Lying to the southwest of Innsbruck in the state of Tyrol, Solden Otztal-Arena is a large and lively ski resort consisting of Solden, HochSolden, Zwieselstein and Vent. It has extensive and varied skiing for all levels on two mountains: the Gaislachkögel and the Giggijoch. Recent massive investment in an excellent new lift system and summer skiing on the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers, makes skiing in Solden popular.
Solden village is located at 1,377m above sea level and has great links with the ski slopes. The village is not as charming as other well known Austrian ski resort towns but it has outstanding sporting facilities, a host of sports shops and fashionable boutiques, as well as many good cafés and fine restaurants.
There are 10,500 beds in 25 hotels, pensions/guesthouses, and over 200 apartments. Solden has a lively, but not excessive, après-ski scene, including: après-ski cafés, 43 bars and pubs, eight discos and three sledding parties. The Solden/HochSolden ski school runs a ski kindergarten for children age three and up.
The Solden Otztal-Arena ski resort boasts 150kms of pisted runs (including the glacial slopes) with a longest downhill run of 12.8kms. There are 34 lifts, featuring seven funiculars, 19 chairlifts and eight T-bars, with a capacity for over 60,000 skiers per hour. Solden's slopes are mainly suited to intermediate and advanced skiers but there are also plenty of beginner and expert slopes.
The compact and lively village of nearby HochSolden is situated on a sunny ledge at over 2,000m and offers an alternative to the slopes. Riding up to Timmelsjoch Pass at 2,509m above sea level, or enjoying a great adventure in the largest and most impressive double-cable gondola worldwide, whisking you up to 3,058m above sea level, are also highlights of the area.
The ski season runs from mid-December to the beginning of May, with cheapest rates offered at the start and last month of the season, and in mid-January. The most practical way to get here is to fly to Munich or Zürich and take a train to Otztal station; complete the journey by bus from here to the resort.
