When most people living in Germany think about skiing or snowboarding, their minds jump straight to the Alps. Fair enough. The Alps are spectacular. But getting there can be a bear – think traffic, crowds, and those gnarly Alpine roads. Little known fact: within just a few hours’ drive, KMC dwellers can find a surprising mix of lesser-known winter sports destinations that are perfect for off-the-beaten-piste weekend getaways. Here are five under-the-radar, non-Alps spots that offer plenty of winter magic without the logistical headaches.
Wintersport-Arena Sauerland
The Sauerland region often feels surprising: you’re nowhere near the Alps, yet the infrastructure is modern and the terrain is far more substantial than most central German hills. If you’re new (or even new-ish) to skiing or snowboarding, the Wintersport-Arena, which is a partnership of almost half a dozen ski areas, will be your jam. The runs are ideal for beginning and intermediate skiiers.
Aerovista Luchtfotografie / Shutterstock. Winterberg, Germany
Winterberg itself is the best-known ski area in the region. But if you venture beyond the main pistes, you’ll find quiet slopes, forested runs, and a laid-back regional culture. Snowmaking is extensive, giving the area one of the most reliable winters north of the Alps.
Willingen, another great option, feels more off the beaten path, with sweeping views and a friendly small-town atmosphere.
Getting there: by car, plan for about 3.5 hours from Kaiserslautern, 2.5 hours from Wiesbaden, and 4.5 hours from Stuttgart.
Black Forest
Germany’s Black Forest may be famous for its cake and cuckoo clocks. But it is also a super hilly natural paradise that provides several compact, hassle-free (and lower-priced, relative to the Alps) ski areas.
eugen_z / Shutterstock.com Feldberg. Black Forest, Germany
Feldberg is the largest and most developed mountain in the region, but it remains far less touristed than any Alpine destination. The evergreen backdrop provides a cool, distinct Nordic-German vibe, too. You’ll feel like you’ve found a local gem, and the slopes wind through thick forests and wide open ridges. Feldberg is a great place for snowboarders in particular, thanks to its wide pistes and rolling terrain.
Getting there: by car, Feldberg is about 3.5 hours from Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden, and 2 hours from Stuttgart.
Eifel Region
If you want a quirky, spontaneous, or day-trip ski outing, the Eifel’s small resorts and lift-served hills are ideal. Spots like Schwarzer Mann, Wolfsschlucht, and Hohe Acht offer limited but fun pistes that scratch the skiing itch without the long drive.
M. Volk / Shutterstock.com Hohe Acht mountain in the Eifel
You won’t find big mountains in the Eifel. But you will find charm, a lack of crowds, and slopes that are perfect for beginners or anyone chasing a quick-hit winter adventure close to Kaiserslautern.
Getting there: by car, most Eifel ski areas are about 2 hours from Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden, and 3.5 hours from Stuttgart.
Vosges Mountains, France
Cross the border into France, head for the Vosges Mountains, and things get a little more dramatic. The Vosges offer wide-open ridge lines and sweeping downhill runs that feel Alpine without the long drive (or the Alpine prices). Visitors also get a French resort atmosphere without mega-resort crowds, and generally good snow reliability.
pixinoo / Shutterstock.com Gerardmer, France
La Bresse-Hohneck is the largest ski area, with modern lifts and a surprising amount of really good terrain. Gérardmer offers a quieter, more traditional French-mountain experience that is not flashy, but still extremely enjoyable.
Getting there: by car, La Bresse-Hohneck and Gérardmer ski areas are about 3 hours from Kaiserslautern and Stuttgart, and 4 hours from Wiesbaden.
Bavarian Forest – Großer Arber
The Großer Arber offers some of the best non-Alpine terrain in Germany. The mountain has carving-friendly slopes, excellent grooming, and the best vertical drop (outside the Alps) in Germany. It also has a relaxed, family-oriented culture, and enjoys stronger natural snowfall than most central German hills.
imageBROKER.com / Shutterstock.com Großer Arber, Bavarian Forest, Germany
Bonus: the Bavarian Forest is stunning in winter—think frosted trees, quiet valleys, and a distinctly slower pace.
Getting there: by car, the Großer Arber is just under 5 hours from Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden and 4 hours from Stuttgart.
Note: Whatever winter sport destination you choose, make sure to check the snow conditions before you go, and to gear up properly. And then enjoy yourself out there!
Featured photo by pixinoo / Shutterstock.com
