If you are ready to take your skiing holidays to the next level, Sölden is a brilliant resort to do so. Its reliable snow conditions, guaranteed snowfall, and seven-month long season have helped Sölden become one of Europe’s best-loved ski and winter sports destinations.
Adventure junkies looking to get their heartbeat racing will not be short of ways in which to achieve their aim. From seriously vertical runs to satisfying off-piste challenges; an exciting snow park with over 40 obstacles; and a exhilarating après ski scene with one of the liveliest nightlives in the area – you never have to go more than a few minutes without a thrill.
For more information about the ski scene in nearby Breuil Cervinia, you can jump onto this post: Exclusive Ski Opportunities at Breuil Cervinia
The Best Challenges in Sölden
Expert skiers may find Sölden’s black runs a bit tame, so I recommend heading to the surprisingly more exciting reds in Gaislachkogl, which are notoriously vertical (over 1700 metres) and long, if you want to start you holidays off on-piste. And if you want to get a taste of what it is like to be in James Bond’s shoes, the world’s most popular spy of recent decades, you can venture to the glaciers where the latest Bond film, Spectre, was shot. No one will blame you for racing down the slopes in pursuit of some imaginary villain!
If you are keen to practice some snowboarding too, Sölden has some great freeriding opportunities, as well as the fantastic Area 47 Snowpark at Giggijoch, which has 41 different obstacles of varying difficulty, including flat rails, down tubes, a stairset special, and different types of jumps. It even has its own app so you can check out what is happening every morning before heading for the snow!
Taking your snowboard with you in the airplane? Take these tips on board!
Night-Time Skiing Once a Week
If rushing down a steep slope during the daylight isn’t amazing enough, imagine doing it at night. You can’t see the mountains surrounding you as the lights are focused on the path behind and before you, so you feel as though you are travelling faster than you ever have. There is an electrifying feeling of never really knowing where you are or how long you have skied until you reach the end…
Moreover, in some places the lights are placed around 100 metres apart from each other, so the overall lighting of the slope dims and brightens as you head down, playing with the shadows and making the whole experience feel that much spookier.
Round Off Your Days With An Amazing Après-Ski
If after all the skiing, snowboarding, and general adventuring around Sölden you still have energy to burn, you will be delighted to know that the resort has one of the liveliest nightlives for miles around. Rather than being focused just on the a couple of main streets in the town, Sölden’s après-ski travels down all the way from the top of the mountain.
Starting at Eugen’s Obstlerhütte (on the piste between Hochsolden and Sölden) or Bubi’s Schihütte (on Giaslachkogl), where you can drink and dance to some traditional music, you can eventually progress down to the town, where you will find Liebe Sonne hotel’s Schirmbar, also known as ‘the best après in town’ by the regulars. For a late finish, you can head to Fire and Ice, which closes at a respectable 3am, before evaluating whether you should head for bed or top the night off at Kuhstall, open until 6am.
How to Get to Sölden
Although there are three airports near Sölden, Innsbruck airport is, undoubtedly, the most convenient one to fly to if you want to head straight for the resort after landing. It is serviced by plenty of both scheduled and charter flights, and is popular with low-cost airlines, allowing you to fly in from the UK on a budget. Moreover, if the weather behaves, the drive to Sölden is just under an hour long, for which you can easily book a Shuttle Direct airport transfer service.
Salzburg and Munich airports are also within travelling distance of Sölden, but are only recommended if you are travelling from further away, as they have more long-haul scheduled arrivals. Both are three hours away by car, meaning a long journey to Sölden once you have landed – not ideal if you want to start enjoying your holiday straight away. Nevertheless, you can also hire Shuttle Direct’s services from both of these airports, making the long journey a bit more comfortable and convenient.
Where to Stay:
Haus Romana – For a budget apartment, Haus Romana offers plenty of convenience. It is located just minutes from the town centre (ideal for bars and restaurants) and less than 100 metres from the Gaislachkogel cable car. It has free Wi-Fi access, spacious rooms with their own kitchen so you can self-cater and keep your wallet happy, and checkout times are flexible, making it easier to say goodbye to Sölden in style.
Soelden Lounge – A bit more upscale is the Soelden Lounge, a lovely hotel that was completely renovated in 2014 and today offers great rooms with stunning panoramic views, fresh bread rolls delivered to the hotel every morning, and even a spa area with a roof-top terrace where you can pamper yourself after some adrenaline-driven day in the slopes.
Die berge lifestyle-hotel Sölden – The most luxurious option, ideal if you are splurging on a well-deserved break, is Die berge lifestyle-hotel Sölden, just 800 yards away from the Giggijoch cable car. Use of the spa and fitness area are included in your room price, and the hotel serves a delicious buffet breakfast every morning until 10:30h – perfect if you are planning to party until the early hours of the morning!
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct’s quick, professional and friendly airport transfer services operate all over Europe and North Africa. They specialise in airport taxis and shuttles, and if you pre-book your service, their door-to-door service will also wait for any flight delays.
