Downhill skiing in Obergurgl
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Downhill skiing in Obergurgl

© Ötztal Tourismus / Ernst Lorenzi

Obergurgl resort information & après-ski

Après-ski

There’s a choice of traditional jolly Austrian après ski or more sophisticated lounge bar soirees at Obergurgl – in either case you’re most likely to find yourself in a hotel bar of one sort or another.

Toni's Almhütte in the Hotel Olymp (tel: +43 5256 6491; www.olymphotel.at) is a favourite spot when the lifts close. Located on the slopes, the bar is housed within an atmospheric 400-year-old building.

For something a little different, the Nederhütte (tel: +43 664 400 7149; www.nederhuette.at) provides a spectacular après-ski show where the owner and his family play different instruments and sing.

Other activities include bowling or a trip down the toboggan run from the Hochgurglbahn top station.

Eating out

In the evenings, most of Obergurgl’s 20 or so dining options are to be found within hotels. Tyrolean specialities are the norm, but being this close to Italy means that pizza and pasta are also a local forte.

The Restaurant Romantika in the Hotel Madeleine (tel: +43 525 663 550) is a top choice for pizza with its own wood-fired pizza ovens, while Salz & Pfeffer (tel: +43 5256 6454; www.thecrystal.at) in the Crystal hotel is a good choice for Austrian delicacies and international cuisine.

A weekly event that usually draws the crowds is the Wednesday night show at the Hohe Mut Alm (tel: +43 525 663 9632; www.hohemutalm.at) combining live music with fondue.

During the daytime, a visit to the Top Mountain Star restaurant, some 3,000m (9,843ft) above sea level at the top of the Wurmogel lift is a must. Here spectacular views are paired with high calibre cuisine. The restaurant is run by the 5-star Top Hotel in Hochgurgl (www.tophotelhochgurgl.com).

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Obergurgl's off-slope activities are dominated to some extent by the 4- and 5-star hotels, nearly all of which offer their own swimming pool and often a range of spa facilities. So for many people, it is a case of skiing all day and then relaxing in their hotel in the evening.

Other attractions in the resort include a bowling alley, darts, billiards, indoor golf and a library. Outdoors, there's ice skating, curling, horse riding, snowshoe hikes and 13km (8 miles) of cleared winter paths for rambling. There are also a number of cross-country trails to explore in the area.

One of the resort’s quirkier attractions is the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum, which is the highest motorbike museum in Europe. It’s located within the large Top Mountain Crosspoint building which opened in 2015 to serve as both a toll station for the summer road crossing into Italy – popular with bikers – and as the base station for a gondola access lift.

Family fun

As befits a classic ski resort, Obergurgl has a natural, wholesome ambience that is perfect for families. On the slopes, the comfortable and fast lift network minimises stressful situations, while off the slopes most of the hotels are well equipped for families with good facilities, including swimming pools. As an added bonus, the busy high pass road to Italy closes during winter, meaning there’s no fast through traffic to worry about.

There's no nursery provision, although those aged three and up are welcome at Bobo's Kinder-Club (tel: +43 5256 6305; www.skischule-obergurgl.com), which is the ski kindergarten organised by the ski school. Children aged five and over can join the main ski school.

Retail therapy

Shopping options are limited at the resort, with only a dozen or so shops in Obergurgl, most of which sell sportswear and equipment.

There are a handful of boutiques, however, as well as a grocery store (tel: +43 5256 6309), a hairdresser, a post office (with ATM) and several souvenir outlets. More serious shoppers will need to make the pilgrimage down the valley to Innsbruck for more extensive options.

Splashing out

Brush up on your golfing at 2,200m (7,217ft) above sea level in the golf park owned by the Hotel Riml in Hochgurgl (tel: +43 5256 6261; www.hotel-riml.com). The high-tech indoor facility caters for all ability levels, from complete beginners to professionals. Golfers can improve their swing in front of screens displaying a choice of 54 of the most beautiful golf courses in the world or test their nerve on the putting green. After a good round or two, relax in the Putt-in rustic golf bar on site.

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Hotels

Obergurgl is a traditional-style village where most accommodation options exist in the form of hotels and apartments. The hotels in Obergurgl are of a high quality, most of them being 4-star rated or above.

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Luxury Moderate Cheap

Hotel Bergwelt

+43 5256 6274

A 4-star hotel with spa, Hotel Bergwelt is a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. Family-run with excellent service standards, the hotel also benefits from a popular on-site restaurant.

Kressbrunnenweg 9, A 6456, Obergurgl, Austria

Top Hotel Hochgurgl

+43 5256 6265

The resort's sole 5-star establishment is known for the spectacular panoramic views from its terrace and its homemade apple strudel, amongst other delights.

Hochgurglerstrasse 8, A 6456, Obergurgl, Austria

Sporthotel Ideal

+33 5256 6290

A friendly 3-star hotel in Hochgurgl, the Sporthotel Ideal harbours an excellent slopeside location and a great spa.

Hochgurglerstrasse 2, A 6456, Obergurgl, Austria

Hotel Madeleine

+43 525 663 550

Centrally located and family-run, the Hotel Madeleine is a traditional ‘chalet-style’ establishment that includes an on-site restaurant and wellness facilities.

Gurglerstraße 116, A 6456, Obergurgl, Austria

Haus Alpenblick

+43 5256 6767

Modern and affordable with spacious rooms and a hearty breakfast, Haus Alpenblick is located in a quiet position at the back of the resort, a short stroll from the nearest lift.

Gurglerstrasse 83, A 6456, Obergurgl, Austria

Bergresidenz Mühle

+33 5256 6767

A comfortable pension located midway between Obergurgl and Hochgurgl, Berresidenz Mühle is linked to both villages by a complimentary shuttle bus.

Gurglerstrasse 83, A 6456, Obergurgl, Austria

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Getting there and around

Getting there

Nearest airport: Innsbruck Airport (INN).

Distance to resort: 94km (59 miles).

Driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Getting around

Central Obergurgl is compact and it's possible to walk between most points. A bus service links Obergurgl to neighbouring Solden, with which it shares a joint lift pass valid between five and 14 days. The ticket is not fully interchangeable but allows holders based in one resort a single day of skiing in the other resort during its validity.

Night-time traffic is banned in Obergurgl and reduced traffic zones have been enforced in certain areas.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.