Hochsölden’s up on the mountainside above Sölden, with a ski in, ski out location in the middle of the ski area. There’s rarely a queue for lifts in the mornings, and barely any traffic around the village because you just don’t need cars – everything’s within easy walking (or skiing) distance.
The village is made up of a handful of 4 star hotels, B&Bs and apartments and has its own ski shops, kindergarten, ski school and après ski bars. It’s not full of historic sites and attractions, but if you’re looking to simply ski, ski and ski some more, it’s brilliant.
The ski area lies in the Ötztal Valley, which is famous for having 250 mountains of 3000m high. Alpine skiing became popular around Sölden in the early 1900’s, with the Hochsölden ski area developing around 1922 and the first chairlift linking Sölden and Hochsölden built in the late forties. A link to the Gaislachkogl ski area opened up in 1971.
You can reach the resort via the Hochsöldenstraße off the glacier road. Innsbruck airport is 90km away, with the Ötztal shuttle bus going between the ski area and the airport.
Location: Austria, Alps
Established: 1948
Open: October – May
Downhill: 150km
View our detailed Hochsolden snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Hochsolden snow history.
Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
Innsbruck (INN) | 90km, 1.5hr |
|
|
Top Altitude: | 3340m |
Bottom Altitude: | 1359m |
Resort Altitude: | 2090m |
Longest run: | 15km |
Slope Orientation: | N S E W |
Vertical Drop: | 1900m |
Skiable Vertical: | |
Night Skiing: | Yes |
Glacier: | Yes |
Downhill Runs: | 150km |
Beginner slopes: | 34% |
Intermediate: | 46% |
Advanced slopes: | 20% |
Lift Pass Price: | €245 (adult 6 day) |
Nearby resorts: Solden |
Experienced skiers are best served by the local ski runs, which include a handful of steep red and black trails under the Roßkirpl and Rotkogl chairs. Black #22 is a 2km descent leading all the way down to the Sölden base station, with the alternative run being red #21.
The Giggijoch and Silberbrunnl chairs lead to some of the best blue runs in the area, known for being wide and gently sloping – great for beginners and boarders. And being that much closer to them than everyone staying in Sölden lets you have them to yourself first thing in the morning. You can connect over to the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers via only blues and the Gletscherexpress for higher altitude runs and gobsmacking views over the valley.
Red pistes stream down towards the base of the Langegg chair, with piste #11 clocking up a whopping 11km as it links to 7a and 7b to Innerwald.
Freestylers have Sölden’s Area 47 snowpark, and the Funslope from the Giggijoch chair. There are dozens of kilometres of powder terrain, and a guide will be able to show you some incredible descents into the Rettenbach valley.
It might be a tiddler of a resort, but that’s not to say you can’t find somewhere to let your hair down at the end of the day. Eugen's Obstlerhütte has live folk and pop music, with the doors opening from 3pm each day. The restaurant here serves a grand mix of dishes, from ribs to Wiener Schnitzel to pasta. Part of Hotel Enzian, Jack's Glühweinhüttn has a cracking sun terrace. There’s also the Skybar which puts on live jazz and soul accompanied by awesome views of the mountains. For a bigger après ski scene, head out into the wider Sölden area, where Fire & Ice, Giggi Tenne and Schirmbar are popular party spots.
The local restaurants belong to Hochsölden’s hotels, with the à la carte menu and fondue evenings at Enzian’s Alpenbistro always being a hit. The restaurant at Hotel Hochsölden has an incredible gourmet menu and Alpenfriede often put on themed buffets. Schöne Aussicht’s eateries include a Panorama buffet restaurant and posh nosh at Hånselas Stubn. If you like your suppers perfectly paired with wines, this is the place to go – they often host wine tastings in their cellar too.
The ski area is open a lot longer than others in the Alps, from October to May. By time the usual ski season comes round in December, the slopes tend to be in excellent nick. This is thanks to the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers, and the fact that more than three quarters of the slopes have snowmaking. No other ski areas in Austria have three mountains that peak above 3000m – and located up in Hochsölden you’re fantastically close to them. One of our favourite times to ski here in springtime, when the views go on for miles and the snow is some of the best in Europe.
Staying up at 2090m puts you in good stead for experiencing a white Christmas in Hochsölden – with the slopes usually opening in October there should be brilliant conditions come December.
See in the New Year in Hochsölden with gala dinners, parties in the likes of Obstlerhütte and fabulous fireworks.
We love Half Term in Hochsölden for weeks that are all about the skiing – be the first on the Giggijoch blues in the morning and ski or snowboard until the lifts close.
Thanks to two skiable glaciers and three 3000m peaks, Easter in Hochsölden tends to see some of the finest springtime skiing conditions in the Alps.
Families who’ve already spent a few weeks on the piste will enjoy being able to ski straight back to their accommodation here. It also helps to be closer to the slopes on school holiday weeks – though the runs are busier you can enjoy them before everyone else. For little ones, the kindergarten takes children from 6 months old, introducing them to the snow through Bobo’s kids club while you make the most of the ski area.
Being in the middle of the ski area is a big perk of group holidays in Hochsölden – head straight out and explore the snow sure ski area in the daytime, then ski back to the likes of Eugen's Obstlerhütte and Jack's Glühweinhüttn to meet up for après ski. While staying in Sölden itself might be a better option if you have non skiers coming along (there are more activities and attractions down in the valley – like the Aqua Dome spa), Hochsölden’s excellent if you’re all keen to be out on the slopes from dawn til dusk.
Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
---|---|---|
Hotel Alpenfriede | 7 | £ 1364 |