So, what better place to start our season than in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl in Austria? Found in the Otztal valley, the resort is often the first non-glacier area to open its slopes each winter, with runs reaching up to 3082m and views just as good as you’d expect at those heights.

We went out to try out Obergurgl’s new “Top Mountain Cross Point” gondola, which takes riders from a delightful new restaurant and motorbike museum in the valley to the top of the mountain, rode some wonderful winter lines under bright blue skies… and even made it back in time to get our advent calendars sorted for December 1.

If you’re stalling over booking your winter holiday this season or are already all booked and buzzing to get out to the snow, here’s some snaps from the slopes to send your stoke into overdrive.

The snow generally lasts from mid-November till early May here, so if you’re looking for somewhere that guarantees pow – get it on the list.

The history of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is pretty damn interesting too. It shot into the public eye after Swiss professor Auguste Piccard crashed his hot air balloon there in 1931, after reaching a world record height of 16,000m.

Some children spotted the balloon crash and a mission was lead to save Mr. Piccard from Obergurgl. Stay tuned to Mpora for a full feature on that amazing story soon…

The restaurant sits on a narrow ridge over 3,000m high, on the Italian border, and lets you look out on the Ötz valley Alps up to the Dolomites.

If you’re keen to get out to Obergurgl-Hochgurl, your best bet is to fly to Munich or Innsbruck if possible, the latter of which is only 96km away. Somehow we doubt you’d regret making the journey…