You don’t need to ski to have a great time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the winter months. Last January I planned a trip there for a group of friends, and half of us never clicked into a ski binding. We still filled every day: frozen gorges, the top of Germany, snowy lake loops, painted houses, and spa time.

Here’s everything we did (and what I’d tell you before you go), whether you’re the non-skier in a ski group or just want a slower kind of Alpine winter.

1. Walk through a frozen gorge at Partnachklamm

This was the group favorite. The Partnach Gorge is a roughly 700-meter path cut into rock walls up to 80 meters high, and in winter the springs in the cliffs freeze into curtains of icicles above the turquoise river. It’s one of the few gorges in the Alps that stays open in winter. It’s gorgeous and a must-do.

Getting there: Take the local bus or train to the Olympic Ski Stadium, then follow the signs. It’s a flat scenic, 20–30-minute walk to the ticket hut.

Tips:

Buy your ticket online and download it before you go. There’s no cell signal in the gorge, and you scan a QR code at the turnstile.
Bring shoes with real grip. The path is wet and icy in places, and it’s noticeably colder inside than out.
Strollers aren’t allowed
Check the official site the morning you go. It shows a simple open/closed status, and the gorge can close for ice or snow.

2. Stand on top of Germany: Zugspitze

Zugspitze is Germany’s highest peak, and on a clear day the summit terrace looks out over four countries. You don’t need skis to enjoy it. We spent most of our day on the glacier plateau, sledding, eating, and taking far too many photos.

Some of us did ski a bit then our group met up at one of the restaurants for a tasty lunch with a killer view.

Doing it on your own (the Zugspitze Round Trip): This is easier than it sounds, and it’s how we did it.

Start at the Zugspitzbahn station in Garmisch, right next to the main train station. Buy a round-trip ticket there or online.
Ride the historic cogwheel train up through Grainau and Eibsee, then through a 4.5 km tunnel to the Zugspitzplatt glacier plateau at 2,600 m.
Play on the plateau: sled, walk to Maria Heimsuchung (Germany’s highest chapel), and grab lunch at Restaurant Sonnalpin.
Take the short Gletscherbahn cable car up to the summit station and walk out to the golden cross.
Ride the Seilbahn Zugspitze cable car down to Lake Eibsee. It drops nearly 2,000 meters and the views are unreal.
Catch the cogwheel train from Eibsee back to Garmisch.

Plan on 3–4 hours minimum, longer if you sled or linger over lunch. Go early, and check the webcams and current winter prices on zugspitze.de before you buy. It can be cloudy so if the view is important, be sure to check the web cams.

Sledding: You can rent bob sleds and wooden sleds at the hut on the Sonnalpin sundeck. The family run is gentle; the glacier runs higher up are about 500 meters each and a lot more fun. Tubes aren’t allowed.

Prefer a guide? If you’d rather not deal with tickets and timetables, this private day tour of Garmisch and the Zugspitze handles the logistics for you.

Tips: It can be 15–20°C colder at the top than in town, and windy. Wear real layers, sunglasses, and sunscreen; the glare off the glacier is intense.

3. Go winter hiking or snowshoeing

Garmisch has more than 110 km of cleared, signed winter hiking trails, so you can walk out your door and be in a snow globe within minutes. A few we loved:

Riessersee: An easy, mostly flat walk from town to a small lake ringed by forest. Pair it with a stop at the bobsled museum nearby or keep going to the Aule-Alm hut.
Eibsee loop: See below; it deserves its own section
Eckbauer: Ride the Eckbauer cable car up for snowy views and a hearty lunch at the mountain inn, then walk or sled back down.

Snowshoeing: You don’t need experience or much gear. Rental shops in town carry snowshoes in every size, and the tourist office lists guided snowshoe hikes once there’s enough snow. A guide is worth it if you want to get off the main paths safely.

Tip: Wear appropriate shoes as paths can be slick.

4. Walk the loop around Lake Eibsee

Eibsee sits right at the foot of the Zugspitze, and even in January the water near the shore is so clear it looks green-glass. The loop trail is about 7 km, mostly flat, and takes 2–2.5 hours at an easy pace with photo stops. The little islands and the Zugspitze reflected in the lake are the money shots.

Getting there: Take the bus or the cogwheel train to the Eibsee stop. It pairs perfectly with a Zugspitze day, since the summit cable car comes down right here.

Warm up after: Grab a hot chocolate or a glass of Glühwein on the terrace or in the lounge at the Eibsee Hotel. We ended up staying an hour.

5. Stroll through historic Partenkirchen

Garmisch and Partenkirchen were two separate towns until they merged for the 1936 Winter Olympics, and Partenkirchen kept more of its old-village feel. Ludwigstraße is the heart of it: cobblestones, Lüftlmalerei (the painted facades showing saints, hunting scenes, and village life), and cozy cafés.

This was our slow day. We wandered, had a long lunch of Bavarian comfort food, and shopped for local crafts like carved wood, Loden wool, and gingerbread. Go in the late afternoon if you can, when the shop windows light up and the painted houses glow against the snow.

6. Visit the Olympic Ski Stadium

The stadium was built for the 1936 Winter Olympics, and its huge modern ski jump is the town’s landmark. Every New Year’s Day it hosts a leg of the Four Hills ski-jumping tournament, and in winter you can often watch jumpers training.

It’s also the starting point for the Partnach Gorge walk, so combine the two: watch a few jumps, then head up the valley to the gorge.

When you’re done, grab something to eat and a German beer at Olympiahaus next to the stadium.

7. Take a day trip to Mittenwald

If Partenkirchen charms you, Mittenwald will finish the job. It’s a small Alpine town under the Karwendel mountains, with nearly every house on the main street covered in painted frescoes. It’s been a violin-making center since the 1600s, and there’s still a violin-making school in town.

Getting there: Direct regional trains leave Garmisch about once an hour, and the ride takes roughly 20 minutes. Easy half-day trip.

What to do: Stroll Obermarkt and Im Gries (the prettiest old street), pop into the Geigenbaumuseum to see centuries of Mittenwald violins and a recreated workshop, then find a café for coffee and cake. The museum is closed on Mondays and keeps shorter winter hours, so check before you go.

8. Thaw out at a spa or pool

After a few cold days, the whole group voted for an afternoon in warm water. We used our hotel spa, but if that’s not an option, here are some other spots in town:

Zugspitzbad Grainau: A small, year-round leisure pool with an indoor pool, sauna area, and mountain views, a short bus or train ride from Garmisch. Tickets are inexpensive, and some local guest cards include a few free hours a day.
Alpspitz-Wellenbad (Garmisch): Right in town near the ice stadium, with a wave pool, slides, an outdoor hot tub, and a big rooftop sauna area. It closed for a major renovation, so confirm it’s reopened before you plan around it.

If you’re staying in Garmisch or Grainau, ask your hotel for the local guest card. It often covers buses and discounts on pools and attractions.

Before you go

Pack for ice, not just cold. Snow boots make a big difference when you’re walking around the gorge or other winter wonderlands. I got a cheap pair on Amazon years ago. These are similar.
Skip the car. Trains and buses connect Garmisch, Grainau, Eibsee, and Mittenwald, and parking at the popular spots fills up fast.
Watch the weather and webcams. Save the Zugspitze for your clearest day, and keep the spa and Partenkirchen for grey ones.
Check what’s open that morning. Gorges, trails, and cable cars can close for snow or wind.

Garmisch in winter turned out to be one of our favorite group trips, skiers and non-skiers alike. If you go, I’d love to hear which of these you pick first.