Panoramic Ski Tour at lake Obernberg – Easy tour to Grubenkopf

Panoramic Skitour at picturesque Lake Obernberg – conquer Grubenkopf in Wipp Valley. A easy-medium difficult ski tour that features plenty of great panoramic views. All tipps, how to get there and a map for you included in this blog.

Somewhere between Innsbruck and Franzensfeste, and over the rainbow, lies the Wipp Valley. On this valley, which covers Tyrol (Austria) and South Tyrol (Italy), one special ski route awaits you. What’s so special about it? Well, scenically, this ski tour is probably one of the most beautiful in the entire Wipptal, and here you can find out how to experience (and photograph) everything yourself. Like always, you can count on Mountain Moments for a route map, photography tips and tricks, and much more.

Between the massive rocky flanks of the Tribulaunberge, the curved ridges of the Brenner Grenzkamm and above the Lake Obernberg (Obernberger See), the destination is the Grubenkopf. 

The ascent is varied, leads past the picturesquely situated Obernberger See and is also manageable for ski touring beginners. The ski tour to the Grubenkopf is done from early winter until spring. The avalanche situation rarely puts a spanner in the planning. With two and a half to three hours of ascent over 900 meters in altitude, this tour is doable for everyone.

Beginners better go only to the small yoke below the summit. The summit slope is mostly blown off since the entire border ridge is very exposed to foehn. The descent can be chosen steeper depending on your taste 

Route description! This is how your Grubenkopf-oriented skiing adventure looks like on a map

Starting point is at the (chargeable) parking lot or the bus stop at the head of the valley at the Waldesruh Inn (1439m). 

Via the forest road or alternatively, via the alpine meadows you climb to the Obernberger See (1594m). You reach the former closed Obernberger See inn, follow the shore for a bit and then climb to the left (south) in the forest. The forest belt is soon overcome – in the open, slightly stepped terrain the trail leads scenically to the Grubenjoch. On the mostly blown-off ridge it goes, somewhat steeper now, to the Grubenkopf summit (2337m). Descent as ascent. Descent variants at will. The entire basin can be skied and leads without major difficulties to the Obernberger See. After the inn at the lake directly to the right and follow the alpine meadows until shortly before the starting point.

Photo tips that will make your Instagram pop – Lake Obernberg and icy motifs

Depending on the time of year, Lake Obernberg is naturally the star of this loop. When the sun shines on the lake, which is almost always frozen in winter, the resulting ice floes offer interesting motifs. The region is known for its strong winds. If you time it well, you can capture these weather changes in pictures.

Mountain Moments Photo Workshops provide Photo Tours for everybody, Alpine Experience for beginners and intermediate-level photographers with 3 to 6-hour routes, as well as Summit Experience for more advanced photographers and hikers. We have private workshops and group classes.

More information about the Ski tour to Grubenkopf at Obernberg Lake

How to get there by: By car ride along the Brenner Highway (paid), leave at Matrei and follow the signs first to Steinach, then Gries. Here turn right to Obernberg. Follow the valley until the very last parking in the forest.

How to get there by public transport: By train to Gries am Brenner. Change to bus to Obernberg/Lake Obernberg and get off at the final stop. For an early tour start you must (currently) arrive by car.

Difficulty level: easy-medium

Duration/distance: 5h/11km   

Ascent/descent: 900m/900m   

Highest/lowest point: 2337m/1436m  

Refreshment stop: –

Start/finish: Obernberg Gasthof Waldesruh (bus stop) (coordinates: geogr. 47.005975,11.401985)  

Best time: Jan-Apr

Tips: Beginners only go as far as Grubenjoch or choose another easy point before that as a tour destination.

The best Winter Adventures in and around Innsbruck – Skiing, Freeride, Skitour and more

Fancy more Winter adventures in Tyrol and around Innsbruck? We got you covered! The best outdoor sports activities for Winter enthusiasts as eBook: Innsbruck Winter Outdoor Guide.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 activities with numerous photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful adventures around Innsbruck for yourself – including track infos, and maps and all other information that you need.

You can take a closer look at the Innsbruck ebook here– – why not share it with your adventure partner in crime?