Small, pretty super friendly

We’ve just returned from a ski holiday in Obergurgl, Austria. 

We flew out, but took the train back. Our holiday was Friday to Friday.  We had full day skiing on the first Saturday which was great. At the end of the week, the accommodation let us pay a small additional amount for late check out so again we got a full days’ skiing on the Friday, back for shower and then taxi to Innsbruck for the overnight train. If we’d flown back we would have had to miss half the days skiing so better for us – and the climate! 

Obergurgl was really lovely. Perfect for a family, very safe, everyone super friendly and helpful. The resort is split between Hochgurgl and Obergurgl with a bubble on the slopes between them (or free every 10 mins shuttle bus). Both villages are very small and pretty. 

Photo: Abbie Churton

Obergurgl ski school was very good - our instructors were fluent English and brilliant fun.

Lots of really great places to eat on the mountain, our favourite was Schonwieshutte which you either had to snowshoe (beautiful trail!) to reach or get a free skidoo. Reasonably priced food, high quality and locally owned. 

We had really great snow and beautiful sunny days. Couldn’t have been better conditions. 

Photo: Abbie Churton

We stayed in a small (6-person) locally owned chalet in Hochgurgl which was idyllic. 

The only negative on Obergurgl is that the skiing is not super challenging. But my son spent most of his time trying to learn tricks on his board instead with a really great instructor. 

For our return from Austria to Lewes, the rail connections were all really easy and the only real issue was the rail replacement bus service from Three Bridges to Lewes, when we were 45 minutes from home! 

It’s worth knowing that the overnight NightJet train stops at Koln Messe and the train to Brussels goes from Koln HBF. It’s only two mins on a local train (there’s one every few minutes) but it did cause a bit of confusion. Also, the overnight train carriages with six people berths are pretty old and quite dirty generally though sheets and bedding etc all very clean. The two-person compartments looked much nicer. Not a disaster but not quite the standard of European trains generally. 

All in all, a very successful trip. Thanks so much for all your help!