• 500 top brands
• 40.000 products
• 500.000 customers
• from 23 countries

The passion: How it all began

It all started with a hobby: mountaineering – mainly mountaineering and mountain biking – and the passion to spread the word. Since 1999, before Bergzeit became a mountain sports shop, the company’s founder Klaus Lehner published tour descriptions on a touring portal which he personally conducted. Digitized maps from Kompass-Verlag completed the online offering.

The continued story shows that a passion for certain things can become a driving force. Soon, equipment was added to the maps – the very first product was an altimeter and bicycle computer called HAC4 from the Ciclo company – which was initially stored in the attic. In 2003 the attic was converted into a warehouse in Großhartpenning including a stationery shop as well as the first Bergzeit employee.

All grown up: From touring portal to mountaineering retailer

Klaus Lehner didn’t remain alone for long with his passion: more than 240 employees are now working at Bergzeit, which has been focusing on high-quality clothing and equipment for mountain sports and travel for over ten years. Klaus Lehner retired as Managing Director on 1 October 2015. An expert in the mountaineering industry, Maximilian Hofbauer played a decisive role in shaping the company for three years of its history.

In October 2018, the management was restructured into a dual management team: Markus Kasperbauer, with many years of experience in e-commerce and logistics, took over as head of logistics, customer service, administration, HR and IT. Martin Stolzenberger, who was already part of Bergzeit as Purchasing Manager from 2010 to 2017, today assumes responsibility for Purchasing, Sales, Marketing and Web Operations. They are taking over a handsome legacy: At present in the Bergzeit Shop, there are approximately 40,000 products from some 500 mountain sports brands from all over the world – from A for Arc’teryx to Z for Ziener.

The new central warehouse in Otterfing, completed in 2017, provides 8,000 square metres of usable space with 56,000 storage spaces for logistics. Employees handle storage, incoming orders and dispatch. On average, 3,000 parcels pass the dispatch bench every day, and at maximum capacity, the figure can even rise to 7,000.

Innovative Offices, canteen and new website

The customer service team is a competent contact partner via telephone, e-mail or chat for all matters relating to Bergzeit offers. The new headquarters building also houses product management, marketing, magazine editing, IT and accounting, as well as numerous other colleagues who are enthusiastic about mountaineering – together with logistics, there are currently 175 of them.

During the planning of the building, management paid special attention to the interior design. The innovative office landscape allows for an open and communicative working atmosphere. Team and rest workplaces adapted to the respective needs as well as strategically positioned meeting and meeting points ensure open cooperation. A new canteen complete with our very own Bergzeit chef offers fresh, varied meals at an attractive price.

The relaunch of the Bergzeit website also took place in 2017. In addition to a fresh look in its new Bergzeit green, the functionality has also been greatly revised and significantly improved. Almost incidentally, Bergzeit has given its corporate identity a new coat of paint – the veteran red Bergzeit-B has been replaced by a hexagon in which a mountain silhouette refers to Bergzeit’s core competence – well-founded advice on all aspects of mountain sports. Bergzeit began its new 2018 mountaineering year with a completely new design!

Locations: Located in the South of Munich and Europe

Founded in 1999, Bergzeit GmbH is based in the Bavarian region south of Munich. In addition to the online shop – which also serves Austria, Switzerland, the UK, Holland and many other countries – you can also stop by at Bergzeit on your way to the mountains. In the two branches in Holzkirchen and Gmund am Tegernsee, experienced Bergzeit alpinists are on hand to provide advice in the areas of trekking, climbing, trail running and skiing.

At Bergzeit Alpin in Großhartpenning (Holzkirchen) a large selection of clothing and equipment for alpine climbing awaits you on 700 square metres – from expeditions to mountaineering, climbing and ski touring to hiking.

In autumn 2010 Bergzeit Outdoor in Moosrain (Gmund) joined the already existing branch in Großhartpenning. In addition to general mountaineering, trekking, hiking and trail running accessories in winter, ski and freeride accessories in winter, and clothing and accessories for mountain bikes in summer, the 2,000-square-metre store is the perfect place to shop.
The stores regularly host exciting events and activities such as the barefoot and trail running day, the alpine day, tent picking and the mountain season winter opening. Nights with top athletes such as Stefan Glowacz or Alex Huber attract numerous visitors to the branches at the regular customer days and to other event locations in the Oberland at the Bergfilm Festival Tegernsee.

The Team: A lot of time spent on the mountain

The location in the immediate vicinity of the Alps is no accident: the Bergzeit team spends a lot of time on the mountain, in summer preferably climbing, mountain biking, hiking or running, and in winter, ski touring, snowshoeing or freeriding. Ski touring and bike meetings after work are just as much a part of the working atmosphere as relaxed, friendly interaction with colleagues and a view of the Alps from the headquarters in Otterfing.

The Bergzeit Team can also be found regularly participating in competitions of all types of mountain sports throughout the entire Alpine region. Bergzeit also supports a climbing team consisting of internationally active athletes. Our Bergzeit journal is a plethora of useful, specialist knowledge. Anywhere from rock and bouldering adventure reads to buyer’s guides for all your favourite equipment and then more!

The concentrated expert knowledge and passion for mountain sports of all Bergzeit employees are of course also of benefit to the customers, for whom Bergzeit is the partner for all-mountain and travel adventures not only in the Bavarian Alps but also throughout the world.

From Inspiration to Adventure

Bergzeit not only stands for high-quality mountaineering products and competent information and inspiration in the Bergzeit Journal. it also stands for the overall experience on the mountain! Since October 2018 Bergzeit Erlebnis (meaning Adventure in German) also offers guided tours and courses with mountain guides and specially trained guides.

The expansion of the platform was merely the next logical step – after all, selling a pair of skis or a hardshell jacket is not enough. It’ s essential to Bergzeit that customers also enjoy a unique experience.

Bergzeit reading and useful info:

• Clothing size charts for men, women & kids
• Bergzeit Team suggestions on merino apparel
• Bergzeit team member takes it to the field: Hiking boot review