Zooming down the mountain for what feels like forever – that’s what everyone wants. Here we reveal the eight longest ski runs in Upper Bavaria, Eastern Bavaria, the Allgäu and Franconia for ski fans with plenty of stamina.
Bavaria’s Longest Ski Slopes
There is a large number of ski areas in Bavaria. The spectrum ranges from family-friendly slopes in the low mountain ranges to alpine terrain for experts. And naturally, the fun on the slopes should never end. That is why we present the eight longest ski runs in Bavaria here – for never-ending skiing fun.
Almberg: 2 Kilometres
The family ski area around the Almberg (1,139 metres) near Mitterfirmiansreut in the Bavarian Forest, about 20 kilometres east of Grafenau on the Czech border, is considered very snow-sure. In addition, snow cannons ensure good snow conditions. A double chairlift, four drag lifts, a rope lift and four magic carpets take skiers up the mountain.
Cross-country skiers and winter hikers can enjoy 23 kilometres of trails as well as ski and winter hiking paths. The longest run on the Almberg leads from the top station of the chairlift down to the Bärnbachklause hut. The slope is two kilometres long and overcomes a difference in altitude of almost 300 metres.
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Arber-Osthang East Slope: 1.5 Kilometres
The Großer Arber, north of Bodenmais, is the largest and most popular family ski area in the Bavarian Forest. It offers runs of all levels of difficulty, ranging from the easy “ArBär Children’s Area & Dwarves’ Land” and the gentle Thurnhof lifts to the challenging World Cup gondola slope and East Slope extension. Skiers will also find wide slopes here that are perfect for carving.
The longest run descends the East Slope down into the valley. It is 1.5 kilometres long and overcomes a difference in altitude of 426 metres. To reach the starting point, you first take the six-seater gondola and then a drag lift. Experienced skiers can also follow an unprepared ski route five kilometres down to Bodenmais.
arber.de (only in German)
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Nebelhorn: 7.5 Kilometres
The Nebelhorn near Oberstdorf in the Upper Allgäu is one of the most versatile ski areas in the Allgäu. A cable car with three sections takes you up close to the summit at 2,214 metres. In good weather, the view stretches across 400 Alpine peaks. The people of Oberstdorf therefore like to call their local mountain the “Tribune of the Alps.”
From the top station, the longest snow-covered valley run in Bavaria (and in Germany) also leads down into the valley. It is 7.5 kilometres long and covers an altitude difference of around 1,400 metres. The difficulty level of the slopes ranges from easy to challenging. Along the way there are numerous places to stop for refreshments.
ok-bergbahnen.com (only in German)
Breitenberg/Pfronten: 6 Kilometres
The Breitenberg/Hochalpe ski area is located in the Ostallgäu district near Pfronten. The Hochalpe lies on a high plateau below the peaks of Breitenberg (1,838 metres) and Aggenstein (1,987 metres).
The intermediate runs for skiers range between 1,300 and just under 1,700 metres in altitude. They are served by chairlifts and drag lifts. When snow conditions are good, a six-kilometre ski route leads down to the Breitenberg cable car.
breitenbergbahn.de (only in German)
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Ochsenkopf: 2.3 Kilometres
At 1,024 metres, the Ochsenkopf near Bischofsgrün is the second-highest mountain in the Fichtel Mountains in Upper Franconia (after the Schneeberg at 1,051 metres). Chairlifts run up the Ochsenkopf from both the north and the south. The valley stations are located in Bischofsgrün and in Fleckl, part of the municipality of Warmensteinach.
From the summit of the Ochsenkopf you can also enjoy Franconia’s longest ski run. It follows the North Slope for 2,300 metres down to Fröbershammer, a district of Bischofsgrün – closely followed by the South Slope, which at 1,900 metres in length takes skiers down to Fleckl.
Arnsberg: 1.3 Kilometres
Rounded hills of volcanic origin are typical of the Rhön low mountain range. One of them is the 843-metre Arnsberg in the Franconian part of the low mountain range, located between Gersfeld and Bischofsheim and about 50 kilometres north of Schweinfurt. In winter, the “Arnsberglifte” ski area invites visitors to enjoy winter sports.
In addition to easy slopes for everyone, experienced skiers will also find intermediate sections. Three ski huts provide food and drink. There are six runs in total, with a combined length of ten kilometres. The longest run from the Arnsberglift I is 1,250 metres long and covers an altitude difference of almost 250 metres.
arnsberglifte.de (only in German)
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Osterfelderkopf: 8.8 Kilometres
The run from the Steinplatte down to the Seegatterl car park near Reit im Winkl is often described as the longest in Bavaria. At nine kilometres, however, most of it lies in Austria. Focusing only on Upper Bavaria, the longest run is the valley descent from the Osterfelderkopf in the Garmisch-Classic ski area. The 2,057-metre-high mountain in the Wetterstein range is a subsidiary peak of the Alpspitze.
You take the Alpspitzbahn cable car up, whose valley station is located between Grainau and Hammersbach. Just a few steps from the top station, the AlpspiX viewing platform juts out over the abyss. The ski run is 8.8 kilometres long and covers a difference in altitude of 1,330 metres.
grainau.de (only in German)
Jenner: 7 Kilometres
The second-longest run in Upper Bavaria is the seven-kilometre Jenner descent near Schönau am Königssee in the Berchtesgadener Land regions. However, it is initially an unprepared ski route before it becomes a piste.
If you are looking for continuously prepared runs, these are worth considering: in the Rossfeld–Berchtesgaden–Oberau ski area, the six-kilometre valley run to Oberau has an altitude difference of 820 metres.
There is no lift at the end of the run, but an RVO bus takes skiers back up to the Rossfeld. Further tips for extended fun on the slopes in the Chiemgau include the valley run from the Kampenwand, which is five kilometres long and has an altitude difference of 840 metres, and in the Schliersee area, the run from the upper Sudelfeld to Bayrischzell, which is 4.2 kilometres long and has an altitude difference of 713 metres.
