I'm considering spending a season in Obergurgl. I've had a good hunt around here & other sources for reviews and it comes across as a high-end, small, picture-perfect Austrian village with plenty of charm & tradition.
How does it compare to other resorts for off-piste though? Will it be like a Flaine, where comparatively few of the skiiers are advanced so there's plenty of untracked terrain for everyone? I've done seasons in Tignes and Meribel and found there was plenty to be getting on with in both of those, can I expect something similar? Maybe on a level with Meribel + COU as opposed to the entire 3V?
Any decent ski touring? I've only looked at the piste map so far, but it looks promising - the Hochalpine Skitour is marked on up to the Hochwilde, as well as plenty of untouched white...
Would love some opinions from those who have been.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obergurgl is a dead end but in a good way. The village only has so many beds and most day visitors are likely to stop at the larger Resort of nearby Sölden so it doesn't get overcrowded or tracked out as quickly as other resorts.
It's a Long time since I've been but this is typical of how I remember it.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
There's a far bit of ski touring in the area too and the ski season is generally longer than other resorts, typically starting end Nov / early Dec as opposed to Xmas.
I haven't been to Obergurgl itself (which I need to remedy, as it's on my season pass), but it has a very good rep. The rest of Oetztal (Vent, Hochoetz, Kuhtai) also has some great offpiste skiing, and there's loads of touring potential. Really cool valley. This website shows some of the touring options: http://www.almenrausch.at/ferienregionen/skitouren-regionen/tirol/obergurgl.html (Check out the Vent, Sellrain/Kuhtai, and Vorderes Oetztal links too).
i am off to obergurgl in Feb, would be good to know how to get to those spots..... hint....
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I've been going to Obergurgl since 2001 and have been every Easter for the past six years or so for a couple of weeks at a time. Will be there again at the end of March/early April next year if anyone is interested in meeting up. Anyone up for any hut to hut touring in the area? There are quite a few good off piste runs from the lifts in both Obergurgl and Hochgurgl that I've only become familiar with after getting to know and skiing with some locals associated with the guest house where I stay. The guy who runs the bar has detailed knowledge of the local area and is one the best skiers/guides in the area and that includes anyone from the local ski school. If anyone is interested in knowing the details of this place please send a pm.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Thanks for the info - looks like there'll be plenty to keep me occupied.
I'm not sure whether or not I'll end up there, political factors coming into play, but I'll be sure to try and take up some of those offers if I do!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
The Oetztal is classic touring country. Wildspitze is the highest mountain in the Tirol (I think) is a popular one, as is Similaun. It's a while since I went there but I think both can be done as day trips (using the lifts at Soelden for Wildspitze). I incorporated them into a circular tour starting from Vent. Loads of other nice ski peaks and the huts are very good too.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Kelskii, definitely interested in meeting up; I'll be in touch nearer the time.
jiagedaping, ditto if you end up there.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Arno wrote:
Wildspitze is the highest mountain in the Tirol (I think) is a popular one, as is Similaun.
I thought it was 3rd but apparently it's No 2 in the whole of Austria second only to the Großglockner. (The Klein glockner is around the same height).
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Ski-toured up the Großglocker & Großer Geiger (as far as you can get with skis and up to the top on foot). Went up the Großvenediger which was a great ski tour, getting all the way to the top with skis. A ski tour up the Wildspitze is on my list of things to do should I have the time, money and right weather.
...... but Arno you would probably be better taking the longer version from the bottom lift with a 1900m climb so you really get the most out of the highest mountain in Tirol
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
DB, I went up from a hut on the other side - maybe the Hochjochhospitz?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
DB, definitely interested.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
DB, I'd be interested but depends on dates. Piste-to-powder used to do an Oetztal tour that included this but don't think they do it any more.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Arno wrote:
DB, I went up from a hut on the other side - maybe the Hochjochhospitz?
Or the Vernagthütte perhaps? Can you remember how much of a climb it was and was it a multiday trip or a single day long slog?
DB, I'd be interested but depends on dates. Piste-to-powder used to do an Oetztal tour that included this but don't think they do it any more.
Did the Öztal tour with P2P a few years back but didn't get up the Wildspitze, shame they don't do it anymore but getting a guide shouldn't be a problem.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
DB, Vernaghthutte rings a bell. We went up there in a few hours from Vent and then did Wildspitze the next day. Recall it was quite a long fairly flat approach up a glacier under maybe the S face of Wildspitze
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
DB, I remember that steep bit on the climb. we skied down the same route as we climbed - there were some much more interesting looking lines down from higher on the mountain but they were too much for me back then - i was quite a crappy skier then. can't work out which hut it would have been without a map
DB, cheers - it was definitely from the Vernagt Hut.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Looks like the Wildspitz tour is on for w/c 7 April 2014. Have 3 definates, 2 maybes and 1 probably not but might. clarky999 & Kelskii - please let me know if you are interested. Skiing standard = Piste to Powder level 3 and above, fitness level = 4 to 8 hours touring / day at altitude (up to circa 3800m). First day Vent (1900m) up to Vernagthütte (2700m) then Vernagthütte used as a base for the Wildspitze and other tours.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Hi DB, thanks for sorting this. I'll be in subject to getting flights and other accommodation sorted. I want to be around the area either the week before or week after too. Will you be staying in Vent prior to the tour starting? I'll have a load of other gear that I'll need to leave somewhere for the duration of the tour. Will the final day of the tour be Friday 11 April or the following day? Cheers.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Kelskii,
Yes the plan is to stay in Vent (Altitude 1900m) for a few days before the tour. 2 others in the group booked flights last night from Gatwick with Ryanair (Thurs 03 April to Thurs 10 April). Final day of the tour will be Wednesday 9 April.
We are currently in dicussion as to how many days we will do with the guide at high altitude (min 3 days - Mon to Wed) and how many we will do from Vent without a guide ourselves (max 3 days Friday to Sunday).
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
DB, will definitely join you for at least one of the un-guided days, maybe one of the guided ones too but won't be able to confirm that until much nearer the time so if others are interested no need to 'reserve' a place for me!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
clarky999,
Great. Looks like we will be doing tours from Vent on Friday 4th & Saturday 5th April. I'll send you a PM nearer the time.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
DB, sweet, thanks. Looking forward to it!
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Just got back from the tour yesterday. Plan to post a full trip report once I get together all the pics from the other participants but here are a couple to be going on with.
DB, Mick, Steve & Kelskii on the top of the Hochvernagtspitze (3535m high).
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
