How to Nordic Ski in Germany

Germany lies south of the Scandinavian countries in which Nordic skiing began, and its citizens are no strangers to the sport. The nation won seven cross country skiing medals during the 2010 Olympics, proving their love for this classic winter pastime. Germany's southern Bavarian region and its Alps provide the most consistent areas of snow, but German ski clubs and resorts throughout the country offer trails when the ground cover is just right.

Things You'll Need

  • Classic or skate skies, boots, and poles
  • Cold-weather clothing
  • Ski trail maps
  • Ski pass, necessary at some resorts
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Instructions

  1. Bavaria

    • 1

      Ski in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the site of the 1936 Olympic Winter Games and still a town for winter sport competition. Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain at 9,700 feet, is part of the attraction there, but Nordic skiers need not reach that height. About 17 miles of Nordic skiing are in or near town. A 1-mile track is lit for night skiing.

    • 2

      Test the trails of the German Alps in the towns neighboring Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Lenggries, Mittenwald, Oberammergau and Oberstdorf offer cross country ski trails. Check their local tourist board websites for trail maps and snow reports. Oberammergau may be the best town of this bunch for Nordic skiers because it features more than 90 miles of ski tracks. Each year the town hosts the King Ludwig Race for cross-country ski professionals.

    • 3

      Ski in the Bavarian Forest in southeastern Germany. The Bavarian Forest tourist website showcases seven areas in this region for cross-country skiing. One favored area is the National Park, which offers about 50 miles of Nordic trails for a skiers of various skill levels.

    • 4

      Ski the trails in Berchtesgadener Land in the southeast corner of Germany. The trails are near the Eagle's Nest, the former home and southern headquarters Adolf Hitler, which is now a restaurant and tourist attraction. The region features more than 60 miles of cross-country ski trails. Fourteen local tourist offices offer information about ski trails and their conditions.

    West, North or Central Germany

    • 5

      Select among a whopping 1,000 miles of Nordic ski trails in the Black Forest. The Black Forest Tourism website recommends skiing in the Ferienland region in the eastern portion of the Black Forest, near the towns of Schönwald, Schonach or Furtwangen. The towns are connected by a 60-mile long-distance trail. The Ferienland website provides specific information about the region's trails.

    • 6

      Glide in North Rhine-Westphalia in northwest Germany, which features almost 200 miles of Nordic trails in Wintersport-Arena Sauerland region, which comprises several towns and mountain slopes with plenty of lodging and ski services available. Five miles of trails are groomed with artificial snow, which is unusual for Nordic trails, but it allows the region to boast skiing from December to March. A comprehensive list of trails on the Wintersport-Arena Sauerland website provides trail information and conditions.

    • 7

      Ski in the Harz Mountains, located in central Germany, about halfway between Cologne and Berlin. The region offers more than 300 miles of trails. The Harz Ski website provides information on ski conditions by region. The website is in German, but it translates well with an online translation tool. Braunlage is a recommended town for cross-country skiers, where there are more beds for ski tourists than for the town's population.

    Preparation

    • 8

      Most German Nordic ski areas offer classic and skate-style trails. Check maps of a specific area to determine which trails are groomed for each respective type.

    • 9

      Purchase a trail pass, where required. Some German ski resorts require a pass to use their trails, while others do not. Check with a resort's website or its main office for trail requirements.

    • 10

      Rent cross-country skis at a German sports shop or at a ski resort. Call ahead to reserve skis and to confirm open hours.

    • 11

      Review a map of cross-country ski trails before you go, and carry it with you when skiing. Websites for local ski regions provide downloadable maps. Ski areas usually provide a posted map, but they do not always have portable maps.

    • 12

      Take lessons at a German ski school. In German, the word is "Ski Schule" or "Langlaufschulen" for cross-country ski school. Some schools offer English-speaking instructors, especially in the Bavarian tourist regions of the German Alps.

    • 13

      Learn some German Nordic ski terms before heading out. "Loipe" is the term for trail, and a "Loipe gespurt" is a groomed trail. "Langlauf" is the sport of cross-country skiing. Look for that term to find cross-country ski trails. Avoid trails named "Winterwanderweg," if you prefer to ski. Those trails are for winter hiking.