Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski resort sits at the foot of the Zugspitze, the country’s highest mountain, and is popular with skiers of all abilities. The resort’s facilities are well maintained across its 60kms of pisted runs. It was here in 1936 that Germany hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

Garmisch seems more organized, with a grid of streets lined with new concrete buildings intermingled with Alpine chalets and upscale shopping streets. Both areas have comfortable hotels with a wide range of amenities and prices for their almost 10,000 guest beds.

There are 44 runs over 60kms of perfectly groomed skiing fields with 48 per cent beginner slopes; 18 per cent for intermediate skiers; 30 per cent, intermediate/advanced; and four per cent expert slopes. Garmisch-Partenkirchen has 45kms of excellent cross-country trails and a skiing circus over five glaciers.

Other winter activities and facilities include: snowboarding; mono-skiing; hiking; mountaineering; paragliding; ice skating (natural and artificial); curling; horse-drawn sleigh rides; indoor swimming and tennis; sauna; a sports centre; and a fitness centre. Other après-ski and nightlife entertainment includes: a casino; 17 cafés; concerts; theatres; cinema; folklore evenings; nine discos and 12 bars.

The best snow in Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s long November-May season can be had from early February to mid-March, with cheaper weeks offered before the Christmas holidays, after New Year and in April/May.

The most practical way of getting to and from Garmisch-Partenkirchen ski resort is to fly to Münich and take a train, via the city, to the resort; there are regular connections to and from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The most convenient way would be to hire a car at the airport.