Sölden Chalet Holiday Guide: Glaciers, Après-Ski and Where to Stay

Sölden is the resort for people who want two things from a ski week: skiing high enough to be confident about the snow, and evenings loud enough to need a lie-in. It sits at the head of the Ötztal in Tyrol, with two glaciers above it and one of Austria's busiest après-ski scenes in the village.

It is not a quiet hamlet, and it is not the obvious choice for a toddler's first lesson. For confident skiers and lively groups, it is hard to beat.

Sölden at a glance

Figures are from Sölden's mountain railways and Tyrol's tourist board, which give slightly different piste totals.

The skiing

The main area

Sölden's main ski area rises from the village on two gondolas, Giggijoch and Gaislachkogl. Most of the skiing is above the treeline, with long, wide runs for intermediates and steeper terrain for stronger skiers. The home runs to the village are long, and at the end of a busy day they can be crowded.

The glaciers

The Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers make Sölden one of Austria's most snow-sure resorts. They are linked to the main ski area by lifts, and there is also a glacier road. The glaciers usually open in autumn, well before the rest of the resort. Each October, the Rettenbach glacier hosts the opening races of the Alpine Ski World Cup.

On a cold, clear day, skiing on the glaciers is spectacular. In high winds or storms, the glacier lifts can close.

Above 3,000 metres

Three summits above 3,000 metres can be reached by lift. At the top of the Gaislachkogl, the ice Q restaurant and the 007 Elements installation, linked to the James Bond film Spectre, are worth a visit even for non-skiers with a pedestrian pass.

For how Sölden compares with other high resorts, read snow-sure, high-altitude ski resorts.

Who Sölden suits

Intermediates have plenty of long, wide, high runs, and the glaciers add variety.

Strong skiers get steeper runs, off-piste with a guide, and the snow that comes with altitude.

Groups of friends get one of the liveliest après-ski scenes in Austria and a long main street of bars and restaurants.

Families can make Sölden work with older, confident children. The nursery areas are mostly up the mountain, reached by gondola, so young beginners face a lift ride before every lesson. If your group includes small children or nervous first-timers, compare the best family ski resorts in Austria or Serfaus and Fiss.

Non-skiers can ride to the viewpoints, but there is less to do than in a town such as Kitzbühel or Zell am See.

Where to stay

Sölden is a long village stretched along the valley road and the river. The two main gondolas are at different ends of it, so where you stay shapes every morning.

Near the Giggijoch gondola

Good for skiers who want quick access to the main area and the route towards the glaciers. Close to some of the busiest après-ski bars, so it can be noisy.

Near the Gaislachkogl gondola

Good for access to the Gaislachkogl side and its high runs. Check the walk or bus to the other gondola if you plan to ski both sides.

In the centre

Good for restaurants, shops and evenings. Check the walk to the lifts in ski boots and whether the ski bus stops nearby.

Hochsölden

Hochsölden is a small cluster of hotels and chalets on the slopes above the village. It is as close to ski-in/ski-out as Sölden gets, and the mornings are quiet. Getting down to the village in the evening needs a lift, which stops at the end of the day, or a road transfer. Read ski-in/ski-out chalets for the questions to ask.

Quieter bases down the valley

Lower down the Ötztal, villages such as Oetz are quieter and have their own smaller ski areas. They suit families or groups who want a calmer evening. It is a drive or bus ride to Sölden's slopes.

Evenings and après-ski

Sölden's après-ski is famous, with bars at the bottom of the home runs that get busy as soon as the lifts close. If that is not your scene, choose a chalet away from the main bar clusters and ask about noise.

There are also good restaurants in the village and up the mountain. In busy weeks, book dinner ahead.

Getting there

Innsbruck is the nearest major airport, about 85 km away, and the usual choice. See ski resorts near Innsbruck Airport for more on the airport.

Munich and Zurich have more flights but longer transfers.

By rail, take the train to Ötztal station in the Inn valley, then a bus or taxi up the valley.

The last stretch of the road up the Ötztal can be slow on Saturdays in peak weeks. Allow time.

Season dates

Sölden's glacier usually opens in autumn, and the World Cup opener is held on the Rettenbach glacier in late October. The main ski area opens later and runs into spring. Exact dates vary each year and are subject to conditions, so check the resort's own website before booking a very early or very late week.

Sölden compared

• Sölden or Ischgl? Both are high, snow-sure and lively. Ischgl's Silvretta Arena crosses into Switzerland. Read the Ischgl chalet guide.
• Sölden or St Anton? St Anton has the larger Ski Arlberg area and more serious off-piste reputation. See St Anton vs Lech.
• Sölden or Mayrhofen? Mayrhofen is a town with two mountains and the Hintertux Glacier nearby. See the Mayrhofen guide.

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