A Beginner's Guide to Skiing in Obergurgl

Obergurgl in Austria is an idyllic location for a beginner skier. There are only 400 residents here, but they are keen to welcome everyone to their stunning mountain home.

The resort became better known, when in 1931, the balloonist Professor Auguste Piccard and a colleague made an emergency landing after becoming the first people to reach the stratosphere.

Found at the head of the Ötztal Valley in Tirol, Obergurgl is just a bus ride from Sölden, which featured in the 2015 Bond movie Spectre, so the views may already be familiar.

You may also have seen the word ‘Gurgl' on British Ski Champ Dave Ryding’s helmet. That covers Obergurgl and its satellite resort of Hochgurgl, which together offer a very tempting option for first-time skiers.

In fact, ‘Gurgl’ derives from ‘Gurgali’ meaning the village at the glacier, a nod to the awe-inspiring scenery all around.

In this beginner's guide, we answer:

• Is Obergurgl a good resort for beginners?
• Where to stay if you're a beginner in Obergurgl
• Is Obergurgl suitable for a first time family ski holiday?
• Beginner skiing in Obergurgl
• How much do lift passes cost?
• Beginner access to bars and restaurants
• How much do ski lessons cost?
• Is there a beginner friendly snow park?

Let’s explore more about learning to ski in Obergurgl and the surrounding area. 

Is Obergurgl a good resort for beginners?

Obergurgl is one of the best ski resorts in Austria for beginners. It’s quiet and calm with few day-visitors, and pretty too. The main ski school, established since 1922, offers exemplary lessons in the most beautiful of surroundings.

It also happens to be one of Austria's most snow sure ski resorts, so beginners can expect fabulous learning conditions from late November until the end of April.

There are 16 wide, open and easy blue runs, waiting for you to start your turns, without fear of bottle-necks or crowds.

It’s queue- and crowd-free with slick lifts, a quiet chalet-style village with little traffic.

In fact, nowhere is a long walk from a lift, to minimise effort and maximise time on the mountain.

Read more:

 If you're a looking to learn in a snow sure ski resort with a bit of life and a calm atmosphere, La Plagne is an excellent option. Dedicated learner areas, a range of villages, and fantastic ski schools make La Plagne a great resort for beginners of all ages.

Where to stay in Obergurgl if you’re a beginner

You may do a lot of skiing in the early days in Hochgurgl, therefore, you could stay there. There is a choice of high-end hotels with the popular Riml a good choice, which lend themselves to those keen to ski a lot, and enjoy a quieter atmosphere.

Or, even better, stay in the east side of Obergurgl, which you can ski down to on lovely blue runs without the need to walk through town. It’s perfectly possible to ski-in/ski-out if you stay east of town.

Families are best located in Obergurgl, close to the ski school in the town centre, and practice trails.

Jim, Iglu Sales Manager, has been to Obergurl himself, he says:

Obergurgl is mostly ski in / ski out, and the town is compact so the gentle beginner areas are conveniently located near the hotels. 

Is Obergurgl suitable for a first time family ski holiday?

It’s a relaxed, family-friendly resort with a traditional Tirolean atmosphere, with features for children such as fun slopes, a family park and Fun Cross, and age-appropriate clubs.

In fact, you could arrange day-long childcare with a supervised lunch, so adults are free to go further up the mountain and reunite later in the day in the compact resort.

If skiing en famille, then there are quaint Alpine mountain inns and ski huts, serving hearty snacks and excellent culinary delights.

On top of the skiing, there is an indoor golf centre, a natural ice-rink, curling, snowshoeing and tobogganing (also available at night). You can even try horse-riding here.

Winter hiking paths lead through untouched natural landscapes and centuries-old stone pine forests.

Children can learn to ski from 4 and up. At 3 years, they can join Bobo Miniclub for outdoor activities and the resort has Bobo Kindergarten for indoor fun.

Hotel kindergartens are also popular, safe and fun.

Further along the valley in Sölden, there is a leisure centre and shops to explore. Or take the bus to Längenfeld for the Aqua Dome thermal spa with ‘Alpen Arche Noah’ for families.

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Another great beginner resort is Meribel. It's got the same authentically Alpine feel but more going on than Obergurgl, with plenty of bars and a bustling resort centre.

Zell am See in Austria is also great for beginners. It has a similar laid-back vibe, a good amount going on and access to the Skicircus for any experienced skiers in the group!

Beginner skiing in Obergurgl

In total there are 112 km of slopes here. Look out for blue slopes. There are plenty of them, totaling more than 60 km. Slopes here are numbered rather than named as in other resorts. 

It’s a good idea to jump on the free shuttle bus (every ten minutes) to Hochgurgl and practice turns above the gondola. Hochgurgl has the sun in the morning, making for a pleasant ski vibe. 

Flattish practice areas are located around the Mahdstuhl lift, on the valley floor. You can also practise at the Krumpwasser and Wiesen lifts. 

At mid-mountain, on Festkogel, for more advanced beginners, there is some easy cruising. The blue run from the top of this sector to the village, via the Hohe Mut sector, is a cool 1,100 metres of vertical - so plenty of piste to try out new skills on, without lots of stop and start and riding lifts. 

Especially for children, there are two areas at Wiesental and Pirchhütt (behind Hotel Hochfirst) run by the local ski school.

Where to head when you’re ready to explore Obergurgl

There are numerous blues in the Festkogl and Hohe Mut areas, which give you time to practise your turns, and also stop en route for a break if you wish. 

There are easy, broad slopes served by the Bruggenboden chair. 

The slopes on the Wurmkogel and at the Kirchenkarbahn are almost all suitable for beginners. The runs lead down over wide and easy slopes to the valleys.

Top tips on things to do while you're in Obergurgl!

Known as the Diamond of the Alps, Obergurgl is a gem for beginners and intermediates alike. It’s no distance to Italy, so there are a number of recommended restaurants for delicious Italian food. 

Try Trattoria Brunello at Schlossweg 4, for a modern Italian ambience with excellent cuisine. Round off the savoury classics with sweet desserts! Open Wednesday to Sundays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Don’t miss the Motorcycle Museum on the narrow blue run numbered 36. Great for enthusiasts, and an amusing stop for everyone else. There’s also a café.

Spot the lovely array of blue runs around Hochgurgl. Getting the gondola across from Obergurgl to Hochgurgl will be a tad tricky for absolute beginners, but you can easily reach them on the regular bus service that goes between the two resorts.

How much do lift passes cost in Obergurgl?

A daily lift pass is €70 per adult; €38.50 per child and €56.50 per youth pass in the season 24/25 in low season (November 14th to December 6th, 2024). 

Add €3 for mid-season: December 7th to December 20th, 2024 and January 7th to February 14th, 2025 and March 15th to April 27th, 2025.

Add €5 for top season (December 21st, 2024 to January 6th, 2025 and February 15th to March 14th, 2025).

In the 24/25 season, children are those born 2010 to 2016; Youth are those born 2005 to 2009. 

Over 75s pay the same as children.

Your pass covers Obergurgl and Hochgurgl.

Is there a free lift pass for Obergurgl?

There is one lift that is free only to ski school participants.

Is there a discounted lift pass for beginners?

There are three other beginner lifts but you will need a standard lift pass here.

Obergurgl après bars and restaurants accessible to beginner skiers

A highlight for beginners is the choice of fabulous mountain restaurants with culinary treats, not always common in more modern ski resorts. 

Obergurgl is well known for its jovial Tirolean teatime après.

Head to the panoramic bar, Top Mountain Star, with 360 degree views of the Ötztal Alps. Ski down on blues to the Top-Express link to Obergurgl, or ski down to Hochgurgl, and take the Hochgurglbahn down to avoid the lower red. 

The Hohe Mut Alm is accessible for strong skiers, but also on foot from the top of Hohe Mut Bahn for a pleasant lunch spot. It’s a jovial hut with fabulous glacier views from the extensive terrace, and the early evenings are a lot of fun. 

The Nederhütte, not far above village level, is hugely popular and turns into the focal après-ski venue after lunch with live music on offer. It’s an easy run down, though if you have one too many Schnapps, and dance too hard on the chairs and tables, ask for a snowmobile to get you home. Be warned, it has been described as ‘raucous’. 

The Kirchenkarhütte is a simple, self-service rustic hut worth exploring but there are short stretches of red runs on the way down.

Read more

Discover more about Obergurgl's party scene in our guide to the best après bars and nightlife hotspots in Obergurgl.

How much do ski lessons cost in Obergurgl?

Beginners appreciate the excellent, well established local ski school.

Novices usually start in a small group getting used to their equipment and doing simple drills on gentle slopes either in the valley or higher up the mountain. 

A group lesson starts at €104 per person per session, reducing if 5 days are pre booked, rising to €198 per hour for a private teacher. In groups, you’ll typically buy a 5 or 6 day-long series of lessons. Private lessons can be as short as one hour and upwards to suit you. 

Private classes do get booked up early, especially for school holiday dates, so get ahead to confirm your choice. Here are ‘from’ prices, indicative for the 24/25 season.

Is there a beginner-friendly snow park in Obergurgl?

The snow park at the Bruggenbodenbahn lift is designed for families with boxes and kickers. 

The funslope at the Hochgurgl II and Wurmkogl I lifts features waves, jumps, steep turns, boxes and snow figures.

Overall, is Obergurgl a good choice for beginners?

Super-flattering snow conditions here will suit beginners, and those doing well can advance quickly to perfect intermediate terrain. 

It’s a quaint, fun resort, without the bustle and complexity of larger resorts. 

Obergurgl is an ideal spot to learn to ski in Tirolean scenery, with everything on tap for a huge confidence boost to those skiing for the first time.

You’re in for a treat.

Read more:

Make sure to check out our guide on why Obergurgl is a great ski resort for even more reasons to go!