Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
Two linked ski areas, 112km of pistes and 3,030m peaks in the Ötztal. One of the Alps' first non-glacier resorts to open each November.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
19 Nov 2026
Closes
18 Apr 2027
Days open
150
Annual snow
4.5m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl sits at the end of the Ötztal valley in Tyrol, combining two linked ski areas across 112km of pistes between 1,793m and 3,030m. The resort consistently opens in mid-November — among the earliest of any non-glacier ski area in the Alps — a product of its position at the head of a dead-end valley that catches snowfall from both northern and southern weather systems. With 25 lifts capable of moving over 43,000 skiers per hour and 21 peaks above 3,000m as the backdrop, the combined ski area offers scale and reliability in equal measure.
The two villages operate as distinct ski areas, each with roughly 56km of slopes, connected by the Top Express gondola — a 3.6km link across the Königstal and Ferwalltal valleys completed in nine minutes. Obergurgl, at 1,930m, carries steeper and more varied terrain including the Hohe Mut sector, regarded as the most challenging in the entire Ötztal. Hochgurgl, based at 2,150m, offers wider, sunnier slopes and the highest lift-accessed point in the combined area at 3,030m. The longest descent — the 8km Wurmkogel run with 1,260m of vertical — links the high terrain above Hochgurgl back to the Obergurgl valley floor.
1237m
Vertical
50
Runs
112 km
Piste
4.5m
Annual snow
Ötztal Super Ski Pass
Pass
The Terrain
50 runs across 112 km of piste
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl links two ski areas through the Top Express gondola, giving 112 kilometres of piste across 50 runs between 1,793 and 3,030 metres. The terrain leans towards easier skiing, with 53% beginner, 29% intermediate and 18% advanced, and no expert-graded pistes. Both areas sit above 2,000 metres for most of the network. On the Hochgurgl side, the Wurmkogel sector reaches the highest lift-accessed point and the Schermerspitze area holds some of the best carving pistes in the valley.
The harder skiing is on the Obergurgl side. Hohe Mut, reached by a two-stage gondola from the village centre, is the most challenging sector in the Ötztal, with red descents that will test timid intermediates and ungroomed terrain around the 2,670-metre summit. Wurmkogl II, piste 11, is a black with a steep, direct fall line that rewards precise turns, and the 8-kilometre Wurmkogel run delivers more than 1,200 metres of vertical. Festkogl above the village is gentler, with blues, reds and a few easy blacks.
Terrain split
50
runs
50 runs across 4 grades
Beginner27 runs · 53%
Intermediate14 runs · 29%
Advanced9 runs · 18%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
The 2025–26 season at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl runs from 20 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, one of the longest non-glacier seasons in Austria. The resort's base elevation of 1,793m and summit at 3,030m, combined with average annual snowfall of 4.5 metres, deliver consistent natural coverage from early season through to late April. The valley's dead-end position channels snowfall from both northerly and southerly weather patterns, creating above-average accumulation relative to more exposed Tyrolean resorts.
Snowmaking infrastructure covers the full 112km of pistes, with five on-mountain weather stations managing automated cannon deployment based on temperature and humidity. The season's closing weeks in April attract spring skiers who value uncrowded slopes and well-established snow bases, while the Obergurgl snowpark at the Bruggenboden lift — running two lines and close to 20 obstacles — remains active through the latter part of the season. A three-day or longer Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift pass also includes access to Sölden and the Hochoetz-Kühtai ski areas under the Ötztal Super Ski Pass arrangement, which covers approximately 360km of piste across 91 lift systems.
Season 2026 - 2027
19 Nov 2026
Opens
18 Apr 2027
Closes
150
Days open
4.5 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl
Daily snow reports at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
53 cm
Snowiest day
5 Dec 2020
5.9 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
453 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, and where to stay
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl occupies the uppermost section of the Ötztal, Austria's longest side valley, with the village of Obergurgl at 1,930m and Hochgurgl at 2,150m. The valley dead-ends above Obergurgl, meaning all traffic arrives and departs via the single Ötztal access road — a characteristic that contributes to the resort's unhurried atmosphere. Sölden lies 20km down the valley, and the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road connecting Austria and Italy passes through Hochgurgl, though it is closed in winter.
Innsbruck Airport is the nearest international gateway at approximately 90km via the A12 and B186 Ötztal road. Munich Airport is a practical alternative at around 170km, with regular bus connections running directly from both airports into the Ötztal. Train travellers reach Ötztal station on the Innsbruck–Bregenz main line, from where connecting buses serve the valley. The resort's compact layout — over 90% of accommodation sits within 250 metres of a lift — makes car-free visits straightforward once in the valley.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Obergurgl-Hochgurgl's ski season?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 19 through April 18. That window is roughly 150 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Austria, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Obergurgl-Hochgurgl have?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lists about 112 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 50 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl?
Trail grading at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl breaks down roughly as 53% beginner, 29% intermediate, 18% advanced. With a strong beginner share, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Obergurgl-Hochgurgl have?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl operates 25 lifts across 5 lift types. The fleet includes 11 gondolas, 6 t-bars, 5 quad chairs, 2 6-person chairs, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl?
Base elevation at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is about 1,793 m (5,883 ft), with the summit around 3,030 m (9,941 ft), giving roughly 1,237 m (4,058 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Obergurgl-Hochgurgl get each season?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl averages about 453 cm (178 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Obergurgl-Hochgurgl accept the Ötztal Super Ski Pass?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is affiliated with the Ötztal Super Ski Pass. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Ötztal Super Ski Pass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 5 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Obergurgl-Hochgurgl so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Obergurgl-Hochgurgl have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Obergurgl-Hochgurgl located?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl sits in Austria, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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