Family Travel Forum - Germany's Family Skiing

Germany’s Bavarian Alps may not be alive in winter with the sound of music, but they do host several smaller ski resorts that are family-friendly and wallet-friendly. To acquaint yourself with them, try a family roadtrip one weekend, starting from Munich and encompassing a few resorts to the south, such as Berchtesgaden, Reit im Winkl, Sonthofen, Lenggries, or Oberstdorf.

Berchtesgaden is the main town of the Berchtesgadener Land and just 20 minutes from Salzburg, Austria. Famous for its wintertime bobsled and luge competitions, it has 36 miles of groomed cross-country trails, many spas and a picturesque Old Town built around a Lion Fountain from 1558.

Reit im Winkl is a smaller mountain town where traditional Bavarian clothes and music still prevail. The "Dö Koasawinkla" association keeps the old wardrobes, dances, and songs going. At an altitude of 695 meters, Reit im Winkl, too, is a center of cross-country skiing.

Farther west, the scenic resort area of Sonthofen is popular for its hiking, horse-drawn carriage tours and mini-golf in summer, and its alpine skiing in winter. Families can also watch the longest toboggan run in Germany, enjoy folk evenings with live music, visit the resident cheesemonger, or search for fossils at Starzlachklamm.

Lenggries' most well-known mountain is the Braunek, with the Braunek cable car, eight alpine huts, and three ski schools. There are also cross-country trails in the nearby Isar Valley. Visitors can also take a sleigh ride or catch a local hockey game.

Even better known is Oberstdorf, home to the international ski jumping events, which hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships from February 16-27, 2005. Located in the southern corner of Germany, Oberstdorf boasts of the world's largest shoe (made of 18 cowhides) in its Museum of Local History and the world's largest pedestrian zone. Popular slopes Nebelhorn, Fellhorn, and Söllereck welcome alpine skiers, while nordic skiers can check out 70 km of prepared trails. An ice stadium, toboggan run, and ski schools for kids top it all off.