Join us on an exclusive journey with journalist Maurizio De Matteis from Dislivelli magazine as he documents his visit to Großer Arber, the highest peak of the Bohemian Forest. Through the lens of the upcoming BeyondSnow video narrative, follow Maurizio into the heart of this Bavarian pilot area – where authentic mountain traditions meet bold innovation. Discover how Großer Arber is redefining alpine tourism in response to a changing climate, embracing sustainability, year-round activities, and a deep connection with nature.
Großer Arber: Natural, Authentic, and Welcoming
Großer Arber, standing at 1,456 meters above sea level, is the highest mountain in the Bohemian Forest. Located in Bavaria, within the municipal boundaries of Bayerisch Eisenstein, it lies just a few kilometers from the popular tourist center of Bodenmais and not far from the Czech Republic border.
The ski area, situated on the mountain’s north-facing slopes, begins at an elevation of 1,000 meters. Thanks to its orientation, it still retains a good level of snow coverage, making it the undisputed center for winter sports in the Bavarian Forest – on both the German and Czech sides. Tourism plays a key role at Großer Arber, with 166,000 arrivals per season, 739,000 overnight stays, and an average stay of 4.46 days. The main market is Germany, with the Czech Republic showing strong growth.
The ski area offers 12 km of slopes with varying levels of difficulty, a Nordic skiing stadium named Hohenzollern, and a cross-country skiing center called Bretterschachten, featuring 114 kilometers of trails. All facilities are managed by a private operator.
Despite its favorable orientation and excellent reputation, winters at Großer Arber are becoming increasingly shorter and warmer, with ski seasons starting later and ending earlier. To ensure that winter tourism remains economically and environmentally sustainable in the near future, operators and local authorities are working together to manage visitor flow more effectively. Initiatives include optimizing parking areas, ski slopes, and lift systems; implementing public shuttle services; and expanding cultural offerings to help mitigate the impact of low-snow winters.
In recent years, Großer Arber’s facilities have diversified beyond winter activities and are now open year-round, catering not only to skiers but also to mountain bikers and hikers seeking high-altitude trails. In short, the future of this small German ski resort lies in offering authentic and innovative experiences in close contact with nature. It is transforming into a solid year-round destination that promotes sustainable activities and enhances resilience to climate change.
As highlighted in workshops conducted as part of the Beyond Snow project, increasing environmental awareness and rising costs are steering younger generations away from traditional alpine skiing – an activity that is becoming a luxury for the few and is no longer sufficient on its own to secure Großer Arber’s future.
