It can be difficult choosing a resort if you’re planning a ski holiday with a group of people who all have different skill levels and different budgets. However, if the one thing you all have in common is a love of après ski, then Söll is definitely the place for you.
The village of Söll is situated in the north east of Austria’s Tyrol region in the heart of the Ski Welt area. While the Ski Welt’s 280km of pistes are not to be sniffed at, it also links by lifts and bus to the vast Kitzbüheler Alpen with its 700km of runs, giving skiers the opportunity to notch up the miles on a ski safari.
When the skiing is done in Söll, there is still a lively après ski scene to enjoy. Although it is not as wild as its reputation back in the 1980s would have you believe, this Tyrolean town still knows how to party. There are a number of great bars and clubs and the prices are amongst some of the most reasonable in the Austrian Alps.
Great Skiing for all Levels
With wide open pistes spread over 280km of runs – perfect for snowboarders and skiers alike – and plenty of challenging off-piste skiing, Söll really does have something for everyone. Set in the Ski Welt skiing area, the resort has good access to the region’s network of runs thanks to a gondola system which begins at the edge of the village.
Beginners
Those skiing for the very first time will find the nursery slopes situated conveniently close to the village so that you can get your nerve up without venturing too far. Once you’ve progressed a little, however, you can take the gondola up to a good network of blue runs which will have you improving in no time.
Intermediates
The Ski Welt region is a gift for intermediate skiers with plenty of blue and wide, gentle red runs to explore. Once you’ve reached this level it’s worth doing one of the touring circuits where you spend the day skiing from Söll to one of its neighbouring resorts and back again. The runs are challenging but forgiving for those who are still improving, and the sense of satisfaction on clocking up so many miles is hard to beat.
Advanced
Just because there is great skiing for beginners and intermediates, don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll have to spend your time pootling around on easy reds. There is a great network of black runs around the Ski Welt, while the Höhe Salve will challenge even the most ambitious practitioners.
Take a deep breath and throw yourself down the hair-raising Black Eagle run down the north side of Höhe Salve – you might just need a drink at the bottom to steady your nerves. For more high-octane skiing, head over the mountain towards Brixen. Powder junkies will love the off-piste skiing known as the Black Pipe, a route from Höhe Salve to Hochsöll with an incline of more than 80%.
The Après Ski Scene
Beyond the fabulous skiing, Söll is probably most famous for the lively nature of its après scene. Many skiers here don’t wait for the lifts to close, but start their partying in the middle of the afternoon at the two bars in the gondola base; Moonlight and Hexenalm. If you’re not quite ready to start your drinking yet, or are looking to line your stomach for the night ahead, Hexenalm also does the most delicious milkshakes.
When you’re ready to get down to the business of some serious partying, head over to Salvenstadl, where things can get pretty raucous after dark, or the legendary Whisky Mühle. If there’s a game on there’s always a good crowd gathered to watch on the big screens at the Red Horse Pub. For a very late night/early morning head to Rossini’s.
How to Get to Söll
The closes airports to Söll are Innsbruck, which is 80km away, and Salzburg, which is 120km. Both are served during the winter sport season by a variety of budget airlines from the UK, including Ryanair, Monarch, Flybe, Thomson Airways, easyJet and Thomas Cook Airlines.
If you’re travelling in a group then one of the cheapest (and most convenient) ways to get from the airport to your skiing accommodation is to book a group transfer with Shuttle Direct. Book online and let Shuttle Direct know what equipment you and your mates will be bringing with you, and they’ll make sure they supply a vehicle big enough to fit you all in and won’t charge you any extra for carry skis, boards and boots.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Hexenalm – The perfect location for those who want to party at the Hexenalm bar, the Hotel Hexenalm is also ideally located below the gondola station for easy access to the slopes the next morning. There are plenty of eating options at the hotel with a snack bar, buffet restaurant and sit down restaurant. While there is WiFi available in the rooms it is charged at €5 per 24 hours.
Appartement Haus Schröder – Set in the village, the pretty self-catering apartments at Appartement Haus Schröder offer you the chance to save on food while enjoying hanging out as a group. There is free WiFi throughout the apartments.
Haus Mary – Offering a combination of ‘bed & breakfast’ rooms and an apartment, Haus Mary is ideally located just three-minutes walk from the centre of the village with a ski bus stop right outside its door. The rooms are clean and basic and all have a balcony with either mountain or garden views. There is free WiFi in all the rooms.
About Shuttle Direct:
A leading provider of airport transfers to destinations across Europe and North Africa, Shuttle Direct offers a great, cheap group transfer service from a range of major airports directly to your resort. Book online with the easy-to-use booking system, then let Shuttle Direct know what sports equipment you will be carrying and your driver will transport it all to the resort for you at no extra cost.
