Skiing in Sölden: How to Plan a Trip to Austria’s Glacier Resort

Having just returned from a memorable trip skiing in Sölden, I will share my insights to help you plan your trip to this renowned Austrian resort.

As someone who’s been skiing for over 25 years, with experience in destinations across France, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, and the US, I understand the concerns that many skiers have when considering a trip to a new region.

If you’re unfamiliar with the area, wondering where to book accommodation, how to get there, or whether skiing in late March is worth it, you’re not alone. This is how I felt before my trip to Solden Ski Resort.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from the best places to stay in Sölden, and how to navigate the resort.

The Sölden Ski Resort offers fantastic skiing well into April thanks to its glacier slopes, and I’ll also share tips on how to make the most of your trip when the snow softens in the afternoons.

I aim to give you practical advice and expert insights, ensuring your trip to the Ötztal region is as enjoyable as possible.

If you are looking for tips on where to eat in Solden, you can find my guide to the best restaurants and bars in Solden here.

Getting to Sölden

Private Transfers

The most convenient way to reach Sölden from Innsbruck Airport is by private transfer.

We used Ted’s Transfers and were very happy with the service. The vehicles were in excellent condition—we had a van on the way there and a car on the way back.

Ted was punctual, well-organised, and reconfirmed our pick-up times in the days prior. He was also friendly and shared helpful tips about the area during the drive. He is a native English speaker who has lived in Austria for years, so communication was easy.

We considered taking public transport but ultimately chose a private transfer for ease. Our accommodation was a 5–10 minute walk from the nearest bus stop, and carrying ski equipment would have been inconvenient.

Additionally, we weren’t familiar with the bus system and didn’t want to risk delays, especially with an evening arrival. The private transfer was a hassle-free alternative.

I spent a long time researching all the airport transfer companies, such as Four Seasons Tirol Taxi. However, I did not book it, even though it was cheaper, because it was unclear if we would get dropped off directly at our accommodation or a central location in Solden. Plus, you share with others, so there may be other stops along the journey.

Some companies have cheaper prices, but the service is not as personalised as a local Sölden/Ötztal Valley transport company. Plus, you will get the exact vehicle and driver you’ve booked. Other companies may contract out their services and cannot guarantee the type of vehicle.

Check if your transfer company takes payment by card or cash. If so, withdraw the money before leaving your home. We made the mistake of not getting any cash out beforehand and then we got stung by ATM fees in Solden.

Note: We also needed cash to buy food and drink at some bars and restaurants in Solden and Obergurgl, as card payments were not accepted.

If you bring your ski equipment from home, I highly recommend booking a private transfer or a rental car. If you are not packing your skis, you can check prices for ski rentals here.

Car Rental

Renting a car is another good option, particularly if you want flexibility or plan to explore other ski resorts. The drive from Innsbruck to Sölden is straightforward, and when we visited in March, there was no snow at the village level, making the roads easy to navigate.

Depending on availability, the cost of a rental car could be similar to booking private transfers, especially if you’re travelling as a group.

That said, you don’t need a car once you’re in Sölden. The supermarkets and restaurants are all within walking distance, and the bus system is efficient and easy to use. We took the ski bus from Sölden to Obergurgl, and it was a simple and reliable way to get around.

If you want to rent a car, you can compare prices here.

Public Transport

For those on a budget, public transport is an option, though it requires multiple connections. To reach Sölden town from Innsbruck Airport:

1. Take a bus or taxi to Innsbruck Central Station.
2. Board a train to Ötztal Bahnhof (Ötztal Valley Station).
3. From Ötztal Bahnhof, take a bus or taxi to Sölden.

The train journey from Innsbruck to Ötztal Bahnhof takes around 30–40 minutes, and buses from Ötztal to Sölden run regularly.

However, be mindful of bus schedules. Also, consider whether your accommodation is close to a bus stop—if not, you may have to walk with your ski equipment and suitcases.

Otherwise, leave your skis at home and rent your snow equipment to make your life easier.

Where to Stay in Sölden?

Sölden has a range of hotels, apartments, and guesthouses, many offering ski storage and easy lift access. Your choice of location can impact your experience, so here are some key factors to consider:

Choosing the Right Location

• Windau – A quieter area, close to restaurants and supermarkets. However, it’s near farms, so on warmer days (like late March), you might notice a manure smell if windows are open. In deep winter, this isn’t an issue.
• Near the Gondolas – Convenient for quick access to the slopes, but can be noisy due to traffic and people walking home from après-ski. Consider which lift you’re closer to:
  • Gaislachkoglbahn – Closer to more intermediate and advanced runs.
  • Giggijochbahn – Better for beginners and easier runs.
• Hotels with Shuttle Services – Some hotels offer private shuttles to the lifts, so you do not need to stay within walking distance of a gondola.
• Ski Bus Accessibility – The ski bus system is free with a lift pass and easier to use than expected. Almost all guests receive Guest Cards, which include free winter bus use, and no proof of ticket is usually required. Staying near a bus stop expands your accommodation options.
• Nightlife Considerations – Sölden has a few strip clubs and nightclubs, which can be an eyesore and noise nuisance. One strip club to be aware of is Rodelhütte, which is directly opposite Hotel Regina (4-Superior), Alpenliebe, and Gästehaus Martin Brugger. While I’m unsure about noise issues, it’s something to consider. However, those hotels and guest houses all seem to have great reviews, so it may be fine, but good to be aware of.

Luxury Hotels in Sölden

For a high-end stay, these hotels offer spa facilities, excellent restaurants, and stylish rooms:

• The Secret Sölden – Modern luxury suites, an indoor-outdoor pool, and a rooftop bar.
• Die Berge Lifestyle Hotel – A boutique hotel with a rooftop infinity pool and mountain views.
• Bergland Design- und Wellnesshotel – This hotel has an impressive wellness area and was featured in the James Bond film Spectre.
• Das Central – One of Sölden’s most renowned 5-star hotels, with a Michelin-recommended restaurant and an extensive spa.

Apartment Stays in Sölden

Gustl’s Ferienhäusl

We booked Gustl’s Ferienhäusl and we were immediately happy with our choice. It was a short walk from the gondola, which was convenient. It was also in a quiet part of town – far from the noisy apres-ski bars. However, it wasn’t too far out of town, so we could still walk to the supermarket and restaurants.

The apartment we booked was spacious enough for 2 people and it was handy having the kitchen. Although, it did not have an oven, so we could only cook stove-top meals. Our host arranged for bread or pastry delivery each morning, which was a great perk.

We really appreciated the ski storage room where there were boot warmers and plenty of room for our skis.

The main negative we found was that you could not control the temperature in the room, so we felt hot at night.

• Type: Apartments for 1 – 3 people or 2 – 5 people
• Location: 5-minute walk to Gaislachkoglbahn lift, 12-minute walk to the supermarket
• Pros: Quiet, well-equipped kitchen, boot warmers
• Cons: Can’t control the room temperature; felt hot at night
• Check availability for Gustl’s Ferienhäusl

A Casa Juwel Apartment

We originally booked A Casa Juwel Apartment when we planned to travel as a group of four, and it was an excellent option. It offers spacious, modern apartments close to the slopes. You can use the funicular to go from the apartment to Sölden town.

• Type: One, two, and three-bedroom apartments
• Location: Close to the slopes, with easy lift access to the village
• Pros:
  • Ski storage room with a boot dryer
  • Great balcony views
  • Spacious layout for groups
• Cons: Some guests stored their skis and boards on the balcony due to limited ski storage space
• Check availability for Casa Juwel Apartment

Grünwald Resort Sölden

(Newly built option I considered)

• Type: Apartment resort with ski-in, ski-out access
• Location: Close to Panorama Alm, which can get noisy in the afternoons due to après-ski
• Pros: Spacious apartments with private saunas available
• Cons: Possible noise from après-ski crowds
• Check availability for Grunwald Resort

Other Apartments in Sölden

• Hotel Garni Hainbacherhof – Studio apartment, 5-minute walk to ski lift, but can be noisy at night.
• Appartements Belledonne – Ski-in, ski-out, quiet, sauna available, but a 30-minute walk to town (or use a lift from 8 am–8 pm).
• Apart Gletscherblick – Central location 120m from Giggijochbahn, but loud après-ski noise.

The Skiing in Sölden

Sölden offers a fantastic skiing experience, with 150km of pistes spread across three main sectors, including two glaciers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier, there’s a wide variety of runs to suit every level.

The BIG 3 Rally in Sölden challenges you to ski all three of the resort’s highest peaks—Gaislachkogl (3,058 m), Tiefenbachkogl (3,250 m), and Schwarze Schneid (3,340 m)—in a single day.

You will around 50 km of slopes and over 5,200 metres of vertical descent, so it’s a full-day adventure. If you’re a confident skier looking for a goal to structure your day around, this is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the entire Sölden ski area.

Here’s an overview of the best runs and where to ski for the best conditions.

Overview of the Ski Area

• 150km of Pistes
• Three Main Ski Sectors
• Two Glaciers: Rettenbach and Tiefenbach

Ski Lift Tickets in Sölden

When planning your ski trip to Sölden, purchase your lift ticket in advance online to take advantage of the best prices. You should buy your lift pass at least a week before your trip to secure the cheaper rate.

You can easily purchase your lift pass online from the ski ticket shop. Once you’ve booked, you can conveniently pick up your lift ticket from one of the automated machines near the lifts, which are open 24/7.

We also opted to add a ski rescue card to our order, which was included with the lift ticket. Thankfully, we didn’t need to use the rescue assistance.

Be aware that ticket prices fluctuate depending on the time of year and day, therefore, you may notice some price variation across different periods.

Where to Ski for the Best Snow in Solden?

For the best conditions, head to the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers in the morning for quieter, high-quality snow. The snow here tends to be in good condition, especially early in the day.

• Blue 13 and Blue 23: These are great for skiing towards the Glacier, with Blue 23 offering some of my favourite views in Sölden.
• Red 11: A challenging red run, but you’ll need to do it if you’re skiing it to reach certain lifts or restaurants. It requires good technique as it can get steep and tricky in places.

My Favourite Runs on the Gaislachkogl Side

Gaislachkogl is one of the best areas for skiers who want to enjoy challenging and scenic runs.

• Red 1: A fun red run where you’ll also see some James Bond sights. This area offers stunning views and is a must for fans of Spectre!

My Favourite Runs on the Giggijoch Side

On the Giggijoch side, you’ll find a mix of blue and red runs. Plus, some of my favourite mountain views.

Getting to the Glaciers

• From Gaislachkogl, take the A10 gondola up, but do not connect to A11.
• Ski down Blue 6 and take the C31 chairlift, then continue on Blue 23 towards the glaciers. You’ll eventually connect to the ski tunnel and be able to access the glacier area.
• From Giggijoch, take the C30 gondola, then the C35 chairlift, and ski the blue 23. Continue as you would from the Gaislachkogl side.

It may take a bit longer to get there due to the numerous chairlifts and gondolas you need to take, but once you arrive, the views and runs are worth it.

Favourite Runs on the Solden Glaciers

Sölden’s glaciers offer some of the best skiing in the region. The glacier runs are wide and open, so we would return multiple times to ski the same slope.

• Run 38 (Glacier): A blue run, wide open, and perfect for skiing again and again. You can start the run from multiple points, including the ski tunnel and E66 gondola. It’s an excellent choice for a fun, easy-going run. You can end on Run 39 and then start the loop again, or if you want a different path, take the E65 lift back up and ski Runs 34 or 33 down.
• Run 32 (Glacier): This is another excellent option, but be careful when you turn onto Run 35, as it leads to Run 31, a steep black run. We made the mistake of not turning in time, but as experienced skiers, it wasn’t a huge issue.

Skiing Toward the Village

• The runs heading toward the village tend to get choppy in the afternoon as the snow becomes slushy with all the skiers. After a long day on the slopes, it can be quite a strain, especially on tired legs. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to take the gondola back down.
• If you find yourself on the other side of town at the gondola base, you can easily hop on a bus to get back to the other side. This makes it easy to avoid the long ski down if you’re exhausted.

Where to Ski in Bad Weather?

If the weather isn’t ideal in Sölden, or you want to escape the crowds, a great backup option is Hoch Ötz. Although it’s a smaller resort, it’s an excellent spot when Sölden is crowded or the weather is windy and the lifts shut in Solden or Obergurgl.

Ted from Ted’s Transfers recommended Hoch Ötz as a hidden gem. Often it doesn’t look snowy from the valley, but once you take the gondola up, you’ll be surprised by the snow conditions.

It’s worth checking out if you’re looking for a change of scenery or a quieter, more relaxed experience on stormy days.

For information on how to dress while skiing, check out my guide to layering your ski gear.

Skiing in Solden in March

We booked our ski trip to Sölden for late March to avoid the school holidays and enjoy some skiing late in the season. However, we were a bit nervous about the snow conditions.

We needn’t have worried, as late March was an excellent time to experience skiing in Sölden. The high-altitude resort offers reliable snow conditions and extended seasons, thanks to its glacier ski area, which includes the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers.

These areas operate from mid-September or early October to late April or early May, ensuring excellent slopes, even as spring sets in. We found the snow on the glaciers to be consistent, and the snow cannons scattered around the resort assist in maintaining the quality.

Tips: Start your ski day early, as the snow can get churned up in the afternoon. It’s possible to ski to the bottom of the resort, but the conditions can become challenging from the slush. So on several occasions we took the lift down instead of skiing down

Skiing higher up on the glaciers tends to provide the best conditions, so if you’re visiting in late March, it’s wise to spend more time skiing on the glacier slopes.

Skiing at Obergurgl Ski Resort

It’s very easy to take a bus from Sölden to Obergurgl and it has regular services throughout the day. The journey is short and straightforward, making it a great option for a day trip to explore a different ski area.

One thing to note is that Sölden’s lifts open at 8:00 AM, while Obergurgl opens at 9:00 AM, so there’s no need to rush for the first lift if you’re heading over for the day.

You cannot ski between the two resorts, and it’s worth mentioning that you shouldn’t take the bus to another ski town during heavy snowfall, as the road between Sölden and Obergurgl can close in bad weather. If that happens, buses stop running and you could end up stuck in the wrong town.

That said, skiing in Obergurgl is a nice change of pace, especially if you’re spending multiple days in the Ötztal Valley. You can use the Ötztal lift pass to access Obergurgl and Hochgurgl, though we liked skiing in Obergurgl to Hochgurgl. The runs were fun and varied, and there were some great views.

We also had memorable stops at Hohe Mut Alm and Nederhütte, two fantastic mountain restaurants in Obergurgl that are well worth a visit for lunch or drinks. They offer a great atmosphere and tasty food.

Best Activities for Non-Skiers in Sölden

Elements – James Bond Experience

One of the top activities for non-skiers in Sölden is a visit to Elements, a James Bond-themed exhibition located at the Gaislachkogl top station.

The exhibition celebrates the Bond films shot in Sölden, particularly scenes from Spectre. It’s a must-see for any James Bond fan, and even if you’re not a huge fan like me, it’s still an enjoyable experience.

We didn’t need to book tickets online ahead of time, as there was plenty of availability when we visited in late March. But I’d recommend checking the website to see if it starts to sell out, especially during busier periods.

You can show up in your ski gear (in fact, we were in ski boots with no issues as the flooring is concrete and there are no stairs). However, Elements is unheated, so if you’re visiting in regular clothes, it’s a good idea to wear a hat, gloves, and warm clothing. We kept our helmets on.

Non-skiers should also bring snow boots, as you’ll need to walk on some snow to exit the exhibition area.

The experience takes around 30 minutes to an hour to enjoy, depending on how much time you want to spend exploring the exhibits. There’s a cinema room showcasing clips from the film featuring the Sölden scenes, which adds context to the location and was a highlight.

After your visit, you can ski back down to Sölden or take the gondola for a more leisurely ride.

If you are a big fan of James Bond, you should visit Matera in Italy and Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands – I have itineraries for both.

Aquadome Spa

For those looking to relax and unwind after a day on the slopes, Aquadome Spa is a fantastic option. It is located in Längenfeld, just a short bus ride from Sölden. The bus to the spa is regular, making it an easy and convenient day trip if you’re staying in Sölden.

The spa has indoor and outdoor pools, as well as an extensive sauna area.

If you plan on visiting the sauna areas, be aware that sauna etiquette in Austria requires nudity, though you are allowed to wrap yourself in a towel. It’s important to note that many people in the sauna areas opt to be fully nude, so it’s best to go with an open mind.

Some people note that the spa can get busy, so if you have a hot tub or spa in your accommodation, you may be able to skip this activity and stay locally instead.

Tobogganing in Sölden

For a unique and exhilarating experience, consider night tobogganing in Sölden every Wednesday evening. The Gaislachkogl toboggan run, one of Austria’s longest at 7.3 km, is illuminated for this special event, offering a thrilling descent under the stars.

Key Details:

• Operating Times: From mid-December to mid-March, the Gaislachkogl gondola operates additionally from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm on Wednesdays. The last toboggan run starts at 9:30 pm and fully closes at 10:00 pm.
• Toboggan Rentals: Toboggans can be rented from shops near the Gaislachkogl base station. It’s advisable to rent in advance, especially during peak times.

Safety Tips:

• You must wear a helmet when tobogganing.
• Adhere to the operating times; the toboggan run is closed outside these hours, and unauthorised use is strictly prohibited.
• Avoid tobogganing after drinks.
• Wear sturdy boots and appropriate winter clothing. You cannot go on the toboggan in your ski boots.
• Stay on the marked toboggan run; using ski slopes for tobogganing is not allowed.

Conclusion

Sölden is an excellent choice for a ski trip with its 100% snow guarantee due to its high-altitude glacier ski areas.

Here are some key takeaways from this guide:

• Where to Stay: If you’re looking for convenience and a more laid-back experience, there are plenty of apartment options like Gustl’s Ferienhäusl and A Casa Juwel, offering easy access to the slopes and a cosy atmosphere. For those seeking more luxury, consider staying at places like Das Central or Bergland Design und Wellnesshotel, which offer world-class amenities including spas and fine dining.
• How to Get to Sölden: It’s straightforward to reach Sölden from Innsbruck, with a private transfer or its regular bus network. Renting a car is also a good option if you want flexibility.

Whether you’re planning your first ski trip to Austria, or you are a regular, I hope this guide has made planning your ski trip to Solden easier. You can also find my guide on where to eat when visiting Solden Ski Resort.

For more tips on making the most of your skiing adventures, check out these articles:

• How to Dress for Skiing: Essential gear to keep you comfortable and warm.
• Best Ski Resorts Near Geneva Airport: Discover ski areas with easy access from Geneva.
• Portes du Soleil Ski Region in France: A guide to one of Europe’s largest ski areas.
• Bernex Ski Resort in France: A hidden gem for a quieter ski experience.
• Guide to Skiing in Whistler: Everything you need to know about Canada’s premier ski destination.
• Tips for Skiing in Whistler vs Blackcomb: A comparison of two of Canada’s best mountains.

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