Gurgl & Sölden: Premium Ski Holidays in Austria’s Ötztal
At the far end of Austria’s Ötztal Valley, Gurgl and Sölden stand as two of the most snow-reliable and experience-rich ski destinations in the Alps.
Gurgl, often referred to as the “Diamond of the Alps,” is a snow-sure, premium resort where altitude, elegance, and efficiency converge. With slopes reaching up to 3,030 metres and accommodation perched at 2,000 metres, it offers a rare combination of guaranteed snow and ski-in/ski-out luxury. Sölden, meanwhile, pulses with alpine energy, blending glacier skiing, bold architecture, and high-profile events into a resort that’s as dynamic as it is dependable. Together, they form the backbone of the Ötztal Superskipass, which unlocks 363 km of slopes across six ski areas including Hochoetz-Kühtai, Niederthai, Gries, and Vent.
© Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Roman-Huber
Gurgl’s ski terrain spans 112 km across Obergurgl and Hochgurgl, connected by the Top Express gondola. The resort’s altitude—between 1,800 and 3,030 metres—ensures a long season from November to April, with 25 lifts and virtually no queues. The piste mix includes 60.2 km of blue runs, 33.2 km red, and 14.3 km black, plus 4.5 km of ski routes. Two ski schools offer tailored instruction, and the First Line experience lets early risers carve fresh tracks before the lifts officially open.
Sölden’s ski area is still larger, with 146 km of slopes and 31 lifts reaching up to 3,340 metres. Its terrain includes 48% blue, 31% red, and 19% black runs, plus two glaciers and three peaks over 3,000 metres. Snow is guaranteed from September to May, and the infrastructure is built for speed, scale, and variety. The Giggijoch and Gaislachkogl gondolas whisk skiers from village to summit in minutes, while 33 ski huts offer everything from rustic fare to gourmet dining.
© Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Rudi-Wyhlidal-from-Architektur-Obermoser-arch-omo
Dining on the mountains above the resort villages here is very special with plenty of options that are exciting a different whilst still offering fabulous food. The IceQ restaurant above Sölden is Austria’s highest 2-toque restaurant, perched at 3,048 metres on the Gaislachkogl, and sits beside the 007 ELEMENTS installation—an immersive, high-tech tribute to the James Bond franchise. At IceQ you can enjoy haute cuisine, fine wines, and tapas in a fully glazed cube that starred in Spectre. It’s one of the most spectacular dining experiences in the Alps, combining haute cuisine with breathtaking views of the Ötztal mountains. You can also take a ride on the Gourmet Gondola, enjoying fine drinks and delicacies from the Top Mountain Crosspoint mid-ride on the Kirchenkarbahn from Gurgl.
Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Roman-Huber
Also not to be missed, Gurgl’s Hohe Mut Alm and Festkogl Alm offer refined alpine cuisine with panoramic views, the Hohe Mut Alm offering glacier vistas from its sun terrace along with 21 surrounding 3,000-metre peaks. For a relaxed but equally scenic meal, Gurgl’s Top Mountain Crosspoint Restaurant offers regional specialties and a large sun terrace, accessible to skiers and non-skiers alike.
You can also enjoy spectacular views from Gurgl’s Top Mountain Star panorama bar at 3,030 metres which delivers a 360° panorama stretching to the Dolomites.
© Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Roman-Huber
Beyond skiing, Gurgl offers 12 km of winter hiking trails, 10.4 km of cross-country tracks, and a three-kilometre night toboggan run in Hochgurgl. Twice-weekly night skiing extends the fun after dark. The Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum offers a compelling indoor option, housed within the architecturally striking Top Mountain Crosspoint, which also serves as a lift station and restaurant.
Sölden offers a further 49.5 km of groomed hiking trails, a 7.3 km toboggan run with 840 m of vertical drop, and the Wednesday Night Fever programme, which includes night skiing, night tobogganing, and the Summit Dinner.
© Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Florian-Kofler.
This winter, Gurgl will host the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup, with women’s and men’s slalom races on the Kirchenkar slope and exclusive evening events at the Gurgl Carat, a diamond-shaped congress centre in Obergurgl. The venue accommodates up to 520 guests and hosts everything from international conferences to alpine concerts. Gurgl also welcomes the Diamond Beats by Nassau Beach Club, a high-altitude alpine festival that blends music, mountain culture, and luxury.
Sölden’s season kicks off in October with its own AUDI FIS World Cup Opening, followed by the Electric Mountain Festival in April and the Hannibal glacier spectacle on April 10, 2026—a theatrical retelling of Carthaginian history staged on ice.
© Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Roman-Huber
Gurgl’s infrastructure is as premium as its altitude, with 25 four- and five-star establishments offering ski-in/ski-out accommodation and direct slope access from nearly every bed. For winter 2025/26, Gurgl is offering exclusive accommodation at the best price guaranteed, with 90% of beds located within four minutes of the piste. This makes it one of the most convenient resorts in the Alps for slope-side access. The resort’s 25 four- and five-star hotels offer a blend of alpine charm and modern luxury, with wellness facilities, fine dining, and direct lift connections.
Sustainability is increasingly central to the Ötztal experience. Resorts are investing in energy-efficient lift systems, eco-certified accommodation, and low-impact infrastructure. Gurgl’s compact layout and direct slope access reduce transport emissions, while Sölden’s glacier operations are carefully managed to preserve the natural environment. Visitors are encouraged to travel by train to Ötztal Bahnhof, with onward connections by bus or taxi. Innsbruck Airport offers international access just over an hour away, and Gurgl’s arrival guide provides practical tips for planning a low-impact journey.
Whether you’re chasing powder, panoramas, or piste perfection, Gurgl and Sölden deliver skiing without compromise. From glacier descents to gourmet gondolas, from Bond-worthy backdrops to World Cup thrills—Ötztal is where the Alps reach their full potential.
Main Image © Oetztal-Tourismus_photographer_Florian-Kofler