For 60 Years, the Armed Forces Recreation Centers in Europe have supported the European Command with Rest and Recreation locations for U.S. Service Members and their families in the Beautiful Bavarian Alps. Established in the winter of 1945-46 as an R&R center for the U.S. Occupation Forces, Edelweiss Lodge immediately initiated programs to enhance the morale of the war weary soldiers. During the winter of 45-46, with the help of 15,000 pairs of skis and 12,000 pairs of ice skates provided by the European Theater Supply and Services Division, vacationing service members got to try their winter skills on world-class facilities such as the 1936 Olympic ski run and ice stadium in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

In the early 1950's as the mission of the U.S. Forces turned from an Army of Occupation to a Cold War Army, the mission of the Armed Forces Recreation Center changed accordingly. Privately owned hotels requisitioned to meet the temporary mission of the occupation Army were returned to their owners and former military troop billets, hospitals, guest houses and officers clubs were renovated to support the long term recreation requirements of the cold war service members and their families. Edelweiss Lodge developed into a "vacation land" resort, where for an affordable price service members and their families could partake in activities such as horseback riding, tennis, skiing, golfing, sledding, skeet shooting, fishing, hunting, camping, sailing, swimming, water skiing, bowling, ice skating, tours and many more under the world class beauty of the European Alps.

The end of the cold war mission necessitated changes in AFRC. After 50 years of service, AFRC facilities in Berchtesgarden closed on 30 September 1995. In the spring of 2000, the US Army senior leadership and congress approved plans to consolidate AFRC-Europe and construct a modern resort hotel in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort will continue the long AFRC Europe tradition of providing recreation, sports, tours and lodging for our overseas American Service Members and their families.