Obergurgl in Austria
Resort Guide
The Gurgls' ski area is divided in to two sectors of similar size. The full vertical is skiable above Pill and Hochgurgl and doorstep skiing is possible from Obergurgl. Until recently the two areas were linked only by the ski bus but for the 9798 season an 8 seater, the Top Express Gurgl' gondola was installed to carry skiers and boarders in both directions between the two areas. The 9 minute journey over 3.6km (2.25 miles) offers spectacular scenic views to users. There is skiing for all ability levels in both sectors. Beginners may practice technique on the Gaisberg or Mahdstuhl lifts whilst more experienced skiers will find the majority of runs at Festkogl above Obergurgl to their liking or the Schermerspitze run above Hochgurgl which has two steep sections for added fun. Make sure you make it to the top from where there are stunning views over the Dolomites deep in to Italy, with the Northern Alps stacking up behind you. The opportunities for experts include the steep black Hoher Mut run or the Ferwalltal descents above Obergurgl (particularly good in the morning). Above Hochgurgl there are the challenging moguls of the top-Wurmkogl II slope . But many serious skiers will want to take a guided tour, of which at least 20 run daily, into the huge off-piste paradise. There are over 250 3000m plus peaks in the Ötztal Alps, the largest glaciated area in the eastern Alps, and 50 of them are around Obergurgl. Lift lines are unheard of around the Gurgls' lifts, thanks to a capacity of well over 30,000 skiers per hour but, at the most, only a quarter of that number ever hit the slopes at once. Many also hit the nine legendary ski huts of Obergurgl -Hochgurgl, including the open air Yeti Bar at 3000 metres, a popular spot for marriages. There are two ski schools, at Obergurg and at Hochgurgl, by far the larger being in Obergurgl. Cross country tuition is offered, along with all the other disciplines and there are three tracks to try out around the valley, of 2 km, 3km and 7km in length.
Resort Statistics
- Resort Height : 1930
- Top Station : 3080
- Bottom Station : 1930
- Vertical Descent : 1150
- Drag Lifts : 7
- Chair Lifts : 5
- Opens : November-May
- Expert Rating : 6
- Intermediate Rating : 8
- Beginner Rating : 7
Lift Pass Prices
- Adult One Day Pass : 37 Euros
- Adult Six Day Pass : 183 Euros
- Child One Day Pass : 24 Euros
- Child Six Day Pass : 107 Euros