Travel Eye on Obergurgl (Austria)

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Overview:

Obergurgl is one of the highest resorts in Austria at 1930m. It boasts an extremely long season (Nov-May) due to its excellent snow record and, with the new gondola linked to Hochgurgl, there are over 100km of runs. Most of its skiing is above the tree-line, so it can sometimes appear rather bleak and open. The resort itself is quite attractive and traditional and the lifts depart straight from the village centre.

The skiing is best for beginners and lower intermediates, making for an excellent family venue. The ski school is good as well, although childcare is best arranged with your hotel, as the resort organises nothing in the mornings for non-skiing kids.

Obergurgl is trying to attract boarders with a park and a half-pipe, but there are still draglifts and the resort has a little way to go. For better boarders and skiers, there is usually good off-piste and powder, with guided tours that take you down to Solden (not lift-linked).

It is an upmarket family ski-resort with an expensive club-type atmosphere. Much favoured by well-heeled British and European families and couples. The skiing is versatile, with the emphasis on beginners and intermediates, but still plenty for the advanced skier.

There is one 5-star luxury hotel and a range of 3- and 4-star hotels, offering good to outstanding choice of facilities. Also pensions, B&Bs and an increasing number of apartments. It is unlikely that there will be much more development, as it has almost reached its capacity within the imposed limits. Many hotels have their own creche and child-minding services.

Locality:

Obergurgl is in south west Austria, in south Tyrol, near the Italian border. It is 40 mls NW of Merano (Italy), not accessible in winter, 62 mls SW of Innsbruck and its airport, 170 mls SW of Salzburg and its airport and 175 mls S of Munich (Germany) and its airport. It is at the southernmost end of the Otz Valley, framed by the Otztaler Alps on 3 sides.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There are 2 ski-schools which operate 5 days per week and employ over 100 instructors. Ski-kindergarten is avaiable for children from the age of 5. Courses in snowboarding, touring and cross-country skiing are also available.

Shoppping is limited to essentials and not for shopaholics. A handful of supermarkets; plenty of sports outlets which sell and hire ski-equipment; a few designer clothing boutiques; newsagent with general goods and souvenirs; bank.

During the daytime the winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowboarding, sleigh rides, ice-skating and curling. Hiking, mountain biking, tennis and rafting are all popular in summer. There are concerts, exhibitions and folk-music evenings are held in the Piccard centre.

The nightlife here is lively and abundant apres-ski in numerous bars, cafes and cellars. The live music venues and discos are open until the early hours.

There is a modest selection of restaurants, including a number of mountain huts and a couple of pizzerias. The traditional Austrian and local Otztal specialities augment the usual international fare. Cuisine is of a good standard but pricey. Drinks tend to be much more expensive than elsewhere.