Garmisch-Partenkirchen Intermediate Skiing
Intermediate skiers love Garmisch. At the Classic area, long pistes spread across huge vertical drops make the resort a favourite with intermediates. The Zugspitze area’s above-treeline glacier runs are not to be skipped on clear days.The Classic area has the longest and most impressive array of intermediate runs. It is possible to ski1300 m (4,265 ft.) from the top of the Alpspitzbahn down to the base. Three former downhill runs (Olympia, Kochelberg, and Standard-Tonihutte) fall over 600m uninterrupted. The Olypmia run hosted the 1936 Olympic downhill. Lots of vertical is possible by lapping these three pistes and they’re so enjoyable that many first-timers end up skipping some of the more intersting intermediate runs near the summit of the Classic area.
We particularly recommend a run down Bernadein. Serviced by its own surface lift, this run drops through a narrow gap in the mountain before opening up into a wide piste between two towering rockfaces.
The Zugspitze area is an intermediate’s paradise. The glacier has 15km or so of relaxed wide-open skiing, all above the treeline. The runs are a bit on the easier end of the red spectrum and strong beginners will find many of them within reach. There are no advanced runs on the glacier, so intermediates can explore the entire area. If taking the Zugspitzebahn through the mountain to the top, be sure to check to see if the Riffelriss run is open. When it is, get off the train at the Riffelriss station to ski this often-missed red run back down to the Eibsee Zugspitzebahn train station.