Situated in the western Ötztal Valley, the tagline for Austria’s largest standalone ski resort is ‘think big, think Sölden’ - and when you factor in the two glaciers, 144km of slopes, three peaks above 3000m and a municipality that is the third largest tourist destination in the country, it’s easy to see why. While the once-village has developed beyond its quaint origins, it has a rich cultural history - the famous Ötzi mummy (also called The Iceman) was found near here, and it’s estimated that he lived sometime around 3400 and 3100 BC. It was also used as a filming location for much of Spectre, the 24th film in the James Bond franchise (there’s a very cool immersive experience here as a result).

While some might say that the resort centre has lost its charming alpine appearance due to the addition of commercial shops, restaurants and bars, there are still lots of traditional buildings to be admired, including one of the very oldest that dates back to the 13th Century - the Gästeheim Berghof.

The resort level is 1377m, but with the huge ski area and three glaciers with state-of-the-art lifts, you can easily reach the 3340m peaks and enjoy 1990m of vertical. With most of the terrain sitting over the 2000m ‘snow-sure’ mark, Sölden tends to be a safe bet for good conditions and is north and east facing, avoiding the most intense sun without feeling gloomy. While it’s not necessarily known for off-piste riding, there’s a good amount of it to be found for the willing and experienced rider. In general, this is a busy, popular resort with a vibrant après scene and colossal ski area.

What is the Skiing like in Sölden?

Known for its ‘BIG 3’ peaks of Gaislachkogl (3048m), Tiefenbachkogl (3250m) and Schwarze Schneide (3340m), the terrain of Sölden’s ski area is vast and varied. There are pistes both above and below the treeline, opening up the options should the weather take a turn. To really get your ski legs, opt to take Austria’s longest ski run on Schwarze Schneid, a 15km long blue run from the Rettenbach glacier (3,250m) with stunning views out over the Italian Dolomites.

The entire resort is well suited to intermediates and Sölden overall does have a great reputation for wide, cruisey slopes. Beginners will probably favour the more mellow runs of the Giggijoch area on the eastern side of resort, where there is a range of really nice blue runs. You’ll also find the snowpark on this side, which is called Area 47 and offers a decent mix of features, jumps and incredible views.

There are a few dedicated freeride areas should you be looking for something more technical and tricky, with Gaislachkogl offering a range of couloirs, cliff drops and everything in between. Should you be lucky enough to score a powder day during your trip, the Giggijoch area offers some insane lines that eventually take you down into the trees and back to resort. To make the most of it though (and not end up getting lost) we suggest investing in one of the many guiding services available.

Where to eat out in Sölden?

As well as the terrain, the culinary options on offer in Sölden are massive. On the mountain, there are casual huts, gourmet restaurants and umbrella bars all offering stunning spots to refuel at. If you’re looking to push the boat out a little during your stay, or simply want to dine like an international spy, Ice Q at the Gaislachkogl top station (which also makes it accessible for pedestrians) is a stunning space designed quite literally to look like an ice cube perched on the top of a mountain. Used as one of the filming locations for Spectre, it also offers a very special ‘Summit Dinner’ 5-course evening sitting once a week. Back down at the resort level, you can find almost any cuisine you want in the countless restaurants and bistros. There are steakhouses, pizzerias and cosy alpine venues serving delicious fondue - don’t miss out on that.

Après Ski in Sölden

Sölden’s après - much like all the other Austrian ski resorts - is the stuff of legend. There’s apparently a ‘ski-in, ski-out lap dancing club’ and a range of umbrella bars that create an open-air disco vibe on the slopes.

Kuckuck is a popular first stop, sitting at the bottom of the Giggijoch lift and offering a huge terrace, which is perfect for sunny days along with its neighbour, Giggi Tenne. Phillip is a central option with a legendary reputation, while Schrimbar Sonne has a resident DJ that knows how to get the party started.

In terms of nightclubs, Katapult is an impressive club-bar-lounge hybrid with two dancefloors, girls on podiums and pyrotechnics. What more could you want?

Is Sölden good for Families & Non-Skiers?

Families with little ones can enjoy the dedicated ski school and, when riding together, should head to the Fun Slope at Giggijoch, a 680m long mixed-feature slope of park and boardercross with things like humps, waves, sharp turns and tunnels. There’s also the usual menu of other activities such as tobogganing, ice skating and an adventure pool in the wellness-centre-cum-aqua-play Freizeit Arena Sölden.

Non-skiers can enjoy the usual physical activities such as snow-shoeing, hikes through the stunning terrain and warming wellness sessions. However, the must-do here is the 007 Elements experience, an immersive cinematic installation perched atop the summit of Gaislachkogl at 3050m. You’ll walk through underground galleries where you can admire the gadgets, vehicles, cars and BTS development of the James Bond franchise. It’s also a great excuse to invest in a pedestrian pass if you’re not skiing, and enjoy some of the mountain scenery while you’re at it. Just remember to book your tickets in advance.
Accommodation Options

Sölden is a large municipality with plenty of accommodation on offer, ranging from self-catering through to a fully-fledged five-star experience. If you want to be in the centre of it all (keep in mind this might mean being close to the thriving après scene) then opt for literally the centre of town. If you’d rather be set in a quieter ski-in, ski-out area, there are plenty of apartments scattered around the area directly beneath the gondolas.

Environment and Sustainability

There’s a range of environmental efforts at play in Sölden. Shuttle busses are provided for all staff working in the resort, ensuring the safe and eco-conscious arrival of essential employees.

The breathtaking summit restaurant of Ice Q is an entirely glass structure, allowing the building to increase the amount of passive energy recovery from natural sources. When creating new ski runs or altering existing ones, the terrain is covered in a 20cm thick layer of manure, peat and water to restore and protect the terrain. After that, alpine grass is planted.

Pros & Cons of Sölden

Pros

• A huge ski area
• Mixed terrain suitable for everyone
• Lots of choice when it comes to activities, bars and restaurants
• Thriving après scene (may also be a con for some)
• Snow-sure altitudes

Cons

• Expensive
• Gets VERY crowded