Obergurgl: piste guide
Expert guide to Obergurgl
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While Obergurgl's ski area is small by modern standards, the overall experience of friendly villages and intermediate slopes that are equally snow sure in December and April make it popular with families. New for 2018/19, lifts passes for three days and longer cover all the ski areas in the Ötztal valley, including nearby Sölden, adding appeal for more advanced visitors.
Obergurgl’s groomed ski area has 112km of pistes split into three areas. The sector immediately above the village is served by the Festkoglbahn gondola on the outskirts of town, and the Rosskarbahn chair from the village centre. Both reach just below the 3,038m summit of Festkogl, from where a drag-lift and a chairlift serve an assortment of blue and red runs, along with three blacks that could easily pass for reds. It’s all good cruising fun.
From mid-mountain the impressive Top Express gondola whisks across two little valleys to the mid-mountain slopes of neighbouring, lesser-known Hochgurgl. There are much longer – but no more challenging – blues, reds, and occasional blacks here, and strong intermediates can get a proper workout. From the top of the Wurmkogl peak the run all the way down to the valley road is the best part of 1,200m.
The third sector, reached by the two-stage Hohe Mut Bahn gondola from the centre of Obergurgl, ascends to the Hohe Mut at 2,670m for one of the best mountain restaurants in the area, and the start of some spectacular touring opportunities along the Italian frontier. The red runs from here are either medium or difficult, depending on the length of lunch, and this is also where Obergurgl's off piste shines – the itineraries do not require a guide. From the restaurant, a steep itinerary route provides a significant challenge.
While Obergurgl is not a huge destination for freestylers, the Familypark situated next to the Bruggenboden lift suits those who want to give tricks a try, while more advanced freestylers can head for a more advanced terrain park opened in 2018, close to the Steinmannbahn chairlift.
There’s a small selection of ski schools in Obergurgl and one in Hochgurgl. Most of the instructors speak good English. British family tour operator Esprit Ski runs its own classes for children with the ski school in Obergurgl.
