Things to do in Bavaria

Bavaria Skiing Holidays

"If you can ski the Arber, you can ski anywhere in the world."

With everything from a beginner's/children's area though blue and red slopes, to the terrifying black slopes, the Arber and surrounding Bavarian Forest is the ideal winter sports resort for families and mixed ability groups.

Beginners will not be intimidated here, with gentle nursery slopes and conveyor bets to take you to the top, while expert skiers will find enough to challenge them, even without miles of pistes and interconnected ski areas.

Keen winter sports enthusiasts or those wanting to learn have the choice of:

• downhill skiing
• snowboarding
• cross country skiing
• tobogganing
• snow shoe walking

The Arber region is one of the most reliable for snow in Germany and also the best equipped, with snow cannons and piste preparation equipment. It is the location of the German National Ski Training Centre and hosted Women's World Cup Slalom and Grand Slalom races several times in the last few years. And just across the border is the Czech ski area at Spicak - easily reached by train.

The skiing season usually opens in late November and continues until Easter/mid April.

Carfree winter sports: winter walks and cross country ski trails are within walking distance of the apartments. With your guest card, you can reach the Arber FREE by using the ski bus service and the Czech slopes can be reached FREE by train.

Access to the runs

The skiing and snowboarding runs and the toboggan run at the Arber can be reached in 10 minutes by car from the house or by taking the ski bus (free with GUTi card) which stops 100 metres from the house. The Arber has a cable car, 2 6-seater chair lifts and 2 drag lifts.

The ski runs of the Spicak and Pancir mountains in the Czech Republic are a 10 minute train ride away.

Cross country skiing and winter walks start within a few metres of the house and there are several large cross country skiing centres within 10 minutes drive of the house. It is also possible to ski and walk into the Czech Republic.

We can arrange lessons and equipment hire.

Downhill Skiing

The Arber has 3 blue (easy) runs, 4 red (medium) runs and 2 black (difficult) runs. There is also a 5km descent to Bodenmais. There are 3 ski schools and 2 shops providing equipment hire as well as selling clothing in the village as well as ski rental at the Arber. There is floodlit skiing on 2 of the runs on Wednesday and Friday evenings, 18.00-21.30.  Lessons cost from €60 for 3 days. Equipment hire costs from €38 for 3 days.

Snowboarding

The Playboard Rail Park is the largest of its kind in Germany.

Lessons cost from €60 for 3 days. Equipment hire from €44 for 3 days. We can also arrange private snowboarding lessons very easily.

Cross country skiing

There are cross country skiing trails around the village as well as cross country skiing centres at Bayerisch Haeusl on the other side of the village, Bretterschachten at the Grosser Arbersee and at Zwieselerwaldhaus. Lessons cost from €60 for 3 days. Equipment hire from €28 for 3 days. Cross country skiers also have the chance to have a go at the Biathlon - every Wednesday afternoon, from 13.00 - 17.00 it is possible to try out rifle shooting at the Hohenzollern stadium near the Arber See, under expert supervision. Cost: €30 for 25 shots.

Tobogganing

The Arber has 2 toboggan runs: the red one goes through the forest. The blue one runs from the top of the Sonnenhang lift down to the bottom of the nursery runs at the Thurnhofstueberl. From there a free shuttle bus goes back to the Sonnenhang lift. Toboggans which meet safety standards are available to hire.

There is also a toboggan run in the forest near the Forsthaus and we have toboggans and plastic sliders for guests to borrow.

Snow shoe walking

Through the forest around the village. Guided walks are available. Snow shoes can be hired in the village for €8 per day and the shop which rents them out will give guidance on how to use them.

Lessons

Skiing and snowboarding lessons last approximately 3 hours per day, from 09.30 to 12.30, with teaching in groups of 6-8. Groups are divided up according to ability, with beginners learning in a special area separated from the main ski run. After 3 days of lessons, most beginners should be able to cope with going up in the ski lift and skiing down the easier slopes on their own.

Courses can be started on any day of the week, including Sundays and holidays and run on all days in the season - including Christmas Day and New Year's Day

Clothing

Cannot be hired but can be bought quite cheaply at the local shops. The basics are: an anorak, waterproof trousers to wear over normal trousers, hat and gloves.

Ski Passes

Ski passes cost from €15 for 1 hour to €30 per day or €147 per week. Click here to see the full list of ski pass prices. There are reductions for families, children and over-60s. There are also tickets for different periods, the whole season and for night skiing.

There is apres-ski both at the Arber and in the village.

Click here for details of the runs on the Arber:
www.arber.de

and in the Czech Republic

www.spicak.cz

Contact us

Bavarian Forest Holidays
Hans-Watzlik-Strasse 8
94252 Bayerisch Eisenstein
Germany
Tel. (Germany) +49 (0)9925 90 32 04 (UK) 07976 403434
Email: