The most famous resort town here is, of course, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which hosted the 1936 Olympic Games and is popular with the international set.

BBC: Getting fresh in Germany: Cycling, hiking and skiing

Going into the final event, Vonn led the standings with 340 points despite missing the preceding races at Meribel and Garmisch, with Maze right behind her.

CNN: Injured Vonn handed downhill title as fog denies Maze

Meanwhile, Austria's Marcel Hirscher increased his advantage in the battle for the men's overall World Cup title with second place in the giant slalom at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany.

CNN: Mighty Maze lands Crystal Globe after Meribel victory

But 2011 saw Ligety claim his first world title, winning the giant slalom at Garmisch and then going on to clinch his third World Cup crown in his favored discipline.

CNN: Ted 'Shred' Ligety: Skiing's winning machine

Maze heads both categories ahead of the resumption of the series in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen next weekend, and looks destined to capture the title from U.S. star Lindsey Vonn.

CNN: Worley upstages world champion Maze in giant slalom

Zugspitze is reached on the rack railway from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

BBC: Five European winter boltholes

At first, the Winter Games only featured the more established sport of Nordic skiing, but the growing love of downhill skiing resulted in the inclusion of Alpine skiing in the 1936 Winter Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

BBC: Where did skiing come from?