What’s the skiing like? The pretty Alpine village of Obergurgl offers high-altitude skiing up to 3,080m. It is one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Europe with most of its slopes above 2000m and a ski season spanning November to May. The 112km of slopes are served by state-of-the-art lifts, often with heated seats. Skiers will find quiet, open slopes with no lift queues.
Best suited to? Beginners and intermediates
Beginners like the snow-sure slopes, good English-speaking ski schools and friendly villages. The children’s area in Obergurgl is served by three magic carpets and is complete with Bobo the penguin. Families enjoy the Fun Slope with its bridges, tunnels, rails and jumps.
Intermediates can head to the good cruising blues and reds just below the summit of Festkogl. Or those wanting to stretch their legs on longer runs, head to the mid-mountain red and blue slopes of neighbouring Hochgurgl.
Advanced skiers love the off-piste opportunities here, particularly those surrounding the Hohe Mut at 2,670m. The deep, untouched powder is a favourite for freeriders in the know.
Those looking for more challenging pistes can head to nearby Solden or Vent, both included in the Obergurgl lift pass.
The Audi Quattro terrain park at 2,120m has 22 features including kickers, boxes and rails.
What’s the resort like? The traditional village of Obergurgl has an 18th-Century church and hardly any traffic. There are limited shops in the resort but a good selection of accommodation, including B&Bs, apartments some plush 4- and 5-star hotels with luxurious spas and ski-in/ski-out facilities.
The apres-ski in Obergurgl is not for hardcore drinkers, it’s more about live bands and dancing, and a particularly favourite is the Nederhutte mountain restaurant. But there is a nightclub, the Josl-Keller, with a DJ in the resort.
Off the slopes? Enjoy tobogganing and the outdoor ice-skating rink. Slightly random but you can visit Europe’s highest motorcycle museum at the Top Mountain Crosspoint. Or take the gondola up to the Top Mountain Star (3,030m) for 360-degree views of the Otztaler peaks and even the Italian Dolomites. Enjoy a hot chocolate in front of the fire at the Hohe Mut Alm (854m) mountain restaurant.
Downside? In bad weather the slopes can be quite exposed as they’re above the treeline. Advanced skiers may find the local slopes limited but can access the other ski areas in the Otztal Valley ski pass.
Nearest airport(s): Innsbruck 90 mins/94km
Apres takes place early in Obergurgl and after dinner most skiers retreat to their hotels and chalets. But the drinking scene’s not totally quiet. At the end of the afternoon you’ll see a crowd of merry revellers gathering at the umbrella bar by the Hohe Mut lift. There you’ll find the Nederhutte where the local rock band gets punters up and dancing on tables.
For a real knees up go to the Top Safari Disco in Hochgurgl – it has live music and is open until late.
A popular spot for apres ski and BBQ or fondue is David's Hutte. Next to the Steinmann lift, it’s open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
One of the resort’s biggest attractions the ‘Return of the Pioneers’ - a night skiing show performed by the ski instructors. They carry out effortless stunts and jumps and the show ends with a fantastic fireworks display.
For a well-deserved pit stop, head to the rather special Hohe Mut Alm. The restaurant, which is situated on the mountain, serves a broad range of wonderful Tyrolean cuisine. Every Wednesday evening the restaurant has live music until 10pm. A quick and free gondola ride will transport you there after 6.30pm. There’s a gorgeous bar too with an open fire where visitors can relax and feel comfortable. Get there via the Hohe Mut Bahn gondola.
Situated at the Hochgurgl ski area, Wurmkoglhutte at the mid-station has a tiled stove, a number of private dining rooms and a large sun terrace and deckchairs.
The Haus Gurgl Hotel serves good pizzas cooked in a wood stove oven. The restaurant is smart and offers a wide selection of a la carte dishes in addition to its crispy pizzas. The tiramisu dessert comes highly recommended. Prices are purse friendly.
And the Top Mountain Star panorama bar which sits at 3,080m above sea level is not to be missed.
Gurglerstrasse 93
A 6456 Obergurgl, Tyrol
Austria