Solden

Sölden Ski Resort at a Glance
Base Elevation: 1350M (4,429′)
Summit Elevation: 3,340M (10,958′), 3 peaks over 3,000 meters
Vertical Drop: 1990M (6,129′)
Lifts: 31
Trails: 147 kilometers of ski trails (aka prepared pistes), 2 glaciers.

Solden is in Tirol’s beautiful Otztal valley, perfect for a luxury Austria ski getaway. Spread out across three mountains of 10,000+ feet, and two glaciers – the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach Gletscher, you have lots of high elevation terrain, and typically good snow.

Solden is huge, and high-elevation for good snow assurance, with amazing scenery from their “Big 3” (3 peaks at 3000+ meters) glass viewing platforms. In addition to all this great skiing and scenery, and modern lifts, Solden has over 30 charming mountain chalets serving traditional Austrian lunches, and a high-tech James Bond “Spectre” exhibit – the 007 movie was filmed at Solden in 2015.

Solden has three mountain sections, Gaislachkogl, Giggijoch and the Glaciers. The Giggijoch upper mountain plateau, has numerous wide prepared pistes, usually sunny, served by overlapping high-capacity lifts, very popular for families and intermediate skiers. From here you access the connecting lifts to the glaciers.

Skiing on Solden’s two glaciers offers the best snow due to its elevation, often in the sun, with spectacular views, shimmering glacier ice visible, and wide-open terrain. The Rettenbach Glacier at 10,859-feet and Tiefenbach Glacier at 10,849-feet are training grounds for Ski Teams (since its open October to May) and host of World Cup races. It’s fun to ski through a tunnel that connects the two glaciers.

Gaislachkogl Mountain is reached from Solden’s via 2 high capacity gondolas. The second upper mountain 30 passenger gondola brings you up to the James Bond “Spectre” Elements exhibit. There is just one very long intermediate ski trail off the summit. Gaislachkogl has 4 more chair lifts with numerous trails, a few terrain parks, and several chalet restaurants. There’s night skiing one night a week here, plus the 7-kilometer Rodel run. Yes you can sled at night! Yikes! One of our favorite runs was the long (1695M, 5,561′) ski down from the Gaislachkogl summit all the way to the base and Solden village.

Solden’s ski lifts are incredible, cable cars, trams and gondolas, six and eight pack bubble chairs deliver over 70,000 skiers per hour. Compare that to Vail’s at 53,000! Solden can get busy during holidays, particularly on the prepared pistes, aka groomed runs, with these huge capacity lifts. While you don’t wait in long lift lines, you may encounter crowded slopes.

Solden is a mix of modern and traditional, from the lifts and chalets to base village and ski town vibe… read on below…

Solden’s chalets and umbrella bars for lunch and apres ski are a highlight.
Stabele Schirmbar serves THE best burgers in Austria, pulled pork and ribs too, in an umbrella bar restaurant – at the Stabele lift base off Trail 30. Chef Alex derived his place in the Alps inspired by American BBQ. Try his homemade pine schnapps too and tell him we say hi!

Gampe Thaya is an authentic 300-year-old farmhouse in the middle of the mountain with cowbells, old Austrian woodwork and ski memorabilia. Their delicious homemade fondue, goulash soup and Austrian schnitzel brings in locals and frequent visitors. On sunny afternoons, a beer or wine and cheese plate on the deck is an excellent choice with grand views of the Otztal valley.

Solden village is an amalgamation of Austrian charm and modern chic. Wood chalet hotels sit next to modern glass ski shops, rowdy après ski bars and even late-night strip clubs line the main street between the two base Gondolas. Solden is not as historic or charming as St Anton or Kitzbuhel.

Solden Lodging
Hotel Valentin is a full-service lodge, offering breakfast and dinner included, located right next to the Gaislachkogl gondola, so close to the lift and center of town, shops and après ski. Valentin also has its own après ski bar downstairs – the Halli Valli rocks from 4-7pm with live DJs.

Valentin Design Apartments is same ownership – this posh new condo-style building two blocks away features fully-appointed modern chic apartments with kitchen, fireplace, living space. Amenities include a rooftop spa for guests, plus underground parking and a ski and boot room. Stay here if you wish to cook in during your stay and have more space versus a traditional hotel room. This luxury building is right at the base of the rodel trail, which is humorous to watch, and a very short walk to the gondola!

Hotel Bergland is a 4-star lifestyle hotel, built in 2010 by one of the partners that own Solden Ski Resort, with modern alpine décor rooms, a rooftop Sky Spa, elegant dining and breakfast buffet, Lounge, Sun Deck, and ski shop with valet.
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Solden is great high elevation skiing in the beautiful Otztal Valley, on the Snow Card Tirol, and near Obergurgl Hochgurgl. Solden is easily reached flying into Innsbruck or Munich.
See more on Austria ski vacations and Top Reasons to Ski Austria.

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