With neighbors including Austria, Switzerland and France, it isn’t so surprising that many overlook Germany as an excellent backcountry skiing spot.

However, the south of Germany, especially, is full of excellent opportunities. The small valley of Ehrwald is one of the country’s best kept secrets. There are tons of excellent backcountry skiing opportunities in this out of the way valley, including Germany’s tallest peak, Zugspitze.

Skiing in the Bavarian Alps also puts you in close proximity to Austria and many of the best skiing spots in gErmany’s southern neighbor as well. Many people head to Munich and start with some skiing in Bavaria before making their way into Austria.

Meanwhile, arriving in Stuttgart is an excellent starting point for a backcountry expedition into the Black Forest. While not as mountainous as Bavaria, the woodlands of the Black Forest and Rhine River valley make for scenic and exciting backcountry treks.