There is something magical about sunrises and delights the hearts of every photographer and nature lover. Holidaymakers experience most sunrises by the sea, but it is quite rare in the mountains, as you usually have to climb the summit on foot in the dark beforehand, or spend a night in the mountains. Here, the Zugspitze offers something for sunrise fans, without any effort or effort.

6:30 a.m.: Getting up at 5:30 a.m. on a cold winter Saturday morning and leaving your warm bed is really not a nice thing. But in view of the upcoming experience, going to the bathroom is easier than usual. A quick look at the night sky from the balcony may not reveal much in the dark, but the starry sky and the dark outlines of the Zugspitze suggest that the conditions for a gigantic sunrise are quite good today. Quickly put on your ski clothes, skis and ski boots and of course the camera in the car and off you go to the Zugspitze gondola station. It's amazing how many cars are already heading towards the Zugspitze car park at this time of day. In front of me, a caravan of lights runs upwards along the curves.

06:40 o'clock: The parking lot of the Zugspitze gondola is already well occupied, but with the help of the parking signs, there is still a free parking space. Quickly get your skis, ski boots and camera out of the car and head for the entrance. There is already a queue at the ticket office for the sunrise trip. Even a first gondola is already on its way to the summit. The booking confirmation is redeemed for a bracelet, which you can use to come to the panoramic restaurant for breakfast later.

07:00 o'clock: The gondola for the Zugspitze summit starts punctually at 07:00. The gondola is full, as is the case every other morning around 8:30am, when skiers, snowboarders and other visitors normally want to reach the summit early. Today, however, you see more and more guests with camera stands and thick photo bags instead of with skis, snowboards and ski boot bags. On the way up, we already see the first dawn in the distance.

07:20 o'clock: At the summit station, employees direct the flow of visitors up to the summit. Those who have brought their winter sports equipment can store it on the attached wall brackets. Just climb two more floors on foot or take the lift up and then we're on the viewing terrace. At this time and without the sun, it is quite cold up here, and today we're even lucky because the temperatures for today are only slightly below 0°C. All photographers are now lining up along the balustrade and looking east, where the sky is gradually changing color. The view is fantastic. The morning is wonderfully clear and the snow-capped peaks are easy to see.

07:43 o'clock: The sun could appear so slowly, because even with ski clothes, the cold is still easily felt. Others around me must be really tough, because standing out here on a platform with a cold wind wearing jeans can't be pleasant. So it's no wonder that people around me step from one foot to the other and rub their hands together. But then the time has finally come. The sun slowly rises above the summit and lets its rays shine over to us. What a magical sight!

8:00 AM: As quickly as the sun rose, people disappeared from the plateau as quickly. Everyone now just wants to warm up and enjoy breakfast in the Panorama 2.962 restaurant. It goes down one floor again and into the warm restaurant, where tables have already been set await the sunrise worshippers. The buffet selection is huge, whether Bavarian with white sausage and pretzels as well as obatzer or scrambled eggs, fried eggs, bacon and sausages. Muesli, fruit, quark and yoghurt are available, as are fresh rolls with cheese and cold sausage. In addition, sweet dishes with waffles or Nutella pizza. I wish my stomach was bigger. The coffee scares away the last night's sleep and after the stomach is full, the second part of the day can now start: fun in the snow on the slopes!

8:40 AM: The first winter sports enthusiasts, who have now also taken the first official gondola to the Zugspitze, head down to the Zugspitzplatt. Quickly get another locker where I can store the camera and my winter shoes and then I can hit the slopes. The sun that is now shining from the sky is a real delight and warms me pleasantly as I hit the slopes and descend my turns. It will be a perfect day on the Zugspitze!

Tips & info:

• Sunrise trips on the German Zugspitze side normally only take place during the winter season and only on Saturdays from the beginning of January to the first weekend in February, as the sun rises earlier and earlier from then on. The Zugspitze gondola will then depart at 07:00 and 07:10.
• The appointments are highly sought after, so anyone interested should book well in advance. The price includes the ascent and descent as well as a hearty breakfast at the Panorama 2962 restaurant. The ski lifts on the Zugspitzplatt are of course included in the price.
• While sunrise times on the German side are limited to winter, the Tiroler Zugspitze Railway Sunrise trips in autumn. From the beginning of September to the end of October. An early reservation is also required here.

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