What It’s Like on Germany’s Tallest Mountain: There’s Beer

By Kelley Ferro

I live for winter weekends. Cruising down the ski slopes with brisk air whipping at my face makes me feel alive (and toasting my active day at après-ski makes me feel accomplished). However, it’s also hard to beat warm days filled with nature hikes, waterfalls, and crystalline lakes. But I found a place where you can have it all­­ in the same day.

Germany’s jaw-­dropping Bavaria is one of the most active regions I’ve ever experienced. It certainly offers variety, boasting the country’s tallest ski resort, with trails open all year around. You’ll start in the quaint town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and maybe take a walk through the blooming fields of spring wildflowers, listening to the church bells and admiring the impossibly green wooded forests. By noon, you’ll be zipping up your jacket and strapping on your skis for an afternoon of carving edges down the icy slopes of Zugspitze.

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This impressive mountain is Germany’s tallest at almost 3,000 meters, and it offers a variety of alpine trails, sledding options, and 360-degree views. You can even wave to four other countries on this panoramic peak. Don’t worry — if you get overwhelmed by all the beauty, you can take a moment to warm up with a hefeweizen in Germany’s highest biergarten. I love Germany.

More from Kelley Ferro:

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