First Phrases

Ski and mountain trip · Deutsch

Ski and mountain trip phrases in German: 15 phrases

Buy a lift pass, rent skis and boots in your size, ask which pistes are easy, check the weather and avalanche danger, order hot food at a mountain hut, call mountain rescue, ask when the cable car runs and book a ski lesson. Short, natural phrases for a ski or mountain trip.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie" with ticket sellers, rental staff and instructors. These phrases work in Austria, Germany and German-speaking Switzerland. A lift pass is a "Skipass" (also "Liftkarte" or "Tageskarte"), ski boots "Skischuhe", a chairlift "Sessellift", a cable car "Seilbahn", mountain rescue "Bergrettung" (Austria) or "Bergwacht" (Germany). Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Ich hätte gern einen Tagesskipass, bitte.
    Say it like: ikh HET-teh gairn Y-nen TAH-ges-SHEE-pas, BIT-teh
    I'd like a one-day lift pass, please.
    Register: Also "eine Tageskarte" (a day ticket).
  2. 02Neutral
    Was kostet ein Skipass für drei Tage?
    Say it like: vas KOS-tet yn SHEE-pas fuer dry TAH-geh
    How much is a three-day pass?
    Register: Change "drei" for other lengths.
  3. 03Polite
    Ich möchte Ski und Skischuhe leihen.
    Say it like: ikh MURKH-teh shee oont SHEE-shoo-eh LY-en
    I'd like to rent skis and ski boots.
    Register: "Mieten" also works; the shop is the "Skiverleih". Add "und einen Helm".
  4. 04Neutral
    Ich habe Schuhgröße zweiundvierzig.
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh SHOO-grur-seh TSVY-oont-feer-tsikh
    My shoe size is 42.
    Register: European size. They may ask your height ("Körpergröße") and weight ("Gewicht").
  5. 05Neutral
    Welche Piste ist für Anfänger geeignet?
    Say it like: VEL-kheh PIS-teh ist fuer AN-feng-er geh-AYG-net
    Which piste is good for beginners?
    Register: Pistes are usually marked "blau" (easy), "rot" (medium), "schwarz" (difficult).
  6. 06Neutral
    Ist diese Piste schwer?
    Say it like: ist DEE-zeh PIS-teh shvair
    Is this piste difficult?
    Register: Also "Ist die Piste steil?" (is it steep?).
  7. 07Neutral
    Welche Pisten sind heute offen?
    Say it like: VEL-kheh PIS-ten zint HOY-teh OF-fen
    Which pistes are open today?
    Register: Also "Welche Lifte laufen?" (which lifts are running?).
  8. 08Neutral
    Wie wird das Wetter morgen?
    Say it like: vee virt dahs VET-ter MOR-gen
    What will the weather be like tomorrow?
    Register: Add "oben am Berg" (up on the mountain).
  9. 09Neutral
    Welche Lawinenwarnstufe gilt heute?
    Say it like: VEL-kheh lah-VEE-nen-VARN-shtoo-feh gilt HOY-teh
    What is the avalanche danger level today?
    Register: Levels: 1 gering, 2 mäßig, 3 erheblich, 4 groß, 5 sehr groß.
  10. 10Neutral
    Gibt es bei Ihnen warmes Essen?
    Say it like: gipt es by EE-nen VAR-mes ES-sen
    Do you serve hot food?
    Register: At a "Hütte" (mountain hut). Also "Haben Sie noch Küche?" (is the kitchen still open?).
  11. 11Polite
    Eine Suppe und eine heiße Schokolade, bitte.
    Say it like: Y-neh ZOOP-peh oont Y-neh HY-seh shoh-koh-LAH-deh, BIT-teh
    A soup and a hot chocolate, please.
    Register: Add "Was gibt es als Tagesgericht?" (what is the dish of the day?).
  12. 12Polite
    Rufen Sie bitte die Bergrettung. Hier ist jemand verletzt.
    Say it like: ROO-fen zee BIT-teh dee BERK-ret-toong. heer ist YAY-mant fer-LETST
    Please call the mountain rescue. Someone is injured here.
    Register: Austria: 140 (alpine emergency) or 112; Germany: 112 (Bergwacht).
  13. 13Neutral
    Wann fährt die letzte Bahn ins Tal?
    Say it like: van fairt dee LETS-teh bahn ins tahl
    When does the last cable car go down to the valley?
    Register: "Bahn" = lift or cable car. Also "Talfahrt" (the ride down).
  14. 14Neutral
    Wann fährt die erste Bahn hinauf?
    Say it like: van fairt dee AIR-steh bahn hin-OWF
    When does the first cable car go up?
    Register: "Bergfahrt" = the ride up.
  15. 15Polite
    Ich möchte einen Skikurs für Anfänger buchen.
    Say it like: ikh MURKH-teh Y-nen SHEE-koors fuer AN-feng-er BOO-khen
    I'd like to book a ski lesson for beginners.
    Register: "Skischule" = ski school, "Privatstunde" = private lesson.

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a lift pass in German?

Say: "Ich hätte gern einen Tagesskipass, bitte." (I'd like a one-day lift pass, please.)

Should I use informal or formal German at a ski resort?

Use "Sie" with ticket sellers, rental staff and instructors. These phrases work in Austria, Germany and German-speaking Switzerland. A lift pass is a "Skipass" (also "Liftkarte" or "Tageskarte"), ski boots "Skischuhe", a chairlift "Sessellift", a cable car "Seilbahn", mountain rescue "Bergrettung" (Austria) or "Bergwacht" (Germany). Phrases only: this card gives no safety or medical advice.

How do I ask about the avalanche danger in German?

Say: "Welche Lawinenwarnstufe gilt heute?" (What is the avalanche danger level today?)

How do I call for help on the piste in German?

Say: "Rufen Sie bitte die Bergrettung. Hier ist jemand verletzt." (Please call the mountain rescue. Someone is injured here.)

Ski trip phrases in another language

Español Português Français Deutsch Italiano Nederlands Svenska

German, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

All survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

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