Brauneck - Lenggries - Overview

Located between 700 and 1,712 metres, the pistes in the Brauneck ski area are relatively long – at least by German standards. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or expert skier, the area’s 34 kilometres of runs mean fun is guaranteed. There are even a few skiing legends who began their careers at Brauneck! Brauneck is one of Germany’s ten largest ski areas. It is located in the Isarwinkel region, a beautiful corner of Bavaria’s alpine foothills. It is a magnet for locals and holidaymakers, many of whom return year after year to enjoy its wonderful pistes, beautiful scenery and Bavarian hospitality. The ski area is named after the mountain of the same name, which rises 1,555 metres above the valley. The villages of Lenggries and Wegscheid are just 60 kilometres from Munich, so it is a popular destination for day and weekend skiers. The season usually runs from early December to early April. Every year Lenggries also hosts FIS races on the World Cup slope. Hungry skiers and snowboarders are spoilt for choice when it comes to traditional mountain restaurants.

Brauneck has a wide variety of slopes to suit all abilities. Of the 34 kilometres of pistes, the majority (22 kilometres) are classified red, while advanced skiers can test their skills over 4.5 kilometres of black runs. The easy blue slopes are ideal for beginners and people who are returning to skiing after a break. 18 lifts (including gondolas, chair lifts and drag lifts) convey skiers quickly and easily up to the slopes. Beginners should head for the Streidlhang piste in Lenggries or the Jauden and Draxl slopes in Wegscheid. If you’re still a little unsteady on your skis, these easy, flat pistes are perfect for practising your first turns and getting used to the terrain. This is where ski racers Martina Ertl and Hilde Gerg began their careers. They and other top skiers can regularly be spotted swooping down the mountain. At the KinderSkiZirkus Villa Lustig on the Jaudenhang and the KinderSchneeLand on the Draxlhang specially trained instructors are on hand to make learning fun for the youngest skiers and boarders. Going back up the hill is easy thanks to the special rope tows and magic carpets.

Once the children have learnt the basics, piste number 3 is ideal for families who want to ski together. The area’s longest run starts at the top station of the cable car and descends all the way to Wegscheid – four kilometres of pure skiing pleasure. Once you arrive in Wegscheid, a free bus shuttles you back to Lenggries. Expert skiers who like a challenge should try the black World Cup run (number 1). The upper area of the Garland also has mogul slopes for anyone who’s looking to perfect their jump turns and pole-planting technique. There is a wide choice of red runs towards the Latschenkopf, the area’s highest peak at 1,712 metres. Take the lift up from Wegscheid then show off your skills as you follow the mountain’s natural contours down the medium-difficulty slopes. Snow conditions permitting, night skiing is available on Wednesday to Saturday, when the Streidlhang slope next to the bottom station is floodlit from 7pm to 10pm.

The Brauneck ski area is renowned for its wide variety of slopes, but also for the excellent food served up at its traditional mountain restaurants. Skiers and snowboarders have 16 huts to choose from – all perfect places to swing by, warm up and enjoy good food in traditional alpine surroundings. Local specialities and traditional cold platters are on offer, combined with typical Bavarian hospitality. The route from the Latschenkopf towards the Idealhang has a number of inviting mountain huts. A few recommendations: • The Milchhäusl is directly above the Draxlhang. It serves wonderful homemade cakes, delicious cold platters and schnapps from its own distillery and is also a popular après-ski haunt. • From its lofty perch at 1,500 metres, the Tölzer Hütte welcomes its guests with typical Bavarian hospitality. • The Kotalm serves local game dishes, delicious dumplings and South Tyrolean Schlutzkrapfen (a kind of ravioli) – all homemade, of course! • The Stie-Alm is the only hut in the Bavarian Oberland that makes its own cheese. In winter, the snow bar is an inviting place to stop for a bite or wind down after an action-packed day on the slopes. • When the weather is fine, the terrace at the Reiser Alm has two treats in store – wonderful food and stunning views over the Isarwinkel. And if you call in around 3.30 pm, you’ll catch feeding time for the local red deer – kids love it!

At Brauneck, winter sports isn’t only about skiing and snowboarding. The area has 42 km of prepared cross-country skiing trails, and fans of tobogganing can whizz down to the valley from the Milchhäusl or Reiseralm. If you’re keen on ice sports, head for the natural ice rink next to the bottom station. Brauneck also offers lots of opportunities to explore the winter landscape on snowshoes or touring skis. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, sit back and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of a horse-drawn sleigh. And if the weather takes a turn for the worse, there’s plenty to keep you amused at the Isarwelle swimming pool complex with its bubble beds, whirlpool and exciting rapids. The indoor tennis courts are also a good choice on a wet day, and climbers can practise their moves on the climbing wall in Bad Tölz.

The Brauneck ski area has always been popular with families because of its wide variety of slopes and cosy, traditional huts. Brauneck has something for everyone, from total beginners to expert skiers. By investing in snowmaking equipment and constantly upgrading its facilities, Lenggries and Wegscheid have created a contemporary ski destination that has lost none of its traditional, rustic charm. And when it comes to sunshine, Brauneck is well above the average for Germany, with 52 sunny days per season.