Obergurgl – Hochgurgl

Obergurgl is one of the world’s few classic ski resorts and unlike some of the others, it’s got superb skiing and an admirable snow record as well as the picturesque village. Then there’s the spectacular scenery of the Ötztal region of the Tirol, the wonderful mountain air and peace. But beyond that there is Obergurgl’s remarkable altitude – one of the Alps’ highest genuine villages, meaning village level snow is the norm from November to May. With lifts right up to 3080m (over 10,100 feet), a big vertical is skiable right through the season.

It’s a top destination for families, thanks to its vast amount of wide, gentle terrain, top ski schools and its convenience as a resort. Most of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl’s four and five star hotels offer ski-in, ski-out convenience, something not often found in many Austrian resorts. Parents will also enjoy the plentiful powder snow and energetic après-ski that showcases the best of Austrian skiing.

From the 2017/18 season, skiers can purchase a pass that includes Obergurgl and Hochgurgl, as well as the neighbouring resort of Sölden, providing access to 254 kilometres of pistes and 55 state-of-the-art lift facilities.

Obergurgl Resort History

Obergurgl’s big break came in May 1931 when pioneering Swiss balloonist Professor Auguste Piccard was forced to make an emergency landing on the resort’s Gurgler Ferner glacier whilst setting a new altitude record in his stratospheric balloon, after taking off from Augsburg in Germany. News of the attempt and emergency landing made headlines around the world. Perhaps this sudden fame was a partial catalyst that brought the first tourists in 1939. It has been studied since 1951 as a model for Alpine development.

Hochgurgl, a small settlement made up almost entirely of large luxurious hotels, began its life in 1961 when the local Scheiber family founded the first hotel there. Obergurgl is the major settlement in a series of villages once called ‘Gurgl’ but now referred to by the tourist office as Obergurgl – Hochgurgl. The latter is an even higher-altitude off-shoot that’s increasingly popular.

Ski with the Ski Club of Great Britain today!

The Ski Club is the UK’s oldest and largest snowsports membership organisation, dedicated to bringing skiers together to discover better skiing through an enthusiastic community! The Ski Club operates a dedicated Ski Club Rep in this resort, along with 28 other resorts across Europe and North America – ski with us today and find your best day ever on snow.

Alongside Reps, the Club offers a host of services to help you make the most of your time on snow, including travel insurance designed by skiers for skiers, exclusive discounts for our Members, a huge range of information online and in our magazine, amazing Ski Club Experiences, special events in the UK and broad plus incredible Ski Club Freshtracks holidays around the world for every taste in skiing.