Ski Holidays in Solden, Austria

• Snow Conditions in Solden Austria +

  Snow report issued:	2nd Feb 12
  Last snowed:	29th Jan 12
  Fresh snow depth:	1cm
  Depth at resort:	50cm
  Mountain depth:	274cm
  Piste state:
  Excellent (Great conditions - wax up your skis!)
  Weather report:
  Cloudy today, snow possible
  Temperature:	-12°C
  Open lifts:	31 of 35

  View Solden snow history

• Solden Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	SW
  Very Easy Runs	0
  Easy Runs	57
  Medium Runs	61
  Difficult Runs	31
  Toughest Run Name	Rosskirpl
  Skiable Vertical	1963m
  Number Of Lifts	34
  Top Lift Height	3250m
  Night Skiing	Y
  Snowboarding Parks	3
  Half Pipes	0
  Swimming Pools	1
  Night Clubs	10
  Mountain Restaurants	25

• Solden Piste Map+

  

• Solden Transfer Times+

  Innsbruck:	1 hour and 15 minutes
  Munich / München:	2 hours and 30 minutes

Solden is one of Austria's leading resorts as well as one of the country's highest ski areas. The large village is located in the Otztal Valley, a little over an hour from Innsbruck, and shares a regional lift pass with Obergurgl, higher up.

Solden's ski area extends to twin glaciers above 3000m and its 1900m vertical is one of the world's 40 biggest.

The great altitude makes the ski area very snow sure, and indeed the first world cup competition events in the northern hemisphere each season are staged here in October every year, along with big 'Ski season opening' parties which combine new equipment testing with 'Octoberfest' style beer tents.

Until recently Solden operated its glacier ski slopes year-round, and they still stay open to May.

It's worth noting that, as well as spectacular ski slopes, Solden has invested millions in a fleet of modern high capacity chairlifts and gondolas to make getting up the mountain fast and easy too. It used to be a 20 minute bus ride to the once separate glacier areas, but they're now linked by efficient ski lifts too.

Solden itself is a combination of large Austrian chalet-style buildings with a strong sense of cultural history, and a cool fashionable ski resort that attracts hoardes of predominantly German snow fans, who are keen to ski hard then party hard all night.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  There are nursery slopes in the valley, but beginners are more likely to take the Giggijoch gondola to a snowsure plateau which contains several gentle beginner runs on which to master your first turns and stops. Most of the lifts used are easy to ride chairlifts.
  
  There are lots of easy ski runs to progress on to once you have learned the basics. However, this is one of the more expensive resorts in which to learn to ski.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  Unlike most other large Austrian ski areas, Solden not only offers nearly 160km (100 miles) of piste, but also a huge vertical.
  
  This allows for some wonderful long runs, the longest of which descends for a total length of 12.8km (eight miles) and 1,880 vertical metres from Schwarze Schneide at Rettenbach Glacier back down to the resort.
  
  The lifts up to the higher runs are known as the 'Golden Gate to the Glacier' and once at the top you can take the 'Big 3 Rally' which is an exciting route around three 3000m peaks, the total heights of which add up to more than 10,000m.
  
  The route can be tackled by good intermediate skiers and brings the rare treat of full 360 degree mountain views as you travel around the slopes.

• Advanced+

  With 28km (17 miles) of black graded piste, advanced skiers have a choice of challenging terrain as well as excellent ski touring opportunities.
  
  The ski route across Rettenbachtal valley (six kilometres/four miles) is internationally renowned amongst skiing experts for its intimidating attributes.

• Snowboarding at Solden+

  Solden is a major boarding destination with the ultimate combination of an excellent terrain park, superb freeriding and a throbbing après board scene.
  
  The terrain park is the six hectare BASA Park which has a great collection of pipes, rails, tables, corners and kickers. Thanks to its altitude it is usually open at the ends of the season (in some resorts there may not be enough snow to open parks until the New Year).
  
  Freeriding terrain is also abundant with the Glaiskachkogel particularly good.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Solden+

  Solden has an excellent adventure pool complex, The Freizeit Arena Adventure Bath. The complex incorporates underwater massage jets, a white water area and a large water chute. There's also a kids' pool featuring a water chute and a special play corner for small children.
  
  A fitness area incorporates a log cabin sauna (90°C), samarium, herbal tepidarium (39°C) and a steam and inhalation bath (42-45°C).
  
  If that's not enough, a visit to the new Aqua Dome spa at nearby Längenfeld is well worth it, and the facility is usually open to 11pm. The spa is the largest in Tyrol and its water comes from a sodium-chloride-sulphate-sulphur thermal spring at a depth of 1,865m and contains 5mg bivalent sulphur per litre.
  
  The water surfaces at approximately 40° Celsius (that's maximum safe hot tub heat!) and has a flow velocity of approximately 3-4 litres per second. The spring is used to fill the swimming pools at Aqua Dome, which also has a sauna, fitness and beautician facilities.
  
  Outdoor activities in the area include snowshoe hikes, cross-country skiing trails up around nearby Vent, sleigh rides, an ice rink, a five kilometre (three mile) long toboggan run and 30km (19 miles) of cleared winter walking paths.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  There are more than 50 bars and restaurants in Solden where the atmosphere is usually lively and happy. There's a big choice of venues as soon as the lifts close, but Harley's Rock Bar, Fire and Ice Joker and the Snow Rock Café are all usually buzzing.
  
  There's a better choice than usual for dining options with Mexican, Chinese and Japanese establishments alongside the wide range of Tirolean choices. Saitenspung is good for traditional Austrian mountain cuisine, including fondues.

• Ski Holidays in Solden suitable for Families+

  Bobo's Kinderclub, operated by the Skischule Sölden - Hochsölden at Giggijoch, accepts non-skiing children to their purpose built facility from six months of age. The club operates daily except Saturday, between 10am and 3.30pm.
  
  Children aged three and over can join ski kindergarten and there are ski school classes for older children for four hours daily, with an hour long lunch break from noon until 1pm, during which cover is available if required. Snowboarding tuition starts at age seven.
  
  The Solden Tourist office also have a registered baby sitters list available on request.