Big Peaks and Bigger Fun: A Winter Escape to Sölden

Trip And Zip
Dec 2, 2009
3 min read

New Year’s Eve 2009-2010 found us, as usual in recent years, skiing. This time, it was in Austria, at Sölden. The resort didn’t disappoint, and I still maintain that Austria offers unbeatable value for money. While Austria might not boast the nightlife or “glamour” of Switzerland or France, it excels with top-notch services and plenty of entertainment options to suit all tastes and preferences.

Snowy alpine village with colorful buildings, a church steeple, and mountains. People walk by a snow-covered car on a sunny day. — Sölden, Austria

However, the global economic crisis did impact the number of tourists in the resort. Until just after Christmas, the streets were relatively quiet, with most visitors being Austrians or German speakers. But as the holidays progressed, the atmosphere changed. We began to hear a mix of foreign languages around us: Dutch, English, Swedish, Russian… and Romanian. Sölden seems particularly popular with Dutch and German tourists.

Snow-covered village surrounded by mountains under a clear blue sky. Buildings have wooden accents; mood is serene and picturesque. — Sölden, Austria

A Resort Built Around Its Main Street

Sölden revolves around its main street, Dorfstrasse, where you’ll find most of the shops, restaurants, bars, and activity agencies. Unfortunately, this street is also a heavily trafficked route, as it’s the main road to Italy. This takes away some of the charm, as the hustle of vehicles contrasts with the picturesque vibe of the resort. A bypass road, like in other mountain resorts, would undoubtedly enhance Sölden’s appeal.

Like most renowned alpine resorts, Sölden is packed with shops, especially those focused on sporting equipment. Some might find them a bit “spartan,” catering more to mountain sports enthusiasts than those seeking fashion. Personally, I loved the variety of equipment and spent hours browsing. In fact, I even left Austria with an extra bag nearly full of purchases… Austria is the ideal place to buy sporting gear, as the staff are incredibly professional, helpful, and skilled in explaining the technical details of equipment.

Snowy street scene with people walking near ski shops and a cafe. Buildings have wooden accents. Signs read Sun Up Sports and Liebe Sonne. — Sölden, Austria

Nightlife and Après-Ski Highlights

Sölden has plenty to offer when it comes to nightlife and après-ski. We spent several enjoyable evenings at some of the most popular spots, including Fire & Ice (a favorite among teenagers, with predominantly house music), Mogul, Black & Orange, and especially Snow Rock Café, where we celebrated New Year’s Eve. Snow Rock Café stands out with its rock music, live performances, and even singing waitresses!

For a more traditional experience, I recommend the bar at Hotel Hubertus, with its cozy Tyrolean décor—a perfect spot to enjoy a grappa after dinner. As for après-ski drinks, our go-to was Kuckuck, where we danced in ski boots and sang along to Tyrolean music and Oktoberfest-style hits with the entire bar. The atmosphere was electric, and it felt like we were living out scenes straight from YouTube videos showcasing traditional Tyrolean fun.

Skiing in Sölden: Vast and Impressive

Sölden is part of the vast Ötztal ski area, which boasts over 70 ski lifts, 300 km of slopes, and mountain peaks exceeding 3,000 meters. The area is enormous, and I didn’t have enough time to explore the neighboring resorts. I couldn’t even cover all the slopes directly accessible from Sölden itself!

Just the gondola-served slopes in Sölden alone can reportedly accommodate around 60,000 people. That’s massive! I limited my skiing to the Giggijoch area and the renowned Big 3 Rallye circuit. The experience here is truly unique, with three peaks exceeding 3,000 meters, including Schwarze Schneide (3,340 m), the highest point. The panoramic views from these peaks are breathtaking, although poor weather conditions during my visit made it challenging to capture their full beauty in photos. Nevertheless, I spent a lot of time at Tiefenbachkogl (3,250 m), soaking in the incredible scenery.

People in winter clothing walk across a glass bridge over snowy mountains. The sky is overcast, creating a serene and adventurous mood. — Sölden, Austria

Beyond Skiing

We made the most of our vacation by visiting other nearby attractions. This included the charming city of Innsbruck, the lively resort of Ischgl, and the exclusive alpine destinations of Zürs and Lech. Each had its own unique character and added a delightful variety to our winter trip.

A Final Thought

Looking back, Sölden is a standout destination that offers a perfect blend of excellent skiing, vibrant après-ski, and top-tier service. While the traffic through the main street might detract slightly from its charm, its immense ski area, welcoming atmosphere, and professional services more than make up for it. If you’re seeking a well-rounded alpine experience with plenty of excitement on and off the slopes, Sölden should definitely be on your list.