Brienzer Rothorn (Sörenberg): skiing for (intermediate) advanced skiers

Originally, my friend and I went skiing in Sörenberg – a place we love to return to. It’s a great destination for families with children because it offers a really wide range of blue and red slopes. Wide, clear slopes, beautiful views, and the certainty that you know you’ll have a good time here. But it was Saturday. Ski schools, families, queues for the lifts, dodging little racers in vests. So my friend suggested, “How about we go to Brienzer Rothorn?” And so we went.

Sörenberg – how to get there

Sörenberg is located in the Entlebuch Biosphere Reserve in the canton of Lucerne. By car, it takes about an hour and a quarter from Bern, an hour and a half from Zurich, and an hour from Lucerne. There are several parking lots in the village, and of course, the earlier you arrive, the better, because the parking lot at the Rossweid cable car station tends to fill up first. If this is the case, you will be directed by the staff to the Sörenberg-Platz parking lot at the chairlift station. Parking costs CHF 5 per day, and you can pay via Twint. If you don’t want to ski in the main area, but only on the Brienzer Rothorn, continue along Panoramastrasse to the parking lot at Luftseilbahn Sörenberg.

If you want to use public transport, you must first take the train to Schüpfheim, then the yellow bus line 241 to the Sörenberg, Post stop. Cross the road and after about 100 meters, you will be at the lower station of the Rossweid cable car. Alternatively, continue to the Sörenberg, Rothornbahn stop.

Ski pass prices

A day ski pass costs around the same as in Switzerland – CHF 61 (+CHF 5 deposit) for adults, while children under 8 ski for free in Sörenberg. The great thing is that they also offer a 4-hour ski pass (CHF 51 for adults), which I think is enough.

I personally have a Magic Pass, so skiing here is effectively “free” for me – and that’s exactly why I like to discover other places where it’s valid.

Transfer to Brienzer Rothorn

The Brienzer Rothorn ski area is also part of the Sörenberg resort (interactive ski map here). However, not everyone goes there because it offers a completely different skiing experience than the “main” area. From the Sörenberg area, you can reach Brienzer Rothorn via a gentle blue slope. But “gentle” here also means quite flat. And that’s exactly when you feel more like you’re cross-country skiing – you really have to work hard and skate a lot, otherwise you won’t get to the lower station of the cable car to Brienzer Rothorn very elegantly.

Cable car to Brienzer Rothorn

According to the timetable, the cable car runs every 15-20 minutes. However, we had the feeling that as soon as the cabin was full, it would leave even earlier. So no long waits, just a pleasant surprise. After a roughly five-minute ride, during which you can enjoy beautiful views over the sea of fog in the nearby and distant valleys, you will arrive at Brienzer Rothorn at an altitude of 2,350 meters above sea level.

Viewing terrace

Before you head to the ski slope, I recommend a quick stop at the viewing terrace by the self-service restaurant. The views from Meiringen across Axalp to the turquoise blue Brienzersee are incredible.

Moving through the tunnel to the ski slope

And now comes the part that really surprised me. From the upper station, you have to walk through a rock tunnel. Not ski through it. Walk through it. Skis on your shoulders, poles in your hands, and about 200 meters on foot. Only then will you reach the point where the ski slopes begin.

Ski slopes on Brienzer Rothorn

Brienzer Rothorn officially offers two red slopes that take you to the chairlift. They are wide, sometimes branching (so there are actually 5 slopes there), beautifully laid out, and easy to navigate—but it’s not exactly a “family-friendly” slope.

For me, it’s ideal terrain for intermediate skiers. We really didn’t meet any families with small children here.

They even have a heart-shaped “Instagram spot” here.

And then there is one black slope that leads all the way down to the valley. We saved that one for last. I had deep respect for it. I probably wouldn’t have dared to go down that black slope on my own. There are four significant overhangs on the route, but the track is wide, so you can ski from edge to edge. Here, everyone has to dig deep. But I survived. The proof is that I am writing this article.

Refreshments

When it comes to food, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Whether in the self-service panoramic restaurant on the Brienzer Rothorn or in the Eisee mountain restaurant, which prides itself on serving nothing fried.