I was staying in the centre of Oetz at the fabulous Gasthof zum Stern looking to ski powder in the region as a storm was forecast in the coming days. Whilst the sun was out before the storm, I took the liberty to explore Hochoetz again. Chatting to people hanging around the convivial bar in the guesthouse I was a little surprised by how many visitors were there just to ski Hochoetz and not venture elsewhere to Kühtai, Sölden or beyond.
A short walk from the guesthouse & a free ski bus ride got me direct to the gondola valley terminal (unlike the Post Bus that drops off further away near the main road). Getting on the gondola, my fat skis wouldn’t fit in the ski rack holes so had to put them in the cabin. Yikes. Would have been awkward (or likely impossible) if others were in the cab. Alternatively I could have put them next to each other in the snowboard slot but as no one else was around, in they went.
There is always a lot going on around the Hochoetz top station. Families, pedestrians, ski schools, and disparate groups of skiers are in constant motion around the area. The facilities here are excellent though, so one can understand it. Hochoetz is undoubtedly a great place for families to get there snow & ski fix without taking a second mortgage on the family home!
Some of my observations of the lifts & terrain included .... • Despite a lack of snow down low in town at Oetz, Hochoetz has a terrain aspect that retains snow incredibly well. Take no notice how it appears down low. its whats up top that counts. on this visit it was quite warm in the valley, but there was excellent snow coverage in the ski area. • The Brunnenkopf chairlift serves a few wide intermediate pistes that, despite their shortness in length, are very popular. The pretty Bielefelder Hütte can be accessed from the lift. It has a lovely summer terrace and bar, with good food at quite reasonable prices, plus the nearby Panorama Bar has a sensational view for apres ski drinks. • The main ‘valley’ trail to Ochsengarten (piste #9) is mostly an easy snow-covered road rather than a proper piste. It may be long, but it is not very interesting. • On a powder day all the best action will be in and around the highest lifted point on the Wetterkreuz chairlift. Either drop straight off the piste #13 or climb a few steps up from the chairlift terminal and enter the huge bowl on the looker’s right of the chair. Of the ski routes, Ski Routes 1 (the upper part) and 2 make some sense, but the lower part of 1, and the entirety of 3 and 4 are just ridiculous. Find your own lines …. • A powder day alternative is off the Mohrenkopf double chair. Either drop in skier’s right of the chair and ride to the light trees or avalanche fences (scope it out on the way up); or do a short skin above the top of the chair to access lines that head off the ridge back into the alpine bowl toward Wetterkreuz or in the opposite direction back toward the Hochoetz main terminal. • The terrain park under the old, slow Balbach chair is cute &amusing, but not super-challenging, and that’s ok. My aging knees love an easy snow park! • Whilst having no valley trail down to Oetz is a shame (but reality!), it does allow for a few extra after-ski beverages on the mountain without having to worry about getting injured under the influence on a big ski descent.
What a pleasure it was staying at Gasthof zum Stern. A 150m stroll from the ‘Oetz Gemeindeamt’ bus stop, it is impossible not to notice this fresco clad building from circa 1573. It oozes charm & atmosphere both inside & out. Georg & Andy run the place in a professional, yet relaxed manner, creating a friendly, convivial environment. A wonderful breakfast includes fresh-made bacon & eggs if you want it, and after skiing a small bar with tap & bottled beer provides a perfect setting to get to know new friends. A substantial, & super modern, sauna complex has been built in the old barn adjacent to the guesthouse and is free for guests to use.
I love staying in the village of Oetz. Whilst it is very low altitude and often has no natural snow, I find the selection of services, accommodation, restaurants, price & convenience unbeatable. And staying at the incredible Gasthof zum Stern makes it even better. Note that there are several other superb hotel options in town as well. The village can easily serve as a base to ski the entire valley by use of a rental car, or the free ski buses.
Hochoetz is a great value family ski area, and a worthy storm-day, powder ski option when the ‘above-treeline’ resort of Kühtai is socked-in.
See our thoughts on the pros & cons of the ski resort via the Hochoetz overview page.
Hochoetz is a delightful location for families to enjoy the splendour of skiing the Austrian Alps without all the fuss & expense of being in one of the mega ski resorts. Hochoetz also makes an excellent alternative to Kuhtai & the Oetztal ski resorts of Soelden & Obergurgl Hochgurgl on days of poor visibility.
The family friendliness is immediately noticeable. The gondola valley on the outskirts of the town of Oetz is marvellously sheltered on even the worst weather days. A comfortable gondola ride reaches the nerve centre of the resort at a snow -sure 2020m elevation. The multi-function building has a major restaurant, excellent children's facilities, ski rentals, sun terraces & bars. In addition to the learn-to ski area, a range of short ski runs rated intermediate (but in reality, several should be beginner) are served by a multitude of lifts. The children's area has all the mod-cons to make it easy for parents, including elevator access, viewing, platforms, a cafe & seating areas.
The resorts longer trails extend from above at 2,200m all the way to Ochsengarten allowing for quality runs of 700m vertical. Advanced riders are kept interested with the trails & routes of Wetterkreuzbahn, but the skiable vertical is not great. The off-piste is ok, with a few tree-skiing options, but is generally low angle. With some skinning, there are excellent backcountry routes to seek out beyond the resort boundaries, but alas we had no time to do them.
As expected there are a host of après ski & quality dining opportunities throughout the resort. The Kuhtaile Alm is our pick. We overnighted in the town of Oetz, within walking distance of the gondola. Whilst it is quite low and can be bereft of snow at the fringes of winter, the town of Oetz is good value, has all services & quality restaurants plus transport links to all the ski resorts in the area, with buses going as far Obergurgl Hochgurgl. Oetz also makes a great base to ski the entire region, particularly if one has a car.
Hochoetz's ski lift pass is super-cheap & valid in the fabulous Kuehtai ski resort (connected via free ski bus from Ochsengarten). Kuhtai is sublime on a clear powder day & one of the best ski areas in Austria, making it a great addition to a visit to Hochoetz. Or perhaps Hochoetz is a great addition to a visit to Kuehtai!!!
