at any of the towns I recommend. Garmisch is an excellent choice, as are the smaller German towns. But, of course, they are all great for day trips from Munich, and you can book one of my favorite hotels in the city. 

I’ve stayed in all these hotels and highly recommend any of them. Though for getting to and from the Ski Bus and Hauptbahnhof, I suggest the Royal Bavarian or Living Hotel for a central, well-connected location. 

• Royal Bavarian for a lavish only-in-Munich experience
• Flushing Meadows for the independent hipster traveler
• Schwan Lock is for those who want to visit Munich like a local or need a remote workspace
• Living Hotel Viktualienmarkt is a hotel for the sustainable traveler who wants a central hotel

Looking for More Winter Adventures in Munich?

Munich is one of my favorite European winter destinations. Whether you are in town for the Christmas markets or a conference, check out my other cold-weather guides. 

• Local’s Guide to Munich’s Christmas Markets
• Winter Things to Do in Munich
• Day trip to Zugspitze in Winter
• Head to the Alps for Sledding

Comment and Share

Are you excited to shred the slopes on a day trip from Munich now? Hopefully, this guide has shown you how easy it is to visit the German or Austrian Alps from the city, even if you only have a short time.

You can either join an all-inclusive bus tour or DIY your own trip, but either way, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.

Pin one of these to your Munich planning boards for later and let me know in the comments if you are going to use Munich as a day trip for skiing or snowboarding in the German/Austrian Alps – or if you have already done so before!