Map
of Germany
GERMANY
by Bob Wall
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Germany must be considered a contender among European ski resorts.The Alps of Bavaria are close to Munich, which offers a convenient gateway for skiers from North America. Ski centers are less than two hours away via a well maintained limited-access highway network and high-speed efficient rail.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a bustling resort at the foot of Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze. It gained international fame when it hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics. After constructing facilities needed to stage the Games, it became a first class winter resort.
Millions of Americans have visited Garmisch while serving in the Armed Forces in Europe. The military has maintained a recreation center there ever since the end of World War II. Returning veterans help make the twin towns one of their favorite resorts in the "Best of the Alps" joint marketing program.
Oberstdorf in the Allgauer Alps is well known to television viewers in the United States for its ski flying hill. Jumpers regularly soar more than 150 meters from this giant ski jump. The village is also a superb resort for alpine and cross country skiing. It is possible to ski from Oberstdorf into the Kleinwalsertal in Austria.
Nordic skiers find hundreds of kilometers of groomed trails throughout southern Germany. To the west, in the famed Black Forest, the summer walking trails become a vast playground for skiers with skinny skis. There are downhill ski areas in the Schwarzwald, too, but U. S. skiers generally pass up these smaller areas, in favor of the Alps of Gemany, Austria and Switzerland.
The lifestyle in the Bavarian and Allgauer ski resorts reflects the joy of living that is so prevalent among southern Germans They always seem to have time to stop for a coffee or beer and exchange views with visitors.
Accommodations vary from five star hotels that often resemble a mountain chalet to simple farmhouses. And the pensions set a standard for bed and breakfast arrangements.
A ski trip to Gemany also has great sightseeing bonuses. The major resorts have several castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Chief among these is Neuschwanstein, reputed to be the inspiration for the castle at Disneyworld.
Oberammergau, which we include in the following pages, does offer some alpine skiing and hosts one of the best known Nordic marathons. But it is on many tourist agendas, even when its famous Passion Play is not scheduled.
And then there is Munich, a gateway yes, but an ideal stopover. Wonderful museums, royal palaces, medieval gates, music halls, open air markets, fancy boutiques---all there to see. Along with hundreds of fancy or quaint eateries-and, of course, crowded beer halls, where oompah bands will stir you to join in the gayety.
It's a great town to learn the German varieties of Gemütlichkeit, a word that connotes hospitality, friendly atmosphere and relaxed pleasure.
GERMAN NATIONAL TOURIST OFFICE
New York
122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168-0072
Tel: 212-661-7200
Fax: 212-661-7174
E-mail: gntonyc@d-z-t.com
Internet: www.Germany-tourism.de
Chicago
P.O. Box 59594
Chicago, IL 60659-9594
Tel: 773-539-6303
Fax: 773-539-6378
E-mail: gntoch@aol.com
Los Angeles
8484 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 440
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Tel: 323-655-6085
E-mail: gntolax@aol.com
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