Dave Ryding, 37, is the most successful ski racer ever to come out of the UK, and the only British alpine skier ever to win a World Cup race. Over the course of his long and glittering career, he’s represented Team GB at four Winter Olympics and eight World Championships, won a whole string of podium and top 10 finishes at World Cup events, and been crowned British slalom champion a record nine times.
Not bad for a kid from Bretherton Lancashire, who grew up skiing at Pendle dry slope. When he’s not travelling to compete, Ryding spends his winters in the Ötztal valley in Austria, where he trains on the slopes of Gurgl. Here, he shares his tips on the best places to eat, drink and ski in this high-alpine resort.
SNOW: What was it that made you first fall in love with Ötztal Gurgl?
Dave Ryding: I first fell in love with Ötztal Gurgl because of the combination of world-class skiing and an authentically Austrian, welcoming vibe. The mountains here are just breathtaking, and the conditions are consistently excellent. But it’s not just about the skiing, it’s about the whole experience—the people, the atmosphere, and the stunning natural beauty that surrounds you every day.
S: What’s one thing you’ve only come to appreciate after a few years of basing yourself there?
D: I’ve really come to appreciate the sense of community. There’s a close-knit feeling in Ötztal Gurgl that you don’t find everywhere. The locals are incredibly supportive, and you become part of something bigger than just the skiing. Also, I’ve grown to love the peacefulness. It’s an ideal place to focus and train, away from the hustle and bustle of bigger resorts.
S: What’s your favourite run to train on?
D: My favourite run to train on naturally is the World Cup Piste in Hochgurgl. But I love to freeski down from the Hohe Mut Alm in Gurgl. It’s a challenging slope that really pushes your limits, but it’s also got such varied terrain that it keeps you sharp. Plus, the views from up there are just incredible.
S: Where’s the first place you go when there’s fresh snow, and low avy risk?
D: I’m heading straight to the Wurmkogl lifts. It’s an absolute powder playground up there, with wide-open bowls that allow you to really carve out some epic lines. There’s nothing like the feeling of floating through fresh snow. You have to check out the views first of course!
S: Where would you go when it’s totally tracked out?
D: I usually head to the Kirchenkarbahn. It’s a bit of a hidden gem with fewer crowds and some great lines left untouched even when the main runs are skied out. You can always find something exciting there, even later in the day.
S: Where’s the best tree run for when the weather’s bad?
D: Instead of tree runs, I prefer to do café/restaurant dashes in bad weather. Gurgl is high so there aren’t so many tree runs anyway, and there are plenty of awesome alpine restaurants. So if the visibility is bad, I often hop from one to another, and just pick up a few turns along the way!
S: What’s your favourite mountain restaurant, and what’s your favourite dish?
D: My favourite mountain restaurant has to be the Hohe Mut Alm. It’s got an incredible atmosphere, and the views are just out of this world. My go-to dish there is the Kaiserschmarrn [a kind of fluffy, shredded pancake]. It’s hearty, delicious and ticks the box for my weekly treat to myself.
S: Where’s your favourite place to eat and drink down in town?
D: It wouldn’t be fair to name just one restaurant. The food in Gurgl is always top-notch, and they’ve got a great selection of local specialties.
S: What about when you want to go to a bar? Or a late-night party spot?
D: As much as the locals try to get me out, I pretty much always have to be in bed by 10 when I’m training! To be fair, Gurgl is great for on-piste apres ski, and you can’t go too far wrong in any of the bars. My problem would be making it past bedtime if I started on the slopes though!
S: What’s the best time of the winter to visit Ötztal Gurgl?
D: The best time to visit Ötztal Gurgl is any time to be honest. With Gurgl being high you have great snow from the end of November until May.
Follow Dave Ryding on Instagram@dave_ryding
