Winter in Berchtesgaden

Winter in Berchtesgaden: program tips for a short vacation

Berchtesgaden is a particularly attractive destination for the whole family in winter. In December, the streets are decorated for Christmas, the Advent market in the heart of the market entices visitors with punch, baked apples and sunny hours on the ski and toboggan runs are a winter highlight. How can you make a short winter holiday with the family in Berchtesgaden varied? This article provides tips, suggestions and ideas.

Tips for a day trip: From the Magic Forest to the Watzmann Thermal Baths

The magical Hintersee fairytale forest is worth a visit at any time of year. In winter, the paths are cleared so that a walk through the snow-covered magical forest is possible. The landscape lies between the Marxenklamm and Hintersee and was created several thousand years ago from 15 million cubic meters of rock that fell from the Hochkalter massif. Today, the landslide masses are overgrown and form one of the most beautiful geotopes in Bavaria. The Ramsau Beautification Association laid out a path through the geotope in 1896/97, which is easy to walk on.

After an exciting trip through nature, the Watzmann thermal baths invite you to romp and play in the water. The thermal baths are considered family-friendly because they have adapted to the special needs of families : There is, among other things, an area for small children where the youngest can splash around in the water. Older children and adults enjoy the peace and quiet in the brine or heat grotto, spend time in the flow channel and on the fun slides or enjoy their time on the comfortable underwater loungers. If you are a little or very hungry, there are various gastronomic options with hot food and a well-stocked selection of ice cream and drinks.

Ideas for two or more days in Berchtesgaden

If families spend a longer time in Berchtesgaden, a long day in the snow is a good idea. There are various pistes and slopes in the Berchtesgaden mountains for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing:

● more than 50 kilometres of slopes for downhill skiing

● 6 ski and snowboard areas

● Snow-sure cross-country skiing trails on the high plateau

● Aschauerweiher cross-country skiing centre

● Kilometers of toboggan runs of varying difficulty levels

Here, children can gain their first experience on skis and ambitious skiers can improve their skills. There are various ski schools in Berchtesgaden and modern equipment can be rented on site according to personal needs. At Götschen in Bischofswiesen, snowboarders will find ideal conditions and can try their tricks and jumps under dazzling floodlights and to music. The Snowboard World Cup also took place there in March 2022. Day tickets are available directly at the lift and multi-day tickets are also available there.

If the weather is not good, the Berchtesgaden ice rink is a good alternative. Ice skates and sledges can be rented so that even younger children can be safe on the ice. The opening times for the public are usually in the afternoon. Families are best advised to find out more directly on site. The hall also offers curling for guests, a fun activity that is suitable for slightly older children .

Tip: There is a combination ticket for the ice rink and the Watzmann thermal baths, which allows you to spend four hours in the thermal baths and visit the ice rink at a reasonable price - even on two different days if you wish.

Family day in the mine and strolling in Berchtesgaden

A day trip of a completely different nature can be planned with a visit to the salt mine . For example, you can discover the Magic Salt Room and the Mirror Lake. The entrance to the tunnel is via the mine train, which takes guests 650 meters into the mountain. The exploration tour starts in the salt cathedral, which was named "Kaiser Franz Sinkwerk" in honor of the emperor at the time. From here, visitors slide down a 34-meter-long wooden slide , which is great fun for children and not just children. The tour continues through the so-called salt laboratory into the blind shaft and on to the drilling mud plant, where interesting insights into the work in the salt mine at that time are provided. After that, a second slide awaits, which takes guests 40 meters down to the Mirror Lake, which lies completely still and reflects the ceiling of the grotto. The raft takes you past magically sparkling salt crystals, which leave an unforgettable impression on all visitors thanks to appropriate illumination and spherical music.

After these magical hours deep down in the mountain, families can plan a visit to the nearby Adelsheim Castle Museum and then take a stroll into the historic Berchtesgaden town center, which is two kilometers away. In December, the stalls of the Advent market are lined up one after the other, perfecting the atmospheric backdrop. The Advent huts sell arts and crafts and traditional items, and of course the scent of Bavarian specialties and sweets is everywhere. Right next to the Advent market is the Hotel EDELWEISS , which is a good choice for a stay with the whole family. The Berchtesgaden Advent market is open until December 31st . But even those who spend a short vacation with the family in Berchtesgaden in another month can enjoy a well-kept town center and stroll leisurely through the historic streets.

In winter, various events and activities take place in Berchtesgaden. Families can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride or be guided through the Royal Palace by candlelight. Theater, music and singing groups put on concerts and nativity plays. Historical market tours show guests hidden and surprising things in Berchtesgaden. Fun runs and shooting events are among many other items on the winter events calendar.