Please choose Language or Country

Service

Facts

Holiday Information Line

Give us a call Monday to Friday from 8am to noon. Outside of our office hours please drop us an email and we'll be happy to answer your questions.

Telephone: 00800 400 200 00*

info@austria.info

*toll-free; calls from mobile networks may incur charges

Top activities

More search suggestions

A untouched slope in Soelden © Ötztal Tourismus / Ernst Lorenzi

Manu Schöpf ist Skilehrer im Ötztal © Ötztal Tourismus Manu Schöpf Ski Instructor
“When you visit Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, you'll experience first-class skiing. That's why we call it the 'Diamond of the Alps'.”

Ötztal

The Peak of Tirol

Looking for guaranteed snow from October through May? With two snowy glaciers, more than 250km of smoothly groomed pistes and masses of freeride terrain, the exciting ski areas of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl and Sölden in the Tirolean Ötztal Valley await. Soak up the scenery of BIG 3 vantage points above 3,000m, make tracks in the powder, and stop at cozy mountain huts for the famous apres ski. It’s fun for everyone from friends to families to first-timers -- even James Bond. We asked local ski instructor Manu Schöpf to share some secrets.

Manu's Winter Tale:

Local Ski Instructor, Manu Schöpf from the Ötztal © Ötztal Tourismus

Manu Schöpf is a ski instructor and canyoning guide based in Sölden. Having lived and worked in the Ötztal region for years, he’s been part of Sölden’s transformation into a famous winter destination for skiers and boarders from across the globe. We asked Manu what makes his perfect day: “For a great ski day, I start early by enjoying a morning coffee with a fabulous view at the magnificent ice Q Restaurant atop the Gaislachkogl. Then I take advantage of the Super Skipass -- one pass accesses all ski areas throughout Ötztal with 356km of slopes and finest powder snow. To complete the ideal ski experience, I enjoy eating a Tyrolian Kaiserschmarrn at the Hohe Mut Alm in Obergurgl.”

For more insider tips, watch travel blogger Dave from Travel Dave explore the Ötztal Valley with Travel Dudes: A Winter Guide to the Ötztal Valley: Solden and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.

5 Things Not to Miss

Sölden, Electric Mountain Festival Finale © Ötztal Tourismus / Rudi Wyhlidal

-

1. Be first in line (without the line)
There’s nothing better than arcing perfect turns on freshly groomed slopes. Get first tracks every Friday morning with a maximum of just 50 other earlybirds. It’s a 730am start from Festkogl base station to head up with a ski guide for some early runs. Then enjoy a first-class breakfast at the splendid Hohe Mut Alm while the rest of the resort is only still waking up. A great way to start your day in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.

2. Join the party at Electric Mountain Festival
Skiing, dancing and top-class DJs meet for an unrivaled mountain party at Giggijoch's Funzone. Join the springtime Electric Mountain Festival at 2,300m, when the hippest artists of the electronic dance music scene turn Sölden into the ultimate DJ party. Concert admission is included with your Sölden day ski pass. April 4-5, 2019. If the Electric Mountain Festival is not enough for you, once a month the Electric Mountain Parties take place at Giggijoch's Funzone.

thermal spring Aqua Dome, Ötztal © Ötztal Tourismus

-

3. Soak, bubble and steam at the Aqua Dome
Stylish, modern and deeply decadent, a day at the Aqua Dome is sure to relax and rejuvenate. This funky and futuristic-looking wellness resort boasts a huge array of indoor and outdoor pools, waterfalls, saunas and a separate play area for children. Treatments are available. Be sure to slip into the soothing waters of the three giant “levitating” bowls.

4. Discover the training ground of Britain’s best skier
UK’s own Dave Ryding is one of the hottest acts on the World Cup slalom ski racing scene and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is proud to be his principal sponsor. As one of the most popular destinations for British skiers, the mountains of Ötztal Valley are also the professional training ground for its most famous skier. Find out why Britain’s fastest slalom skier chooses the slopes of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl as is his base.

Sunset at the IceQ restaurant in Soelden, Tirol © Bergbahnen Sölden / Rudi Wyhlidal

-

5. Find your peak atop the BIG 3
Sölden is Austria's only resort with three beautiful peaks that tower above 3,000m, which you can reach by gondola. Known as the BIG 3 -- Gaislachkogl at 3,048m, Tiefenbachkogl at 3,250m and Schwarze Schneide at 3,340m – these spectacular vantage points are easily reached by ski lifts so everyone can visit the three vista points to capture fabulous Alpine memories. Faster skiers love to conquer all BIG3 mountains in one day, a thrilling route of some 50km.

Facts & Figures

Did you know that...

... with a capacity of 4,500 and 3,600 passengers per hour, Sölden has the two highest capacity gondolas in the world?
... the Ötztal has one of the longest guaranteed snow seasons in the Alps?
... Sölden is Austria's only ski area with 3 mountains higher than 3,000 meters, which you can reach by gondola?
... Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is the first non-glacier ski area in Tirol to open its slopes?
... the Alpine Ski World Cup kicks off in Sölden?
... the ice Q restaurant on the Gaislachkogl mountain was a filming location for the James Bond movie 'Spectre' and now offers a cinematic installation called 007 ELEMENTS, a must-see for James Bond fans?

Sölden

Altitude: 1,350 - 3,340 m
Glaciers: 2
Lifts: 31 (65,500 passengers/hour)
Huts: 33

144 km of slopes:

70 km blue slopes
45 km red slopes
27 km black slopes
2 km ski route

Longest run: 15 km

Snow-making: 77% of slopes covered (all slopes lower than 2,200 m)

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

Altitude: 1,800 - 3,080 m
Lifts: 25 (39,400 passengers/hour)
Huts: 11

112 km of slopes:

35 km blue slopes
55 km red slopes
20 km black slopes

Longest run: 8 km

Snow-making: 99% of slopes covered

Practical Information

Ski season: November 2019 - May 2020

Closest airports (to Sölden):

Innsbruck (83 km)
Munich (231 km)
Salzburg (263 km)
Zürich-Kloten (281 km)

Price of 6-day lift pass:

Adult £237 - £263*
Youth £210.50*
Child £144.50*
Free for children born from 2011 onwards

Top events:

26 - 27 October 2019, Sölden: FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Opening
14 November 2019, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl: Ski Opening
31 December 2019, Ötztal: New Year's Fireworks
TBA, Sölden: Hannibal - The Story of a Glacier Crossing
02 - 03 April 2020, Sölden: Electric Mountain Festival

Enjoying the fresh snow in Soelden © Ötztal Tourismus / Dominic Ebenbichler

Further Information

Holiday Offer

skiing in Sölden © Ötztal Tourismus / Rudi Wyhlidal

Ötztal - A Thrilling Experience!

Enjoy 7 nights in the accommodation category of your choice including 6-day "Pow(d)er Card" ski pass and free bus transfer.
From £540pp*

* Prices calculated against exchange rate of 22nd May 2019.

Contact

Ötztal Tourismus

Telephone: +43 57 200

info@oetztal.com
www.oetztal.com

Ötztal Tourismus

Telephone: +43 57 200

info@oetztal.com
www.oetztal.com

Route planner

More Great Winter Destinations

Skiing in the Hochkönig region © Österreich Werbung / Peter Podpera

Austrian Winter Tales

From glacier skiing to the size and variety at one of the world’s largest ski resorts, skiers of all levels will find unrivalled quality, variety and choice in Austria.

Welcome to Winter in Austria

Snow-covered winter landscape with a breathtaking view at Lake Zell © Faistauer Photography / Nikolaus Faistauer

Zell am See-Kaprun

Your winter getaway in Zell am See-Kaprun mixes glacier, lake and snowy mountains with an action-packed choice of activities.

Discover Zell am See-Kaprun

Christmas market in Innsbruck's old town © TVB Innsbruck / Christof Lackner

Innsbruck in Tirol

Where history, culture and city fun meet fantastic skiing. Enjoy a cultural escape to Innsbruck and ski nine nearby areas.

Discover Innsbruck in Tirol

Family skiing in the Brandnertal © Bergbahnen Brandnertal GesmbH / Michael Marte

Brandnertal in Vorarlberg

On slopes and trails, dog sleds by day to sledge safaris by night, Brandnertal is the perfect choice for active families.

Discover Brandnertal

Top of the Mountain Concerts on the "Idalp" in Ischgl © Tourismusverband Paznaun-Ischgl / no name

Ischgl in Tirol

Relax if you can. For top-class skiing and world-beating nightlife, it’s Ischgl every time.

Discover Ischgl in Tirol

a perfect ski day in the Zillertal © Zillertal Tourismus / Simon Hausberger

Zillertal

Surrounded by sparkly three-thousanders, the wide, sunny Zillertal provides an authentic welcome in the heart of the Alps.

Discover Zillertal

270 kilometres of pistes at Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn © Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn

Join the fun at the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, found both on and off-piste plus cosy huts galore.

Discover the Skicircus

Skigebiet Lech Zürs © Ski Arlberg / Andre Schönherr

Lech Zürs am Arlberg in Vorarlberg

In the heart of Austria’s largest linked ski area, world-famous for smooth pistes, cool freeriding, sublime dining and lodgings.

Discover Lech Zürs am Arlberg

View from Hopfgarten Wilder Kaiser © SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental in Tirol

One of Austria’s most modern ski areas, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, makes a perfect family resort.

Discover SkiWelt in Tirol

winter magic © Österreich Werbung / Sebastian Stiphout

Bregenzerwald in Vorarlberg

Where tradition meets modernity. Discover relaxed skiing, gentle winter hikes and the striking architecture of the Bregenzerwald.

Discover Bregenzerwald

Vater und Sohn verbringen einen traumhaften Skitag in Bad Kleinkirchheim © Bad Kleinkirchheim Tourismus / Mathias Prägant

Bad Kleinkirchheim in Carinthia

Fabulous skiing combined with warm southern hospitality, relaxing thermal spas and renowned culinary delights.

Discover Bad Kleinkirchheim

St. Johann in Tirol

The winter wonderland of St. Johann in Tirol enchants with snowshoe hikes, sleigh rides and fine regional food.

Discover St. Johann in Tirol

Farmhouse in Alpbachtal © Alpbachtal Seenland Tourismus / Bernhard Berger

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau in Tirol

Experience true Tirolean hospitality in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, one of Tirol’s largest ski areas.

Discover Ski Juwel in Tirol

Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

The laid-back outdoor life of Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is a favourite of families and friends alike.

Discover Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

Plan your trip with us...