Made for winter walking

BERLIN — A new cable car began service at Germany’s highest peak in late December.

The cable car to the Zugspitze mountain is being billed as a worldrecord-breaking work of German engineering, featuring the biggest altitude difference between the base and summit station, and the greatest distance between the summit and the only support pillar.

The $59-million installation replaces a cable car from 1963 that could take 240 tourists an hour to the 9,718-foot Alpine peak. The new cable car can manage more than twice as many passengers.

Munich’s Archbishop Cardinal Reinhard Marx and the Protestant Bishop for Munich and Upper Bavaria, Susanne BreitKessler, blessed the cable car before its first official trip.

Winter hiking and snowshoeing can be a lot of fun — if you keep your feet dry. Once your feet get wet, it’s game over.

Choosing a waterproof hiking boot will help you enjoy time outside, and these boots from Keen offer great comfort and performance right out of the box.

The Terradora Waterproof Mid boots are designed specifically for women, with a narrower fit through the heel and a roomier toe-box than unisex shoes. (Men can check out the Targhee for a boot with similar functions.) They’re comfortable enough to wear while exploring around town, yet they’re technical enough boots to provide warmth and comfort in the snow.

While waterproof, the mesh upper is built with a breathable membrane to ensure that your feet don’t get clammy like they do in some other waterproof shoes. The low collar height allows for easy movement, and there is plenty of cushioning to absorb any bumps on the trail.

They’re an excellent, comfortable option for strapping onto a pair of snowshoes, or just sightseeing on a snowy day.

$140,