Oberstdorf is Germany's southernmost municipality, a compact alpine town in the Allgäu Alps where three valleys converge at the Austrian border. It has a pedestrianised centre, independent shops, traditional Bavarian restaurants, and a skiing history that runs deep: it hosted the first Nordic World Ski Championships in 1953 and remains a regular stop on the Four Hills Tournament ski jumping calendar. The town sits at 815m with the mountains rising steeply on three sides, and the overall atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and rooted in a community that lives here year-round.

Skiing here spreads across three mountains, each with its own character. Nebelhorn reaches 2,224m with a 1,396m vertical drop and Germany's longest run at 7.5km, offering steep, snow-sure terrain above the treeline. Fellhorn/Kanzelwand crosses the border into Austria's Kleinwalsertal with wide, flowing runs through open alpine meadows. Söllereck, known locally as the "Adventure Mountain," is a gentler, family-friendly area with well-groomed blues and a beginner zone right from the gondola. Combined, the Oberstdorf-Kleinwalsertal pass covers around 130km of pistes served by over 40 lifts, and a ski bus network connects everything. The season runs from late November through to early May on the higher slopes.

Away from the slopes, Oberstdorf has depth as a winter holiday destination. Breitachklamm, one of Germany's deepest gorges, is accessible on foot and makes a spectacular rest-day excursion. Over 75km of groomed cross-country trails wind through the valleys, winter hiking covers 130km of marked paths, and the ski jumping arena is worth visiting(even as a spectator). Oberstdorf Therme adds thermal pools, saunas, and a wave pool for unwinding after a day on the mountain. Its Bavarian dining scene runs from cosy Gasthöfe to refined restaurants, and the pedestrianised centre has a friendly, lively atmosphere that carries into evenings.

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