Active in Winter
If you think an Alpine winter holidays means St. Moritz prices and packed pistes – think again! The Tegernsee Valley is your ideal snow holiday destination. With inexpensive flights into Munich and a whole network of easy-to-reach towns nestling between mountains and lake, you will not get an equally laid-back yet diverse holiday experience anywhere else. Try a snow shoe hike through pristine fir woods, hop on a sledge or saunter around one of the local Christmas markets with their original German wooden toys and sweets. If you are thinking about taking up skiing or snowboarding, you will find a whole range of ski schools and attractive beginner’s slopes to get through your first few tumbles. And at the end of any glorious winter day in the valley, a log fire and mulled wine will cheer your spirits.
Send us a booking request through this website, or get on the phone and let one of our staff members assemble an all-inclusive winter special for you.
The Tegernsee holiday region makes for the perfect place to spend a truly active winter holiday. The sheer range of sports and leisure options within walking distance of your accommodation will convince you very quickly: all five towns around Lake Tegernsee come with their own ice rink, ski or tobogganing slopes and health walking trails into the surrounding meadows and mountains. Equipment can easily be rented, and a number of indoor venues from swimming to fitness and sauna areas should keep those active who are weary of the winter weather.
Get on the Piste!
The Tegernsee Valley stands out as a ski and snowboard destination for several reasons: its pistes are hardly ever crowded, embedded in untainted nature and conceived in a way that never overtaxes the biosphere around them. Quite unlike the big Swiss, French and Austrian resorts, the Tegernsee ski regions shape part of a traditional community, where locals happily rub shoulders with international visitors, and where events from winter bonfires to ‘carnival in the snow’ bring together several generations. There are around 10 km of piste available in the immediate vicinity, varying from 800 to 1,700 m above sea level. Popular among free-riders is the 3.2 km off-piste Glaslhang at the top of Mount Wallberg, whereas beginners and families with young children delight in the low and easy pistes of Hirschberg, Sonnenbichl, Oedberg and Sonnenmoos, which are no more than a 10 minute drive from the various towns around the lake.
» more information about the ski slopes at Lake Tegernsee
Discover the Sutten Ski & Snowboard Area
Those who seek to avoid t-bar and rope-tow lifts will enjoy the recently modernized Suttenbahn chairlifts – a mere 20 minute drive away from Rottach-Egern town centre. Here, a further 25 km of piste catering for all levels of skill await fans of powder snow and highly diverse runs. Broad pistes attract families and carving style skiers, whilst die-hard boarders and freestyle skiers head off on winding trails through the surrounding forests. A funpark at the ‘Untere Firstalm’ provides decently scaled jumps, whilst the best powder snow is found at Mount Rosskopf. Several inns and huts offer delicious hot and cold snacks and the possibility of recharging and warming up around an authentic tiled stove.
Spectacular adventure sports await the more daring: take flight in a hot air balloon or try paragliding to get a bird’s eye view of the valley. Or how about a GPS paper chase on snow shoes? Or maybe you are interested in learning a couple of tricks at the Spitzingsee ski and snowboard funpark? Horse lovers will enjoy a spin through the wintry valley in a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage. Two different stables cater for dressage lessons and cross-country rides, which can be arranged individually or for groups.
At the end of an action-packed day, our visitors enjoy warming up at a steam bath or in the tub. Many hotels and even B&Bs even come with a log fire or tiled stove. Enjoy your winter at the foot of the Alps!
Snow Shoe Hiking Around Lake Tegernsee
An age-old means of getting around when the snow is piled high has recently become the new hip winter sport: snow shoe hiking. More and more winter sports fans strap on the modern light-weight versions of the formerly wooden wickerwork and set out into the pristine hills around Lake Tegernsee. The popularity is founded on many potent advantages to this very gentle activity: ‘flotation’ means that the hiker’s weight is distributed over a larger area so that it becomes less off an effort to traverse very deep snow, and there is far less erosion and danger of avalanches than would be the case with heavy hiking boots. Finally, the clear winter air often allows for better and more far-reaching views over the valley and towards Munich than any other season of the year.
Tobogganing Round Lake Tegernsee
Tobogganing is a fabulous form of winter entertainment that never went out of fashion in the Tegernsee Valley. Flying downhill on a sledge is not only inexpensive (as long as you drag your little wooden vehicle uphill yourself), it is also very physical, healthy and makes for a great nature experience. Discover Germany’s longest natural tobogganing run: this 6.5 km ride down the slopes of Mount Wallberg is simply an experience you cannot miss, be it with family or friends or just on your own. Right next to Mount Wallberg, another thrilling run can be found down from lovely Mount Hirschberg. A very enjoyable hike from Tegernsee Town up to the popular Neureuth mountain inn will set you off on a 2 km run amongst snowy forests. A total of 8 natural tobogganing runs are scattered around Lake Tegernsee, and sledges are for rent in most of the towns. Simply ask your accommodation provider or in one of the Tourist Information Centres – and make sure you bring a very warm hat!
Through the Valley by Coach
Several traditional family businesses around Lake Tegernsee rear and train Bavarian haflinger horses and other sturdy races – who have been bringing visitors from town to town for well over a hundred years. Travel through the snow-laden valley with two horse powers at your command and take life at a leisurely pace. Your journey could include a stop-over for mulled wine at a log cabin and some amazing photo opportunities.
Bell-jingling romance is to be had during a nocturnal coach ride – when gentle snow flakes fall and fairy lights reflect in the still black water of the lake. The perfect outing for a couple in love … or indeed for the whole family!
Save Money With Alpen Plus
Both ski areas – Tegernsee and Spitzingsee – as well as three further regions can be accessed with the ‘Alpen Plus’ ski pass. An adult will pay a mere 117 euros for 6 days, children up to 15 years pay 60 euros. Ideal for those wishing to try skiing or snowboarding for the first time or to improve their skills are the various professional ski schools around the valley. Individual lessons are available as well as very affordable group classes. All pistes come with individual ski and snowboard rentals.
Check out Alpen Plus ski passes today. [more]
The Alpen Plus weather & webcame page will show you the state of pistes in all of the Alpen Plus ski regions. [more]
A Long Winter Weekend at Lake Tegernsee
Winter dawn paints a symphony of pinks into the sky, then the sun rises and reflects brilliantly off the softly undulating snow-covered hills… This could be your Sunday morning waking up in a traditional Bavarian mountain B&B or a lakefront luxury hotel. Sit down to a sumptuous and healthy breakfast before you set out into a day of discoveries: from ice skating to a snow ball fight, leisurely shopping among the luxury boutiques, jewelers and home decoration stores of Rottach, to your first ski or snowboard lesson. In the evening, a range of cosy restaurants await you, some with open wood fires, all with delicious winter specialties from roast duck to carp and ginger bread ice cream. Whether you are enjoying your holiday on your own, with your loved one, friends or family, you will keep coming back to this magical winter paradise.
