Ski Trip to the Bavarian Alps

This past weekend Jon and I attended the annual squadron ski trip to Garmisch, Germany. It was a true winter wonderland, Bavarian style, and we enjoyed two fantastic days of skiing on the tallest mountain in Germany - the Zugspitze.

We had a breath-taking view of the Alps from the mountain-top and although it had been five years since I had last skied, I picked it up in no time after a few runs.


The first day of skiing, we were accompanied by our friends, Jose and Ray. Jon was adventuresome as ever on skies, and we had a lot of fun taking videos of each other skiing down the mountain (see side bar to right for video clips).

The second day of skiing, Jon and I wanted to be the first on the mountain-top and we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise. For our mid-day break, we took the gondola to the tip-top of the mountain that provides an endless view of snow-peaked mountains in the distance. It was absolutely breath-taking. This area also serves as a border crossing with Austria, and half of the facility is located on the Austrian side. So, it was only fitting to have a morning beer in Germany and lunch in Austria.

After our second day, we went to a Bavarian restaurant in downtown Garmisch for dinner where Jon and his friend, Jason, enjoyed a 3-liter beer.

The dinner was complete with Bavarian sausages, pork, sauerkraut and even authentic dancing. It was the perfect ending for our fantastic weekend!

Jon and me posing in front of the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort where we stayed for the weekend. It was an awesome hotel with several restaurants, a huge fireplace in the lobby and a pool and enormous hot tub outside. We enjoyed simply hanging around the hot tub and hotel most nights and relaxing after our full days of skiing.

On our way back to Wiesbaden on our final day, we decided to take a detour to visit the most toured spot in Germany - King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein castle.

Built from 1869 - 1886, it is the epitome of a fairy-tale castle, and is actually the building that inspired Walt Disney for the model of the castle today at Disney World.

The view out the window of the throne room was incredible with the snow-covered Alps in the distance.

After touring the castle, we took a hike around the hillside to a bridge that provided a fantastic viewpoint of the entire castle. Another Germany tourist destination must to knock off our list.

Skiing, hot-tubbing, castle touring - it's just another weekend in the lives of the Captain and Frau Clough. This weekend? We're back on the road again (well, train this time) tomorrow morning to Munich to meet up with Jon's cousins, Jim and April Vaughan who will be there for a trade show. So, details soon of another Hofbrau House adventure. Have a fantastic weekend!