Mittenwald is a lovely alpine town located near the Austria border in southern Germany. Here, the beautiful Karwendel and Wetterstein mountain ranges converge, creating a splendid natural setting. Best known as a major center for violin making, the town of Mittenwald has more to offer than just the interesting Violin Making Museum and picturesque mountain views. In the foothills of the Wetterstein Mountains, the main Mittenwald Ski Area unfolds, offering winter sports enthusiasts a fun place to play. When visitors aren't hitting the slopes in Mittenwald during the winter months, a variety of other rewarding pursuits can be enjoyed. This is also a popular summer destination, as summer offers its own pleasures.

The Bavarian Alps offer the best skiing and snowboarding in Germany, and this lends to the popularity of the Mittenwald Ski Area. The main ski area in Mittenwald is known as Kranzberg. A medium-size ski area, it offers more than enough runs to satisfy all levels, with an impressive vertical drop of 4,300 feet. Most of the runs at Mittenwald cater to beginners and intermediate-level skiers and snowboarders, though advanced-level visitors are sure to enjoy the Dammkar run. This ungroomed downhill course stretches for miles and is often blanketed in powdery snow. A cable car helps to get skiers and snowboarders up the mountain swiftly, as do the chairlift and the six surface, or drag lifts. It should be mentioned that lessons can be arranged if you are interested during your trip to the Mittenwald Ski Area. It is also possible to rent equipment if you are without. Other things that are worth checking out are the snow park, or terrain park, and the special children's skiing park.

Should your Germany vacation see you visiting Mittenwald in the winter, there will be plenty of options for things to do. When you're not hitting the slopes, you can take to the cross-country ski trails or do some winter hiking on special trails that have been cleared. Tobogganing, or sledding as it also known, can be a blast, and a horse-drawn sleigh ride can be a charming way to see the sights. As is popular at many ski areas in Europe, Mittenwald features an rink where visitors can do some ice skating, so you might rent some skates and give that a try. Summer activities including kayaking, climbing, biking, and hiking. The Kranzberg and the surrounding area is actually a joy to visit regardless of the season. In the spring, for example, the blossoming alpine flowers is reason enough to visit.

Germany Map

If you are interested in skiing or snowboarding at Mittenwald's Kranzberg Ski Area, getting there is a relatively easy pursuit. Just 66 miles away to the north is Munich, and the Austrian city of Innsbruck is less than 30 miles away to the southeast. Many visitors hop on a train in one of these cities to get to Mittenwald. In addition to figuring out to get to Mittenwald, you will likely need to decide on a place to stay. The Mittenwald hotels aren't overly luxurious or abundant in number, though there are some good ones to choose from and the rates are friendly. One of the best hotels in town is the Hotel Post, and if you can't get a room there, another top pick is the Hotel Garni. For those who really want to save on rates, then the Landhaus Sonnenbichl is arguably the place to stay. As is true of so many hotels that can be found near ski areas in the European Alps, these three Mittenwald hotels include breakfast in their rates to help guests get their days started off on the right foot.