Experience the Hornschlitten race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: a 1 km Epiphany dash up to 100 km/h, with tickets, safety, and a lively town-wide tradition.
Every year on January 6, as Europe celebrates Epiphany, a very different festivity unfolds in the Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen: a race on old wooden sleds with horned fronts, known locally as Hornschlitten. Teams rocket down the mountain at breakneck speeds—sometimes up to 100 kilometers per hour—while crowds watch with a mix of awe and nerves. It isn’t a mere spectacle, but a tradition that has endured for more than half a century.
The first race took place on January 6, 1970. It started as a joke among friends: they descended the mountain by torchlight, a shot from a balcony signaled the start, and the time was kept on ordinary wristwatches. Only seven sleds took part.
Since then, the event has grown up. Today it’s an official competition that draws dozens of teams and thousands of spectators every year. In 2024, 80 teams raced; in 2025, organizers expect around 90. Some even come from Switzerland.
The race runs from Partnachalm to the Olympic Ski Stadium. The course is about one kilometer long with a 160-meter drop. Its most notorious section is called Eri-Stich—a sharp turn where the sleds pick up especially high speed and spills are common.
Snow is a must, yet recent winters haven’t always cooperated. In 2024, organizers spread artificial snow on the track—1,500 cubic meters, roughly 80 truckloads. Sometimes the distance is shortened because of the weather.
These sleds are no toys. They’re large and heavy, once used in the mountains to haul firewood. Today, crews of two or three steer them. Helmets and sturdy footwear are mandatory. Even with protection, injuries happen; in 2024 there were fractures.
If a team breaks the rules—knocking over a flag or leaving the track—it receives time penalties. And if two teams post the same time, the one that started earlier takes the lead.
Spectators can watch the race for 10 euros, and admission is free for children under 12. After the competition, the Hornschlitten-Ball takes over—a lively evening with music, dancing, prizes, and plenty of cheer for racers and guests alike.
It’s more than a contest; it’s a town-wide celebration—loud, joyful, and hard to forget. The energy is contagious, the kind that pulls even first-time visitors into the moment.
In recent years, hosting the race has become tougher—there’s less snow, and costs keep rising. But locals aren’t giving in. They insist the tradition matters too much to abandon. As long as the sleds keep flying down the mountain, the Hornschlittenrennen will endure.
If you ever find yourself in Garmisch in early January, don’t skip it. Even if you’ve never taken a downhill ride, this race will leave you with lasting, vivid memories.
