Gurgl is nestled at the end of the Ötztal Valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Reaching altitudes of more than 3000m above sea level, the ski area enjoys reliable snow cover all through the long winter season. Gurgl's wide, sunny ski slopes are popular with beginner and intermediate skiers. Boasting over 100km of ski slopes for skiers of all levels, you can certainly understand why the Austrian linked ski area of Gurgl is so ridiculously popular.

At 1930m above sea level, Obergurgl is the highest parish in Austria. The former farming village has a lot of character and because there is no through traffic, you will enjoy the lovely, peaceful feel here. The neighbouring ski resort of Hochgurgl is basically a ski-in, ski-out hotel village located right in the middle of the ski area. Over the years, Gurgl has transformed itself into an international reference point in the Austrian skiing scene and the self-proclaimed "Diamond of the Alps" now has an upscale, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Obergurgl has stood the test of time and can compete well with many of the more modern ski resorts across the Alps. The ski resort is easy to reach from Innsbruck Airport.

Straight to the pistes at Gurgl

The lifts in Obergurgl and Hochgurgl leave right from the village centre and take skiers and snowboarders directly to the slopes. It's easy to move between the ski areas of Obergurgl and Hochgurgl via the 8-person Top Express gondola, which connects the two. Overall, the Gurgl ski area has around 110km of pistes, including a large snow park, funslopes, boarder cross and off-piste possibilities. Snow cannons on 90% of the ski area ensure lack of snow is never an issue, and a generous selection of mountain restaurants ensure lack of food or drink is never an issue either! For a special experience, try night skiing and night tobogganing on the floodlit slopes.

Learning to ski

The dedicated children's skiing areas at the Wiesental, Pirchhütt and Krumpwasser feature moving carpets and rope tows that introduce kids to skiing in a fun, safe manner. At Gurgl, children from the age of 3 can enrol in ski lessons with the competent ski instructors. This means mum and dad can sneak off to the slopes for a few laps while the kids have a ball learning to love the snow and gain confidence on skis or snowboard!

Après-ski at Gurgl

The après-ski scene at Gurgl gets going in the afternoon at the rowdy mountain restaurants. Après-ski here has always been popular with British skiers and it's not surprising - good, old-fashioned, jolly, glass-raising fun can be had almost everywhere here. While most of the après-ski is done early so you can get some shut-eye before another day on the slopes, there are several nightclubs in town that keep the party going until the wee hours.

Off the slopes at Gurgl

There is a lovely ice skating rink located in the village, and toboggan tracks that are also open for nighttime tobogganing. To explore the Ötztal valley at a slower pace, don your cross-country skis or your winter hiking boots and take to the trails. The Ötztal Nature Park exhibition allows visitors to further explore the local flora and fauna, while learning about the ramifications of climate change on the glaciers and ski areas in the Alps.

Apres-ski & entertainment Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
Restaurants 23	Theatre -
Bars & cafes 11	Casino -
Nightclubs & discos 1	Concert hall
Cinema -

Ski school and ski lessons Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
No. of ski schools 5	Private ski lessons € 179
No. of ski instructors 260	Ski lessons1 Days, 2 Hours, € 81
Area for beginners	Snowboarding lessons3 Days, 12 Hours, € 213
Ski lessons in	Cross-country skiing1 Days, 2 Hours, € 49

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl for families and children
Childcare	Magic carpet
Playground	Ski lift for children
Merry-go-round -

Leisure & sports activities Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
Public sauna -	Footpaths 17 km
Fitness centre -	Torchlight descentiedere dinsdag op de Festkogl
Public solarium	Indoor ice rink -
Massage	Outdoor ice rink
Spa & wellness -	Curling
Indoor swimming pool -	Snow rafting -
Hot air ballooning -	Dog sledding -
Paragliding -	Snowmobile tours -
Indoor tennis court -	Toboggan run
Squash court -

Ski blog about Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

Live report: Snowed-in in Austria!

18 November 2019 by Danielle in 'Live from the slopes''

Austria has been inundated with snow over the past few days, especially in southern and eastern Tyrol. The snow is welcomed by skiers and snowboarders but has caused chaos in the mountains. Wet and heavy, the snow has many ski resorts on avalanche alert and has even caused avalanches in some villages. Our colleagues Yvonne and Miranda are currently "stuck" in Obergurgl thanks to closed roads in the Ötztal. Here's our full snowed-in report, live from Gurgl!... More ›

Snowplaza Ski Opening Gurgl: Kick off ski season in style!

20 September 2019 by Danielle in 'Events''

Can't wait for the start of ski season? Plotting ways to get on the slopes as soon as possible? How does November suit you? From November 21-24, 2019, we'll be celebrating the start of ski season in Austria with the Snowplaza Ski Opening in Gurgl (close to Sölden)! Four days of skiing, testing out the latest ski and snowboard models and partying on the slopes and in the valleys, plus tons of fun (and free) activities will be organised! Book now and take advantage of our all-inclusive packages. T... More ›
(Photo: © Liftgesselschaften Obergurgl-Hochgurgl - Dominic Ebenbichler)

Why we love skiing at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

26 October 2018 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

Otherwise known as the ‘Diamond of the Alps’, the Austrian ski resort of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is nestled at the end of the Ötztal valley and enjoys guaranteed snow thanks to the high altitude. Skiing and snowboarding are often possible here from early autumn until well into spring, a feature that makes the ski area popular with both recreational and professional athletes. For the 2018/19 ski season, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl will be inaugurating the Kirchenkarbahn II, a lift that will open up access ... More ›

13 super high-altitude ski resorts

22 February 2018 by Danielle in 'Ski areas''

High-altitude ski resorts have the best snow and the best views, whether you’re in the Alps or the Rocky Mountains. Glacier ski resorts in particular have the added advantage of being open during the summer months so you can pursue your love for skiing and snowboarding unhindered. If you’re hankering after panoramic vistas and guaranteed snow, you’ll ideally want to choose a ski resort that sits around 3000m or higher. To help you on your way, we’ve compiled a list of thirteen of the best hig... More ›