Spoilt for choice with the winter holiday options in Oberstdorf

By Bernhard Krieger Dec 27, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Oberstdorf, Germany - The German skiing season generally runs from the beginning of December until the end of April and there are not many easier resorts to reach than Oberstdorf, which straddles the border with Austria.

Oberstdorf in Germany's southernmost region certainly isn't the winter holiday destination for anyone suffering from a lack of decisiveness as the largest ski resort in the Alpine province of Allgaue presents countless skiing opportunities.

Alpine skiers have the choice of five mountains routes, offering a total of 124 kilometres of piste in Germany's only trans-national skiing region.

The Fellhorn is the highest mountain of the five, boasting perfectly groomed ski slopes from the 2,058-metre-high Kanzelwand that leads into Kleinwalsertal and Austria.

By far the most challenging area is Oberstdorfer Hausberg. The 2,224m-high Nebelhorn offers a great playground for tour skiers and freeriders until late spring. The slope goes past the Iglu Hotel and the only halfpipe in Germany before skiers enjoy the thrill of a 7.5 km descent - the longest in the country - to Oberstdorf.

It is recommended that families with small children stay at Soellereck, which has the advantage of three ski schools and beginners' lifts. Anyone wishing to ski down all five skiing areas should also make an excursion to Walmendingerhorn and Ifen.

Just like the downhill skiing areas, the cross-country skiing loops are spread across the entire valley, which is home to around 10,000 inhabitants.

As well as the 75 km of marked classic cross-country skiing loops, there are also another 55 km for fans of skating. For the bravest of tourists, there is also the possibility of taking a ski-jumping course.

A spot of relaxation will likely be on the cards after any visit to Oberstdorf's ski-jumping arena so there are also 140 km of winter hiking trails, including a fascinating route past the frozen waterfalls in the Breitachklamm, the deepest gorge in Europe.

The pedestrian zone is also calm in Oberstdorf, which with its many small shops and bars is different than a lot of Alpine skiing villages.

Oberstdorf isn't a party location either, but rather a destination for lovers of good food and beer thanks to its many Bavarian restaurants. In others words, it's all anyone could wish for in a winter holiday destination.