Resorts close to Munich

hi all,

will be flying to Munich for a short 4day ski trip mid march(17-21). we do not want to spent hours on the roads and prefer not to rent a car. can anybody suggest a resort that can be accessible by train or another public transport from Munich please?
do we have to buy train tickets in advance(how can i reach train time tables?)
is it better to rezerve the hotel now or wait and see the snow levels?
any hotels recommended?
do we have to rezerve the ski lessons already?

i know its too many questions but its not easy for a first timer to decide where is the best to go.

we are both absolute beginners and would be happy with a cosy place if we have the chance.

thanks a lot for the help

Try Garmisch Partenkirchen. It's just over an hour from Munich and the trains go hourly from the Hauptbahnhof (Main train station). You don't need to book in advance. To travel the cheapest way, buy the ticket that allows up to 5 people to travel together - I think it's called the Bayerishe Karte. It costs about 27 Euro but everyone travels for that. There are loads of good ski schools on the Zugspitze and there should be plenty of snow there (high enough altitude) throughout March. Don't know much about the hotels there, but we've stayed in a B&B called the Alpenrose (I think!) on Zugspitze Strasse. It's very clean and very welcoming and the ski bus goes from just across the road. If you'd like somewhere more rural, Mittenwald is about half an hour further on; most of the trains from Munich go to Mittenwald too. It's much smaller with mostly drag lifts but a very friendly place and great ski schools. You shouldn't need to book in advance at this time of the year for either Garmisch or Mittenwald. Hope you have a ball!

You can also reach the Grosser Arber in the Bavarian Forest from the airport, by bus/train. Plenty of snow here and it won't disappear that quickly. It is also a great place for learning to ski - not as intimidating for beginners as the big resorts. No need to book lessons or equipment although it helps to request English speaking instructors in advance. Head for the village of Bayerisch Eisenstein. There is British owned B&B and apartment accommodation here. The train ticket is called the 'Bayernticket', whichever direction you go.

Hi Bluemoon,

From Munich Airport, you can travel to Worgl in the Inn Valley, Austria. Time about 2h 15m. Cost about 28 Euros each way. Go to the travel centre at Munich Airport. Don't prebook. The 17th March is a Tuesday, so no need to book a train seat. You may have to change trains once or twice, but you will be given an itinery with your ticket, detailing platforms and times.

Come out of Worgl station, get a taxi to Niederau.

For a short stay, with great service, English owners, try Auhof.co.uk. You will be ferried to & from the slopes every day.

If you want to hire skis, click on skiset, on the skichat page. It's low cost and good service.

You are beginners, and you should know that the Wildschonau ski school is very highly rated in Austria. (nown locally as the red ski school).

Finally, I will be leaving on the 18 March, so might even see you!

Ski well.

Thanks a lot guys,

i'll start checking on the villages.

Hi Dave,

I think you are at N. at the moment. Is the snow good, finally we changed our dates for end of March.

Enjoy

dave came back Thursday i think but the snow was still good then, but i think they close for the season on 28th March. i might be wrong i returned from n on 14th and everyone was complaining that they only had a couple of weeks left with so much snow, have you thought of somewhere high up in France or are you stuck with start of travel munich?

Has anyone been to Hopfgarten Brixental? Is it good for beginners and easy access from Munich?
Any accomodation suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks

Bmoon