Gurgl: Exclusive season start plus top quality skiingat the Diamond of the Alps

Last updated on 11.11.2025

Gurgl is considered a premium destination for all winter sports enthusiasts looking for the highest level of comfort and absolute snow reliability: 112 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes between 1,800 and 3,030 meters above sea level and 25 modern lifts await you here. The very early start of the season on 20 November 2025, makes Gurgl one of the Alps’ first winter ski areas to open its slopes. Embedded in majestic 3000 m high peaks, guests enjoy top quality skiing without waiting times – combined with excellent hotels, fine dining and first-class infrastructure.

To kick off the winter season, the uppermost part of Ötztal shines with a top-class sports event: the ultimate AUDI FIS Ski World Cup, which has been held in Gurgl since 2023. On 22 and 23 November 2025, women and men will compete in slalom ski races on the challenging Kirchenkar slope in Hochgurgl. Above scenic Top Mountain Crosspoint fans will be live at the finish line next to the world’s best slalom skiers. For British ski star and long-time Gurgl testimonial Dave Ryding, this will be the last World Cup race at the Diamond of the Alps before he ends his sporting career.

In addition to the exciting slalom competitions, special evening events at Gurgl Carat Congress and Event Center in Obergurgl will accompany the start of the season.

Among the highlights of the 2026 event calendar is the exclusive Diamond Beats winter festival. From 11 to 13 March 2026, this event held in Gurgl will combine curated music performances with creativity, enjoyment and great alpine flair. A sensory experience that will surprise visitors with new ideas, inspiring sounds and unforgettable moments.

Style and comfort in the ski area

Whether for leisure or sport: skiers in Gurgl are always at the highest level. The winter season begins as early as November and – thanks to the high altitude – continues until mid-April, offering perfect conditions for sunshine skiing in spring. Seven modern feeder mountain lifts in Obergurgl and Hochgurgl guarantee convenient access to the slopes, taking you to the ski area without any waiting times. The wide open ski runs offer an average of around 400 m² of space per skier. A particularly comfortable feature: starting next season, the 1- and 2-day ski ticket will also be available as a mobile ticket on your phone – download the skipass, take your smartphone with you and simply glide through the turnstiles.

Starting from the village center, winter sports fans and passionate hikers can reach popular mountain refreshment stops in less than ten minutes, including Hohe Mut Alm at an altitude of 2,670 meters. Thanks to its sunny terrace and picture-book views of 21 three thousand meter peaks, it is one of the most popular meeting spots of the entire ski area. At the “First Line” adventure, early risers can make the very first turns on freshly groomed slopes, followed by a delicious mountain breakfast.

At the Top Mountain Crosspoint, in the foothills of Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, guests will find not only the base terminal of Kirchenkar gondola lift, but also a panoramic restaurant with table service and the unique Top Mountain Motorcycle Experience – all combined in just one building that is really eye-catching from an architectural point of view. The pass road is closed to traffic during the winter months from November to May.

Another highlight is the “Top Mountain Star” 360° panorama bar on Wurmkogl (3,030 m): on clear days it boasts stunning vistas as far as Italy’s Dolomites.

Also Rosskar gondola lift offers unique perspectives: as part of the VOI fesch Art Prize, several gondolas have become mobile canvases designed by people with disabilities. These marvelous works of art bring color to the ski area and set a visible example of inclusion.

Premium infrastructure – not just on the mountain

Away from the groomed ski slopes, Gurgl also boasts high-quality and well-thought-out offers. At an altitude of 2,000 meters, 25 hotels of the 4 star and 5 star category spoil guests in a stylish ambiance plus excellent spa and wellness options. Some 90 percent of all beds are located less than 250 meters from the nearest mountain lift or ski slope, guaranteeing a highly relaxing ski-in & ski-out experience. For wellness amid nature, the wintry stone pine forest is an ideal place for unwinding and taking a deep breath.

Gurgl sets high culinary standards: with four toque-awarded restaurants – Hotel Edelweiss & Gurgl, Hotel Grünerhof, Hotel Hochfirst and Gourmet & Wine Hotel Austria, which was also awarded a Michelin star in November 2024 – the ski resort once again proves what “Diamond of the Alps” stands for. Additionally, the Perrier-Jouët gourmet gondola provides a culinary highlight: during a panoramic ride on Kirchenkar gondola lift, the finest specialties prepared by the Top Mountain Crosspoint Restaurant are served in a private setting.

Interactive discovery at the Top Mountain Motorcycle Experience

On approximately 4,500 m² of exhibition space, splendid Top Mountain Crosspoint offers a walk-through history of motorsports.

Over 620 historical and modern exhibits from more than 150 brands are on display, thanks to the passion for collecting by brothers Alban and Attila Scheiber. This weather-independent excursion site not only attracts motorcycle enthusiasts, but also fascinates visitors of all ages with 4D cinema, Motor Wall, technology simulations and great sound experiences. The new special exhibition “Icons of the 70s” showcases style-defining models from this distinctive era.

Active with or without a gondola lift

Winter in Gurgl enchants visitors with its huge variety. On approximately 20 kilometers of winter hiking trails, you can explore the snow-covered mountain world at your very own pace – whether on a stroll or a (guided) snowshoe hike through the ancient stone pine forest. Cross-country skiers enjoy a total network of 12 kilometers of high altitude nordic tracks.

Things get a bit more exciting on the three-kilometer toboggan run in Hochgurgl, both during the day and during the weekly night tobogganing adventure. Night skiing also takes place in Obergurgl and Hochgurgl every week.

Europe’s highest event village

Embedded in the high alpine winter wonderland, Gurgl not only impresses as a premium ski and recreation area, but also offers ideal conditions for events – ranging from small workshops to large-scale international meetings.

The center of the action is scenic Gurgl Carat, a top modern congress and event center in the heart of Obergurgl: equipped with flexible room layouts for up to 520 people, high-end media technology and featuring a truly unique architectural design. Surrounded by 21 hotels of the 4 star category offering around 3,500 guest beds within easy walking distance, Gurgl Carat simply boasts perfect conditions for conferences, cultural events, concerts, art openings, Christmas markets or the official fan zone of Gurgl’s Ski World Cup weekend. Gurgl offers overnight accommodation for 5,000 guests with a local population of just 400 people.

Since summer 2025, the modern event center has been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel. The certification is a reliable proof of an environmentally conscious, resource-efficient and highly sustainable event culture. Barrier-free accessibility, regional catering and easy access without needing a car are all part of the overall concept. Last but not least, the very short distances to nature spots and varied activities such as ski touring and skiing promise an attractive side program for seminar and conference participants.

Ötztal Super Skipass is a valley-wide ticket

All those looking for even more variety in skiing can purchase the unrivaled Ötztal Super Skipass that gives access to 368 slope kilometers and 90 mountain lifts – and thus to the Sölden, Gurgl, Hochoetz-Kühtai, Niederthai, Gries and Vent ski areas. The upgrade to the Ötztal Super Skipass is already included from 3-day ski tickets. Ski tickets of 6 days or more also comprise admission to the spectacular 007 ELEMENTS James Bond Adventure World in Sölden and Top Mountain Motorcycle Experience in Hochgurgl. Special tip: If you book your skipasses for Gurgl and Sölden online early in advance, you enjoy attractive discounts – no matter if you choose day tickets, multi-day tickets or Ötztal Super Skipass. To reach the slopes even faster, you can pick up your paid tickets from the ticket machines on site.

Sustainable travel routes to Gurgl

Well-timed train and bus connections allow for a truly relaxed and environmentally friendly journey to the uppermost part of Ötztal. During the winter months, there are additional direct trains (e.g., DB WinterRail) with a stop in Ötztal Bahnhof. From there, public bus lines continue every half hour to Gurgl. In winter, use of all public transport lines from Ötztal Bahnhof within Ötztal is free of charge for guest card holders – a real bonus for all those who want to leave their car at home during their holiday and enjoy the winter scenery without having to search for a parking space.

All information and events: www.gurgl.com

Images can be found here