We often receive enquiries from guests who have members of the party staying at The Chalet at 11º East that don’t ski. Is there anything for them to do?
Apart from relaxing in the wonderfully luxurious surroundings of The Chalet itself, there is much to do for the non-skier in Obergurgl.
Obergurgl is the perfect resort for non-skiers as it is very easy to meet the skiers in the group at a wide range of venues on the mountain, either by foot or gondola. There are well prepared walking tracks along the river, one of our favourites being the walk right outside The Chalet ,at 11 º East in the centre of the resort, down to Pill/Untergurgl or in the other direction up to the Rotmoos waterfall Some of the walks can be combined with a bubble ride to remote mountain huts or to explore nearby Hochgurgl.
The active ones could try snowshoeing (footwear that resembles a tennis racket!), cross country, indoor golf, bowling, spa days, ice skating, curling or horse riding (Obergurgl boasts a super modern indoor glass riding arena with lessons on the pretty Haflinger horses). Besides this we highly recommend a trip to the city of Innsbruck to see the Christmas market, the Bergisel Ski Jump or the many churches and historic sites. Set amidst the mountains, Innsbruck is one of the prettiest old towns in Europe. For those who need a day off from skiing, all will enjoy the facilities at the Aquadome in Langenfeld with its outdoor thermal baths.
Where are the hot spots to enjoy varied cuisine in Obergurgl?
Recently rebuilt is the iconic Schon Weiss Hutte located in the middle of nowhere and a great lunch spot, also accessible to non-skiers. Very friendly service and best of all you get to ski behind a Ski-Doo to get there Take the Steinmann lift up and a skidoo awaits you to take you to the restaurant. Skiers are towed behind the skidoo on a rope, walkers ride on the skidoo!
At the top of the mountain we like the typically Austrian interior of the Hohe Mut Alm and their warming local cuisine. A chalet favourite is the smoked salmon served on a bed of Rösti with sour cream.
There is always a warm welcome at the Neder Hutte on the Gaisberg, super fast service, very friendly atmosphere and efficient staff. People rave about the ribs but if you haven’t tried Kaiserschmarrn and chocolate sauce, why not?! You haven’t lived!
Where to head for an après ski party…
Obergurgl is famed for on mountain après ski at the Neder Hut Expect great music, dancing on the tables in your ski boots and a Ski-Doo to take you down the piste if you are too inebriated to safely navigate the floodlit run! The food and drink are great too. Come the warmer weather, the band moves outside and the atmosphere is more convivial with an iced glass of rosé rather than winters local tipple of a hot gluehwein.
Tuesday’s are party night in Obergurgl and the ski instructors night show is followed by a pit stop in the Ice-berg Sportsbar alongside the piste and on to the Josl nightclub. The Picnic is a good bet for a pizza en route.
The Neder Hutte, dancing followed by a floodlit ski down or a lift home in the skidoo!
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