Soelden in Austria is the traditional setting for the FIS World Cup alpine skiing season-opener.
Soelden in Austria is the traditional setting for the FIS World Cup alpine skiing season-opener.
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The men's and women's giant slalom races take place on the Rettenbach glacier, high above the village in the Otz valley.
The men's and women's giant slalom races take place on the Rettenbach glacier, high above the village in the Otz valley.
Otztal Tourismus
US star Mikaela Shiffrin pushes out of the starting gate at Soelden in 2017.
US star Mikaela Shiffrin pushes out of the starting gate at Soelden in 2017.
JOE KLAMAR/Getty Images
But there is more to Soelden than just timing gates and skin-tight lycra. With 144 kilometers of runs and plentiful off-piste, it is a perfect setting for an alpine getaway, just 80 kilometers from Innsbruck.
But there is more to Soelden than just timing gates and skin-tight lycra. With 144 kilometers of runs and plentiful off-piste, it is a perfect setting for an alpine getaway, just 80 kilometers from Innsbruck.
Otztal_Tourismus
The Ice Q restaurant, used in the James Bond movie "Spectre," lies on the summit of the Gaislachkogl mountain and is one of about 30 huts and eateries dotted around the ski area.
The Ice Q restaurant, used in the James Bond movie "Spectre," lies on the summit of the Gaislachkogl mountain and is one of about 30 huts and eateries dotted around the ski area.
Bergbahnen Solden
Skiers and snowboarders with strong legs and lungs can walk an extra 20 minutes above the Schwarze Schneid II gondola above Rettenbach to access the Schwarze Schneid viewing platform at 3,340 meters. The reward is spectacular 360-degree vistas across the Alps and the Dolomites.
Skiers and snowboarders with strong legs and lungs can walk an extra 20 minutes above the Schwarze Schneid II gondola above Rettenbach to access the Schwarze Schneid viewing platform at 3,340 meters. The reward is spectacular 360-degree vistas across the Alps and the Dolomites.
Otztal_Tourismus
Above the Tiefenbach glacier a 15-meter pyramid stands sentinel over a steel and glass footbridge which extends 20 meters over a gaping abyss with the glacier far below and offers up-close views of the Wildspitze.
Above the Tiefenbach glacier a 15-meter pyramid stands sentinel over a steel and glass footbridge which extends 20 meters over a gaping abyss with the glacier far below and offers up-close views of the Wildspitze.
Otztal Tourismus
Soelden is a popular place for a party with apres ski to suit all tastes.
Soelden is a popular place for a party with apres ski to suit all tastes.
Otztal Tourismus
The Aqua Dome is Soelden's thermal spa set deep in the Otztal mountains.
The Aqua Dome is Soelden's thermal spa set deep in the Otztal mountains.
Otztal Tourismus
The recently installed high-speed Giggijochbahn whisks skiers up into Soelden's ski area with minimum delays.
The recently installed high-speed Giggijochbahn whisks skiers up into Soelden's ski area with minimum delays.
BergbahnenSolden