The most traditionally original of all Bavarian winter sports has to be ice stock sport. Here in Munich, near Nymphenburg Palace, the activity is passionately enjoyed by many Munich inhabitants in a royal setting on the famous 500 meter long palace canal between the two palace approaches. The necessary equipment – the ice stock and puck – is either brought along or can easily be rented at the canal. The sport has been a popular wintry pastime for around 500 years now: on around 40 lanes, flanked by people strolling the two palace approaches and with a stunning view of the palace, this has become, since that time, a real part of typical Munich life on sunny winter days. Mulled wine, hot chocolate, hot punch and more are available at small snack stands – there is no lack of a fun sports atmosphere here and a feeling of wellbeing in a romantic setting. And the area also has its share of Bavarian ‘Gemütlichkeit’ and eateries. Loadbearing ice is guaranteed. Everyday, the responsible ‘ice measurers’ test the strength of the ice: without their OK, the canal is offlimits.

Nymphenburg Palace canal:
A manmade waterway at the southwest end of the castle that is fed by the waters of the small Würm River. After extending to the Palace park, the canal feeds into the entire water system of the park including the cascade, the small and large lakes, then divides into two arms that flow under the left and right side tract of the castle, coming together again in front of the Palace in a large pond with a fountain, which then flows along the already-mentioned 500 meters and ends at the Hubertus fountain basin.