Gurgl opens winter season with fresh snow and World Cup double pack
Last updated on 15.11.2024
Thanks to fresh precipitation and official snow inspection approved by the International Ski Federation (FIS), Gurgl officially starts the 2024/25 winter season. Building on last year’s successful Ski World Cup premiere, those responsible are looking forward to hosting two slalom races for women (Saturday, 23 November) and men (Sunday, 24 November). Tickets for this ultimate ski festival are available online, at all Raiffeisen banks, Ö-Ticket offices and directly on site. With a valid admission ticket, the use of local public transport from Ötztal-Bahnhof and back again is already included.
After the glamorous World Cup premiere last year, the Diamond of the Alps will once again be a sporting stage for the world’s best ski athletes. Will three ÖSV athletes achieve another spectacular home triumph like in 2023 and how will the comeback stories of ski legends Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen continue in the uppermost part of Ötztal? Stars such as Manuel Feller, Mikaela Shiffrin, Linus Straßer or the two local heroes Fabio Gstrein and Franziska Gritsch will provide answers to these questions on 23 and 24 November on the challenging Kirchenkar slope with an average gradient of 38.3%. The green light for the races was given at the official snow inspection by the FIS. “We are very much looking forward to the continuation of the World Cup story in Gurgl and especially to welcoming also the women’s world elite this year. We will provide perfect conditions,” states Alban Scheiber, Head of the Organizing Committee.
Early start according to plan
Traditionally, the premium destination of Gurgl is one of the Alps’ first winter ski areas to open the new season already in mid-November. The high alpine altitude between 1,800 and 3,030 meters as well as state-of-the-art snowmaking systems ensure absolute snow guarantee. A total of 25 mountain lifts, including six high-performance feeder gondolas, and 112 kilometers of immaculate slopes are waiting for winter sports enthusiasts.
Sustainable sports event
Gurgl is also placing great emphasis on sustainability at this second World Cup edition. With measures such as environmentally friendly travel, waste avoidance and use of regional food, the event is setting a conscious example for winter sports of the future. In the Austria-wide “Win Sustainably!” competition, the 2023 Ski World Cup premiere was named one of the most eco-friendly sports events in the country.
Tickets include arriving by public transport
All fans with a valid ski ticket can enjoy the slalom action in Hochgurgl up close along the race track and even enjoy free access to the standing area in the finish zone. Therefore all winter sports fans can combine skiing fun on the slopes with action-packed racing atmosphere. Tickets for the grandstand, multi-day and VIP tickets as well as the varied side & entertainment program can be booked online at gurgl.com. All ticket holders can travel to the races free of charge by public transport from Ötztal-Bahnhof.
TV discussion with Aamodt Kilde
The World Cup action starts on Thursday, 21 November at Gurgl Carat in Obergurgl with the exciting topic “Fascination of winter sports – insights into the World Cup and outlooks on the World Cup in Austria”. In the ORF Sport+ broadcast, experts such as Norwegian ski star Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Ötztal-based athlete Franziska Gritsch and Germany’s former ski racer Martina Ertl will talk about the fascination of ski races and the emotions they trigger. The panel discussion also focuses on the upcoming race season of the Ski World Cup by giving an outlook on the home World Championships in Saalbach. All sports fans interested in the topic can take part free of charge. It starts at 20.30 in the evening.
Festival for both fans & athletes
Gurgl celebrates the World Cup double pack with a varied and entertaining weekend: on Friday, 22 November, the women’s start number drawing will take place from 17.00 in front of Gurgl Carat – accompanied by rousing Diamond Beats and DJ sounds. From 21.00, Diamond Beats together with Nassau Beach & Friends will bring a touch of Ibiza to the foyer. On Saturday, 23 November, the fun-packed side program starts at 17.00 with even more Diamond Beats and the start number drawing for the men’s slalom, before the fans of the ski racing stars can continue to party.
More details: www.gurgl.com
