grassroots effort is underway to preserve alpine skiing in the car-free village of Braunwald

A grassroots effort is underway to preserve alpine skiing in the car-free village of Braunwald after the local mountain lift operator announced it would permanently cease slope operations. Leading the charge is local farmer, politician, and ski school director Reto Glarner, who has formed a coalition to purchase and operate the resort’s iconic Mattwald lift.

The decision by Braunwald GL mountain lifts to stop grooming slopes and pivot entirely toward winter hiking, sledding, and cross-country skiing sent shockwaves through the Glarus Süd community at 1,300 meters above sea level. While local business owners, including Patric Vogel of the Märchenhotel, expressed understanding of the financial pressures driving the closure, the move leaves hoteliers and tourism workers facing a starkly diminished winter pull.

Glarner, 48, who directs the local ski and snowboard school and chairs the "Braunwald Upwards" initiative, warns that abandoning downhill skiing carries far-reaching economic consequences for the entire valley. Mountain farmers heavily depend on seasonal employment as groomer drivers, lift operators, and ski instructors to supplement their off-season income. Beyond the financial impact, Glarner emphasizes that winter sports offer a rare bridge between rural agricultural life and urban visitors.

To prevent a complete shutdown, Glarner’s group has submitted a formal purchase offer to the lift company for the Mattwald chairlift and its valley station. The immediate objective is to keep at least one blue slope operational alongside the children’s learning area for the upcoming season, maintaining an essential hub for families and beginner skiers.

Speed is critical for the rescue plan. Glarner stresses that failing to operate this winter risks scattering the ski school’s certified staff to other resorts, depleting the local workforce and hindering any future tourism revivals.

Backed by over 100 community supporters, Glarner’s coalition is scheduled to enter formal negotiations with the lift company following the summer holidays. Although financial details are still being finalized, Glarner remains confident that a mutually beneficial deal can be reached to save skiing in Braunwald.

Following years of severe financial strain, the resort's operating board discontinued traditional alpine skiing operations, with the shutdown coming into full effect for the winter season. While you can no longer down-hill ski on groomed commercial pistes, Braunwald remains an active winter oasis heavily focusing on alternative snow activities.

The transition completely shifts the town's focus away from downhill traffic and toward slower-paced, eco-friendly winter sports.

Alternative Winter Activities in Braunwald

The car-free village continues to keep its main Hüttenberg–Grotzenbüel gondola operational specifically to serve winter tourists, hikers, and snow sports enthusiasts. You can enjoy:

• Sledging and Tobogganing: The popular 3km sled run spanning from Grotzenbüel to Hüttenberg remains open, alongside multiple newly emphasized toboggan runs and snow tubing areas.

• Winter Hiking and Walking: Braunwald’s extensive network of panoramic high-altitude trails is actively maintained for romantic, scenic winter walks above the lower-valley fog.

• Ski Touring & Snowshoeing: For those still seeking the uphill thrill on skis, the surrounding Glarus Alps continue to host popular, ungroomed backcountry ski touring and snowshoe paths. 

• Ice Sports: Visitors can utilize a natural ice rink down in the village territory.

Getting to Car-Free Braunwald

Because the village has no road connectivity, it retains its famously quiet, whimsical charm completely unbothered by commercial vehicle exhaust. 

• Travel to Linthal: Drive or take the S-Bahn train directly to the Linthal Braunwaldbahn station (do not get off at the standard Linthal village stop). There is a 750-space metered parking lot right at the base.

• Ride the Funicular: Board the Braunwald Funicular Railway. The train leaves every 30 minutes, ascending 600 vertical metres in just 7 minutes to deposit you directly on the village terrace.

• Village Transit: Once up top, you must travel on foot, hire a traditional horse-drawn carriage, or request your hotel to fetch you via specialized small electric carts.

“The car-free Braunwald in the Glarus region will remain an attractive winter destination even after the discontinuation of traditional ski operations in 2026. Instead of ski slopes, guests can look forward to a variety of toboggan runs...” accrrding to Skiresort.info