Winter Holiday in the Bavarian Forest with Family
Winter holiday in the Bavarian Forest with family: skiing, sledding, snow hiking. Plus pool and all-inclusive at the hotel.
Why the Bavarian Forest is a great idea in winter
Snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, air so cold and clear that the kids' cheeks turn red right away. The Bavarian Forest is one of the most snow-reliable low mountain ranges in Germany. From December to early March, the higher elevations almost always have snow. And even in Waldmünchen at 510 metres, there is usually enough for sledding, building snowmen and cross-country skiing.
The best part: you don't have to drive to Tyrol to experience a real winter holiday with the family. Here you have ski areas for beginners right on your doorstep, larger areas for a day trip and, after a day outside, a warm pool, sauna and an all-inclusive dinner. No stress, no queues, no doing the maths.
If you are looking for more ideas for the region, you'll find everything in our Bavarian Forest Guide.
Three ski areas, three options
Depending on how confident your kids are on skis, you have three good options from Waldmünchen.
Althütte: 3 km away, perfect for getting started
The small Althütte ski area is practically around the corner. You can be there by car in five minutes. The slope is manageable and not too steep. Just right when your kids are standing on skis for the first time or are just starting to learn. No long drive, no crowding at the lift. Off in the morning, back to the hotel at lunchtime, into the pool in the afternoon. That's what a relaxed ski day with small children looks like.
Hohenbogen: 30 km, a solid family ski area
Hohenbogen near Neukirchen b. Hl. Blut offers more variety. Several runs, a ski school and a natural toboggan run. Well suited if the kids already have some experience and want more than one slope. The drive takes about 30 minutes. Plan a whole day, it's worth it.
Großer Arber: 75 km, the big experience
At 1,456 metres, the Arber is the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest and the largest ski area in the region. Especially good for families: the ArBär children's area. A dedicated zone just for kids with a magic carpet, child-friendly slopes and supervision by the ski school. Even the youngest can safely make their first turns here. The drive takes a good hour, but if you want one or two days of proper skiing fun, there's no way around the Arber.
Sledding: The classic for all ages
Not everyone wants to ski. That's fine. Sledding works just as well with two-year-olds as with teenagers. Around Waldmünchen there are several slopes that are suitable for sledding. At Hohenbogen there is also a groomed natural toboggan run with a decent length.
Our tip: pack two sleds if you have them. Otherwise there are rental options on site. And bring spare gloves. Wet gloves and cold kids' hands are the fastest route to a bad mood.
Cross-country skiing right from Waldmünchen
When there is enough snow, cross-country trails start directly from Waldmünchen. That means no car needed in the morning. Strap on your skis and off you go. The trails lead through snow-covered forests and across open fields. There are flat loops for beginners and longer routes towards Perlsee and beyond for the more experienced.
Cross-country skiing is one of the best winter activities with kids from age six. No waiting times, no lift pass, no crowding. Just snow, silence and movement.
Snow hiking: Pure nature
Sometimes it's enough to simply set off. There are plenty of winter hiking trails around Waldmünchen. The path to Perlsee (1 km) is also passable in winter and looks especially beautiful with snow and ice. For longer tours, the forest path towards Herzogau is a good choice, or you can hike up the Cerkov (Schwarzkopf) just behind the Czech border.
With small children, two to three kilometres are enough. More important than the distance is that something happens along the way: looking for animal tracks, throwing snowballs, stopping at a stream. Those are the moments kids remember.
After a day outside: pool, sauna and all-inclusive
This is where the winter holiday really comes together. You come in, the kids have red noses and wet clothes, and then it's straight into the warm pool. The indoor pool (10x4 m) has pleasant water temperatures, and the whirlpool warms you down to your bones.
From 3 pm the sauna area is open. A Finnish sauna and steam bath for anyone who wants to wind down comfortably. While the kids play in the Sonnenwolfi children's club (supervised care for ages 3 to 12), you can sweat in peace.
All-inclusive makes the difference
After a day in the snow, everyone is hungry. Properly hungry. Good thing you don't have to worry about a thing. The dinner buffet is ready, drinks are included. No searching for a restaurant, no waiting for the bill. The kids grab cocoa and dessert, you sit there with a glass of wine and look back on the day.
The same goes for the whole day: breakfast buffet, lunch, cake and ice cream in the afternoon, the full buffet in the evening. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and wine are included throughout the day. Especially valuable in winter, because after every activity you can come back to the hotel and refuel without having to plan extra.
The perfect winter day: an example
This is what your day could look like:
8:00 Breakfast buffet. Everyone eats their fill, the thermos flasks are filled.
9:30 Off to the Althütte ski area (3 km, 5 minutes). The kids make their first turns, you grab a coffee at the hut.
12:00 Back at the hotel. Lunch, a short break, drying clothes.
14:00 Snow hike to Perlsee. A loop around the lake, throwing snowballs, watching ducks, back.
15:30 Cake and ice cream for the kids. They head off to the children's club afterwards. You head to the pool and sauna.
17:30 Everyone back together. Quick stop in the room, change.
18:00 Dinner buffet. The kids tell you about the children's club, you tell them about the sauna. Everyone is happy.
20:00 Kids to bed. You sit on the balcony (yes, even in winter with a warm blanket) or get cosy in the room.
That's not an exception. That's every day.
Practical tips for your winter holiday
A few things that will make your winter holiday easier:
- Parking at the hotel is free. No searching, no paying.
- Drying room for ski boots and wet clothing. Everything dry every morning.
- Two pairs of gloves per child. Seriously. One pair will get wet, then you'll need the second.
- Don't forget sunscreen. Even in winter. Snow reflects, and kids' faces burn faster than you think.
- Flexible daily planning. Don't plan three activities a day. One big thing (skiing or sledding) and one small thing (a walk or the pool) is enough. In between: enjoy the hotel.
Keep reading
Your winter holiday is waiting
Snow on the rooftops, kids laughing on the slopes, and a warm, well-fed evening at the hotel. A winter holiday in the Bavarian Forest with the family doesn't have to be complicated. Three ski areas nearby, sled hills on your doorstep, cross-country trails from Waldmünchen and a warm pool plus all-inclusive catering after every outdoor day. That's a winter holiday the way it should be. Book your winter holiday now and experience the Bavarian Forest in the snow.