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
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Hotels and lodges near Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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4 Nov 2026
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3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
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Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
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30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
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30 Oct 2026
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl Webcams
5 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Obergurgl-Hochgurgl's live webcams
Check live conditions across Obergurgl-Hochgurgl with 5 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Hochgurgl Ski Area2410m
- This Hochgurgl webcam sits at the heart of the ski area at 2410 meters, looking up across the full extent of the resort's terrain toward the upper mountain. It's the most comprehensive single view of Hochgurgl's runs and lifts, giving you an instant read on snow coverage and visibility conditions before you head out. Check this first to assess the overall state of the mountain on any given day.
- Hochgurgl Crosspoint2157m
- Monitor the main junction connecting both halves of this dual-resort destination through these Hochgurgl cams positioned at 2157 meters. This is where the Hochgurgl and Obergurgl ski areas meet, making it the strategic heart of the combined 112-kilometer trail network. Watch skier flow and snow conditions at this key interchange to plan the most efficient route between the two ski areas throughout the day.
- Obergurgl Hohe Mut2670m
- This Obergurgl webcam broadcasts live from the summit of the Hohe Mutbahn at 2670 meters, where the iconic Hohe Mut Alm restaurant overlooks some of the resort's finest upper-mountain terrain. Snow conditions here are indicative of the quality across Obergurgl's higher runs, making this a reliable reference point for planning your day on the upper half of the ski area. One of 50 runs across this high-altitude Tyrolean resort is just below this lens.
- Obergurgl Festkogel2670m
- Scan the Obergurgl live cams from the top of the Roßkarbahn gondola at 2670 meters, where the Festkogel restaurant sits high above the village with commanding views across the resort. This elevated position captures the widest perspective of Obergurgl's upper terrain, letting you assess snow quality and weather rolling in from the south. Essential viewing for skiers targeting the resort's more challenging descents in this famously snow-sure corner of the Ötztal Alps.
- Obergurgl Gaisberg2005m
- Positioned just above the traditional village at 2005 meters, this Obergurgl webcam runs as a 24-hour timelapse, giving you a continuous record of how conditions have evolved throughout the day and overnight. It's the ideal camera for tracking fresh snowfall accumulation or morning clearing after a storm. A practical lower-mountain reference point that complements the higher-elevation views elsewhere across the resort.
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl snow cams FAQ
How often do Obergurgl-Hochgurgl snow cams update?
All Obergurgl-Hochgurgl snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.
Which Obergurgl-Hochgurgl webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Obergurgl Hohe Mut webcam at 2,670m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Obergurgl-Hochgurgl webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Obergurgl-Hochgurgl snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Obergurgl-Hochgurgl snow cams?
Check Obergurgl-Hochgurgl webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Obergurgl-Hochgurgl lift tickets?
Use our Obergurgl-Hochgurgl webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Obergurgl-Hochgurgl webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Obergurgl-Hochgurgl snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Obergurgl-Hochgurgl intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.