With several glaciers around the valley, some of the highest mountains in Austria around and an excellent lift system, Sölden is a reliable choice for a snow-sure holiday for intermediate or advanced skiers. However the skiing is largely above the treeline, so it can be tough when the light is poor. It is renowned for its apres-ski scene - beginners, families and more sedate winter sports enthusiasts would probably be better off in nearby Obergurgl - which has an even longer season than Sölden. The resort runs and gondolas up can get very busy, but the lifts do open early so it is worthwhile shaking off your hangover with a couple of runs before the hoi polloi arrive. Sölden is quite a long straggly town with a busy road running through it and the gondolas both on opposite outskirts of the town. Fortunately there is a frequent ski bus service.
Sölden is part of the Öztal ski region, which also includes the quaintly named Obergurgl and Oetz ski areas, plus a number of smaller ones. By train the ski region can be reached in less than half an hour from Innsbruck, but once you arrive at Ötzal Bahnhof, you have an hour and a half on the bus to get to Sölden itself (although Oetz is less than 15 minutes from the station).
Where to Eat and Party in Sölden
Sölden is a busy town with a throbbing, often raunchy, nightlife. It is particularly popular with Dutch and German party animals. A good place to start apres-ski would be at the Giggijoch then head down for your last run to Marco's bar near the Post Office, at Dorfstraße 80, to rendez-vous. The bla-bla is a good spot to kick off a high octane evening.
