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
5m
Annual snow
Ötztal Super Ski Pass
Pass
The Terrain
50 runs across 112 km of piste
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl spreads 50 runs across 112 km of piste of terrain. It leans beginner at 53%, with 27 beginner runs to find your feet and 9 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
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 2025-2026
20 Nov 2025
Opens
19 Apr 2026
Closes
150
Days open
5 m
Annual snow
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.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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16 Sept 2026
Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
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16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
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4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl Lift Tickets
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift tickets & passes
The 2025-2026 season at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl closed on Apr 19, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.
Lift tickets FAQ
How much does a Obergurgl-Hochgurgl day pass cost?
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl day pass pricing varies by date and advance booking - see the full breakdown in the tickets panel.
Can I buy Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets online or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Obergurgl-Hochgurgl offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Obergurgl-Hochgurgl directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.
More Obergurgl-Hochgurgl intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.