Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Following Zugspitze, Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG (BZB) is kicking off the 2025/2026 winter season with the first slopes in the Garmisch-Classic ski area.

On opening day, Saturday, December 13, the Kreuzeckbahn cable car and Hexenkessel lift, as well as the Hausbergbahn cable car and the lifts around Kreuzwankl and Kinderland, will be operational. The Alpspitz area will remain closed for the time being. Two valley runs will also be open: the Kochelberg run on Hausberg and the Olympia run on Kreuzeck.

The new Kreuzwankl: opening ceremony and children's ski day

The new Kreuzwankl ski lift will go into operation at the start of the 2025/2026 winter season at Garmisch-Classic. The facility was completely renovated during the 2025 summer season. “We did it!” says Anton Huber, CEO of BZB, happily. “We are absolutely on schedule and within budget.” Extensive demolition and civil engineering work has been carried out since the end of last winter season. Gradually, support foundations, station buildings, and finally the chairs were added. “The approval process alone took three years,” says Karl Dirnhofer, technical director of BZB. “The nature conservation approvals took significantly longer than the technical implementation of the project.”

To welcome the new Kreuzwankl, BZB has invited annual pass and season pass holders from the region to the opening celebrations to take their first ride on the new lift. In addition, a children's ski day will be held in the area for the first time shortly before the start of the winter season. Here, the youngest guests can let off steam and test the lift. “We have placed great emphasis on improving comfort for children in particular and ensuring that the situation in the boarding area runs smoothly,” says Head of Technology Karl Dirnhofer.

New Kreuzwankl with improved comfort

The new lift system from Doppelmayr is an 8-seater chairlift. The slower circulation speed at the valley station will make boarding more comfortable for guests in future. In addition, the boarding area is height-adjustable, making boarding easier and more comfortable, especially for ski schools and ski courses, beginners, and children. 

Wankbahn cable car opens during the Christmas holidays

The Wankbahn cable car, including the Sonnenalm mountain restaurant and winter hiking and tobogganing facilities, will be open during the Christmas holidays from December 19, 2025, to January 6, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.