Heimat- und FIS-Skimuseum Braunlage

About the museum

The foundation of the museum was laid by schoolchildren in Braunlage who, in 1913 for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig, gathered "objects from earlier times" at a teacher's suggestion. Chief Forester Arthur Ulrichs, the town's ski pioneer, continued the collecting. On July 1, 1916, the first museum opened in five rented rooms of the Villa Bellevue.

Later, the loose association became a registered society. In 1934 the museum moved into a new building in the Braunlage spa park (Kurpark), where it is still housed and which has since been enlarged twice. In 1945, destruction and looting caused losses to the holdings; the rooms only became available to the museum again after the spa administration moved out in 1971.

In 1985/86 an annex was added with a new exhibition concept that put skiing and winter sports at its center. Today the volunteer-run museum shows only objects from Braunlage and its surroundings: from mining, industry, forestry and transport to church history and everyday life, and the inner German border. Its collection on the history of winter sports in the Harz is why the FIS recognizes it as a ski museum.

Highlights

• Braunlage as the cradle of skiing in Germany
• Ski museum recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS)
• Themed rooms on economy, transport, church and everyday life
• Section on the inner German border, with border fence in the outdoor area
• Virtual tour online

Permanent exhibitions

• Braunlager Ortsgeschichte in Themenräumen – Foyer and five rooms on economy and transport, winter sports, church history, everyday life, the inner German border and art; plus a freely accessible outdoor area with memorial stones and a border fence.
• FIS-Skimuseum: Wintersport im Harz – Collection on the history of winter sports in the Harz; not on display until the end of the current special exhibition (October 15, 2026) because of limited space.

Founded

1916

Operated by

Museumsgesellschaft e.V. Braunlage

Admission & discounts

Guests of hotels, guesthouses or holiday apartments receive the Harzgastkarte. Members of the museum society enter free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Since 2026 there has been step-free access; the entire exhibition is accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Volunteer staff help when needed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

According to the tourism portal, there is a puzzle rally for children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is centrally located on the traffic-calmed Dr.-Kurt-Schroeder-Promenade on the Warme Bode, near the spa guest center and the main entrance to the spa garden.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit