Hochoetz-Kühtai Ski Area

Family in the morning, adventure on the slopes in the afternoon

From Ochsengarten to Kühtai, from children's laughter to loud and sporty yodeling: the Hochoetz Kühtai Ski Region is both family-friendly and adventurously exciting. What are the reasons? Hochoetz, the smallest (of the three big) ski areas within Ötztal, has always been considered the valley’s most family-friendly ski region, while Kühtai is also fully committed to adventure. One ski ticket, two ski areas - a perfect combination. But let's start right from beginning...

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Children's attractions in Hochoetz

When the little ones are already fidgeting at the breakfast table, it's time to leave. © Socialweb.

"Mom, Dad, today is the opposite day!" Our three little monster-children are already at the breakfast table. We learn what it means right away: "Sven, would you like a toast?" "No, mum, I don't want a toast." Sven and the two girls burst into laughter. Because on the opposite day you say what you don't really mean. Well, the opposite. That started well!

Our children are already very excited: "We don't want to ski today!" Of course, on the opposite day this means it's high time to pack up your skis and go to Oetz. Everything a child's heart could possibly desire awaits us there. The ski area can be reached either by taking a gondola ride on Acherkogelbahn directly from the village or Ochsengartenbahn from the hamlet of the same name a few hundred meters above Oetz.

Pure sunshine on the opposite day, the children are enthusiastic - so are we. © Socialweb

Big bonus for us parents: neither long lift lines nor crowds get on our nerves today. Another bonus: we also keep a close eye on our three offspring in the ski area on the 39 kilometers of slopes in pure sunshine.

This year we are in Oetz already for the second time. Our first time was during Happy Family Weeks. All children from the age of four who spend the winter holiday with their parents get a five-day ski course free of charge. The youngest ones who are still too small to ski don't have to stay at home either: as part of the Happy Family Weeks, they enjoy free child supervision in the ski area. Not only good for the children, but also for us parents.

With WIDI, the sheep, you can experience all sorts of adventures throughout the ski area: Kids’ Land, Kindergarten and Restaurant as well as Children's Theater are absolute highlights on a family holiday. © Ernst Lorenzi / Ötztal Tourismus

WIDI’s Home

"May we go to WIDI on the children's course?" urge our children. The fluffy sheep and mascot of Hochoetz not only runs a children's course where you can learn all sorts of things about mountain animals and forest wildlife, but also a WIDI Fun Park. So we have satisfied everyone in one fell swoop.

While my husband is having a quiet morning with our youngest and WIDI on the children's course, I can enjoy fantastic downhill adventures with the two older ones, Sven and Lea. Thanks to the snowfall of the last few days we even have powdery deep snow. My two young ski stars really love it. And I'm fine with it too.

Jovial hut life with a view

When the weather is nice, you could almost forget about skiing here at scenic Panorama Restaurant Hochoetz. © Ötztal Tourismus

We know: A fun-packed skiing day isn't just about skiing. All the better that the Panorama Restaurant Hochoetz is right next to Acherkogelbahn. As soon as we're really hungry, we make our way to the restaurant. Dumpling soup, cheese spaetzle and wiener schnitzel taste great on the sunny terrace. The kitchen is well known for all kinds of delicious mountain dishes.

While our kids play on the adjacent children's playground afterwards, we enjoy the special view of the Ötztal Alps on our cozy sun loungers. Skiing can be so relaxing with three children, because sunshine is known to put you in a good mood.

Even more fun on the slopes in Kühtai

Make two out of one: the Hochoetz and Kühtai ski areas are connected by skibus. © Bergbahnen Oetz

The bus stop at the base terminal of the new Ochsengartenbahn marks the beginning of our afternoon skiing. "We don't want to go to Kühtai," our children joke. Oh yeah, it's opposite day. They are happy, because another 40 kilometers of fine pistes are waiting to be explored.

Scenic Kühtai attracts skiers with its huge variety of slopes - one on the north side, one on the south side of the winter sports resort of the same name. After a short bus ride to Kühtai, we are spoiled for choice: freeride slopes or challenging red and black ski runs? Our kids are of the opinion that it is best to do everything at once and right away.

Freeriding light: this is especially fun for our children in Kühtai. You can see the first professional skills. © Socialweb

Sporty dad doesn't give up and chooses both. One step at a time. Our wild gang especially liked the freeride slopes. They can't get enough of them. But my husband and I don't want to do without a stop at Kaiser Maximilian ski hut. I treat myself to delicious coffee and apple strudel on the sun terrace, my husband enjoys a glass of fine beer - it's worth taking a short break. Our children are tired and very happy on their opposite day.

Conclusion

Small and fine is only one side of the coin in the Hochoetz ski region, the true extent is revealed in the selected family-friendliness of the winter sports area. Attractive offers for kids, exciting children's areas and comprehensive child supervision and activities make Hochoetz one of the most relaxed ski regions in the Alps.
The cooperation with Kühtai promises value added holidays: with only one skipass you will enjoy everything a skier's heart could possibly desire on 80 immaculate slope kilometers. Plus genuine homeliness and coziness offering loads of beautiful moments.

This article was first published in February 2017.

Guest blog post by Socialweb

We are several bloggers from different parts of Tirol with varied interests and styles. But together we are SOCIALWEB. What defines us? We all have our own and very private perspectives, but what connects us is great love and attention to detail.

We live the stories we write with all our hearts. For us, Tirol is not just a backdrop, but a constant adventure in which we can always experience something new. We tell our readers about these chance meetings, impressions and challenges while hoping that we can bring this world a little closer to them.