First Tracks in Sölden: Start Early, Ski Longer

Start Early, Ski Longer

Sölden launches winter earlier than almost anywhere in the Alps, with glacier skiing beginning in October then the seamlessly connected winter ski area opening on 12 November this year. Located in Austria’s beautiful Ötztal region, Sölden offers one of Europe’s longest and most snow‑reliable seasons, thanks to its high‑altitude, glacier-covered terrain rising above 3,000m and its state‑of‑the‑art lifts and gondolas.

This early start sets the tone for a destination built around sport and entertainment. Sölden’s glacier slopes provide dependable conditions for the first turns of winter, while the main ski area adds a huge ski domain, all with fast access and modern infrastructure as soon as it opens. The combination of altitude, glacier terrain and snow reliability ensures great ski conditions not only from early autumn but also well into spring, seven months later, positioning Sölden as a leading Alpine performer at both ends of the season.

The World Cup Opening

Sölden’s sporting credentials are reinforced each October when the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Opening returns to the Rettenbach Glacier. As elite athletes carve through the season’s first giant slalom races, the event showcases the resort’s high‑performance terrain, professional expertise and world‑class operational standards.

ice Q, 007 ELEMENTS and BIG3

Yet Sölden is equally defined by premium experiences and Alpine lifestyle. At 3,048m, ice Q, Austria’s highest toque‑awarded restaurant, offers fine dining framed by striking architecture and panoramic views. Nearby, 007 ELEMENTS immerses visitors in the cinematic world of James Bond inside the mountain itself, while the BIG3 viewing platforms deliver iconic perspectives across the Ötztal Alps.

Electric Mountain Festival

Entertainment continues throughout winter and into spring with the Electric Mountain Festival, where international electronic music meets skiing and a high‑altitude atmosphere. Together, these experiences elevate Sölden beyond a pure ski destination, creating a place where top‑level winter sport, premium gastronomy, modern infrastructure and Alpine lifestyle come together from the very start of the season.

© Sebastian Stahrl

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Please note that all operational dates are subject to weather and snow conditions.

Sölden FAQs

When can you ski in Sölden in autumn?

Glacier skiing in Sölden begins in October, and the connected winter ski area opens on 12 November. With glacier terrain above 3,000m, the season runs for around seven months.

When is the Sölden World Cup Opening?

The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Opening takes place on the Rettenbach Glacier each October, with the season’s first giant slalom races.

What is there to do in Sölden apart from skiing?

Dine at ice Q, Austria’s highest toque-awarded restaurant at 3,048m, step into the world of James Bond at 007 ELEMENTS, take in the views from the BIG3 platforms or catch the Electric Mountain Festival.

Discover more of the best resorts for early-season skiing in our First Tracks hub.