If you arrive in December or March expecting the steam train, it will not be there. The railway runs from May to the end of October and rests in between. That is the main fact for a winter trip; the rest of this page is what you can do instead.
No steam in winter. Do not book flights or hotels for the Rothorn train outside the season.
What is open
- The village and the lake. Walking the promenade and old streets works all year; see Brienz village. Check shop opening hours.
- Winter lake tours. GetYourGuide lists a winter jetboat ride at 4.9 from 26 reviews and a winter kayak tour in a drysuit at 4.9 from 281 reviews (November 2026).
- Giessbach. Interlaken tourism’s opening-hours list says the waterfall stays accessible through winter while the Grandhotel closes for part of it. We did not verify the current dates or the funicular.
- The other side of the mountain. The Sörenberg cable car lists winter operation; check the dates on soerenberg.ch.
Interlaken: Winter Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz
Winter jetboat tour with lake views. 4.9/5 from 26 reviews on GetYourGuide (November 2026).
Interlaken: Lake Brienz Winter Kayak Tour for Up to 6
2-hour small-group kayak tour in a sealed drysuit. 4.9/5 from 281 reviews on GetYourGuide (November 2026). Cold-water activity: read the safety details.
Check the cancellation terms on the listing.
What is closed
The Rothorn railway, the Berghaus summit service, Ballenberg (the 2026 season ended on 1 November) and the lake’s scheduled summer boats. Many Brienz hotels may reduce services; check when you book (where to stay).
Plan the trip for summer instead
If the steam train is the point, move your dates. The best time to visit page maps the months.
Planning to stay overnight? Compare rooms in Brienz.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Brienz Rothorn Bahn run in winter?
No. The operator says operations pause over winter and resume in May. For 2027 the season starts on 8 May.
What can I do in Brienz in winter?
Walk the lake promenade and the village, visit the woodcarving shops that are open, and book a winter jetboat ride or kayak tour on Lake Brienz. Many attractions are closed.
Can I reach the Brienzer Rothorn in winter another way?
The Sörenberg cable car on the Lucerne side lists winter operation (mid-December to early April, per tourism listings). Check soerenberg.ch; we did not verify dates.
Is Brienz good for skiing or snow?
Not primarily. One source says snow in the village is not likely and that Brienz is less suitable for a winter stay. Sörenberg and other areas are the ski options nearby.
Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It funds the research behind this site.
