Resort Information
Solden offers skiers and boarders two glaciers and multiple peaks above 3,000m, guaranteeing a great snow sure season (and even all year-round skiing). The Otztal Super Skipass and bus connections to Obergurgl further enhance its appeal. The resort’s global appeal was assisted increased in 2016, when a James Bond film (“Spectre”) was released with exhilarating scenes shot in Solden.
First and foremost, Obergurgl is snowsure. The main resort is located at only 1377m, but offers skiing over 3000m high where there are some spectacular observation points. It is very clear as to why the World Cup ski races start here as early as October.
The official stats suggest it’s only mid-sized (145kms of piste, 33 lifts), but it seems larger, because of the length and vertical of the runs. Keen confident skiers who want more more can buy the Otztal Super Skipass which gives access to 5 other ski areas, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, which is just 25 minutes away by bus. There is a varied offering of runs in Solden too. The ski schools also come highly recommended too.
And don’t forget about the apres ski, which starts early in the mountain bars and continues into the small hours back in the resort. Hochsolden, sitting much higher up the mountain, is much quieter.
Key Facts
Ski Area
108km
Ski Range
1377m – 3250m
Blue Runs
36%
Red Runs
44%
Black Runs
20%
Season
December – April
Accommodation
Hotel Alpina
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Hotel Die Berge
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Hotel Erhart
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Hotel Bergland
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Hotel Das Central
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Hotel Tyrolerhof
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Useful Information
Beginners
Beginners have the delights of getting to grips with a few T-bars at the top of the Innerwald chair. There is a restaurant and apres ski bar at its base, allowing for some rest time in between classes/practising technique. Once you’ve got the basics right, the next place to go is the little Minilift 16 at the top of Giggijochbahn from where you can link to the wonder of the glaciers.
Intermediates
Solden is perfect for intermediate cruisers to rack up the miles on wonderfully groomed (and long) red and blue pistes. The vast and wide glacier skiing is always a highlight. Once you have had your carving fix, head to the bottom right of Rettenbach for some moguls. Solden also has six kilometres of ski routes, marked on the piste map with dotted lines and diamonds. These are all within the reach of adventurous intermediates.
Advanced
Only a small percentage of Solden’s pistes are black with a some punchy mogul runs off Hainbachjoch and below Rotkuglhutte on Piste 17. The most accessible off piste skiing is found in Wasserkar beneath Gaislachkogl down to the midstation. More black pistes intercept these descents towards the bottom. There is extensive ski touring beyond the lift-serviced area. The area’s signature ski journey is called the Big 3 Rally, a 50 kilometre journey that takes around 4 hours, encompasses an elevation gain of around 10,000 metres – and splendid 360 degree views much of the way. The route involves skiing through the 170 metre ski tunnel that connects the two glaciers and end the day buy whooshing down the winding ski route through Rettenbach Valley. One more gondola ride, up the Gaislachkogl to 3,058 metres, and you’ll arrive at the final Big 3 panorama platform.
Snowboarders
Again, and as stated in our Obergurgl page, this is not a a great area for snowboarders. That being said, slopes are wide and uncongested and the gondolas and chairlifts lifts are great from a snowboarder’s point of view.
10 minutes down the road from Solden is the Aqua Dome Spa Center
It’s spacious architecture, embedded in Otztal’s stunning mountain scenery, make a perfect combination of scenic Alpine landscape and natural building materials like wood, stone and glass. The large thermal spa area is located in the heart of the AQUA DOME. Entering this giant spa dome is a truly unique experience you should not miss! Google it and you will see why we highly recommend it.
Paragliding
Novice paragliders can try a tandem flight together with an experienced guide. You believe you can fly. It’s so easy; you are just a few steps away from this truly unique feeling. A certified tandem pilot takes care of you and makes your flying dreams come true.
BMW experience
What better way to practice driving on ice, than being surrounded by the glorious mountains. It doesn’t come cheap but you will experience the ideal conditions in Solden for your winter driving experience. Powerful BMW models, the professional instructors and varied training courses offer ideal conditions to make you a better driver in winter by optimising your driving technique at the same time. Here you can book multiple courses or day trails to get the BMW experience. Keep safe and have fun at the same time. Perfect for your inner big kid!
Cross-country skiing
Scenic and perfectly groomed Nordic tracks await your discovery in Solden. This makes a true paradise for lovers of Nordic sports as the entire valley offers more than 195 kilometres of perfectly groomed cross-country skiing tracks. Especially the wide open basin of Langenfeld is a wonderful spot for endless Nordic loops. If you enjoy endurance sports or scenic routes, this is well worth a try.
Ice skating
Ice skating is a sport for all the friends and family to enjoy this winter. Here you can skate around the indoor rink, or if you are lucky and the weather is right, you can enjoy ice skating in Solden’s outdoor area, a truly unique feeling under the starry sky. Ice skating provides a sense of weightlessness, calling to mind childhood dreams of freedom. As it is a very elegant activity off the beaten tracks, ice skating makes a great alternative to Alpine skiing or snowboarding. Adults cost 7,00 euros and children are 5,00 euros. Monday 02.00 pm – 07.00 pm, Tuesday 02.00 pm – 09.00 pm, Wednesday 02.00 pm – 07.00 pm, Thursday 02.00 – 09.00 pm, from 05.00 pm ICE DISCOFriday 02.00 pm – 06.00 pm, 06.00 pm – 09.00 pm. Ice hockey for kids Sunday 02.00 pm – 09.00 pm.
View the live snow report for Solden here
Children and families Solden/family offers Solden
The Skischule Solden-Hochsolden offers childcare for children between 6 months and 3 years old. The kindergartens are located in Innerwald (accessible from Solden without a ski pass) and on the Giggijjoch. There are many well-equipped children’s areas. The little ones will feel right at home on the Giggijoch.
Special offers for families Solden
Children’s area run by the Skischule Yellow Power on the Giggijoch. The children’s area is centrally located at the mountain station of the Giggijoch lift and is very well equipped. The little ones will feel right at home on the magic carpet with funny figures.
Children’s area run by the Skischule Yellow Power on the Giggijoch
The children’s area is located at the mountain station of the Giggijoch lift and offers the best conditions for practicing the first curves in the snow.
Children’s area run by the Skischule Solden-Hochsolden in Innerwald
The children’s area is located at the Innerwald beginner ski area a bit above Solden. It is easily accessible with the free Zentrumshuttle (short funicular) that leads up from Solden. The well-equipped children’s area is located directly at the Innerwald beginner tow lifts.
Area Map
Hotel Alpina
Hotel Die Berge
Hotel Erhart
Hotel Bergland
Hotel Das Central
Hotel Tyrolerhof
Getting There
Located in Tirol, the Otztal valley branches off to the south and is the longest side valley of the Eastern Alps.
By Plane
Both major airlines – such as Easyjet, Austrian Airlines, British Airways or Lufthansa – as well as smaller companies land and take off at Innsbruck Airport on a daily or weekly basis.
By Road
By Car
Arriving by car, you travel along Inntal valley until you reach the entrance to Otztal, where you follow the federal road. Besides the toll motorway you can also travel on federal roads.
By Bus
The public bus takes holiday makers from the airport or from Otztal Bahnhof to their holiday destination and back again inexpensively and easily. The coordinated timetable promises direct connections if you arrive by train or plane.
Public transport systems are very well developed in Otztal, bus lines are running at short intervals and have numerous stops between Otztal-Bahnhof and the rear end of the valley.
By Train
Skiers can reach Otztal by train from all directions. Seven daily direct connections take guests from Zurich to Otztal-Bahnhof in only 3 hours without having to change trains. Also the Railjet towards Bludenz via Arlberg pass stops in Otztal-Bahnhof every two hours. In winter, there is even an additional route from Munich to St. Anton am Arlberg, which stops in Otztal-Bahnhof. The journey from the north can be made overnight with OBB Nightjet (from Hamburg or Dasseldorf via Nuremberg and Munich to Innsbruck). So you won’t lose a single day.