Holiday houses and apartments in Sölden, Austria

Description and History

Located deep in Austria’s stunning Ötztal Valley in Tyrol, Sölden is a world-renowned alpine resort where traditional mountain charm blends seamlessly with cutting-edge tourism. Originally a quiet, isolated farming community, Sölden’s timeline changed dramatically in 1948 with the construction of the first single-seater chairlift to Hochsölden. Driven by local visionaries, the town evolved from a humble mountain village into one of Europe’s leading destinations for winter sports and summer mountain adventures.

Today, the town serves as a vibrant epicenter for travelers seeking the perfect vacation home or luxury villa right on the slopes. The architecture perfectly reflects the area’s history, with rustic wooden houses juxtaposing with futuristic gondola stations and modern glass-fronted buildings. Sölden is particularly known for its “BIG3” – the three majestic peaks of Gaislachkogl, Tiefenbachkogl and Schwarze Schneide, all of which rise above 3,000 metres and are easily accessible by modern gondolas.

Whether you want a cosy self-catering holiday apartment for your family holiday, a modern apartment close to the après-ski scene or a large alpine villa for a group of friends, Sölden offers first-class holiday homes as the perfect base for an unforgettable mountain holiday.

Nature

Sölden’s natural landscape is characterised by raw and dramatic high mountain nature. The area stretches from 1,368 metres to almost 3,300 metres above sea level and offers unique nature experiences.

Double glaciers

The Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers ensure snow-sure conditions from October to May, making the area one of Austria’s most stable ski destinations.

Waterfalls and rivers

The valley is cut through by crystal-clear glacial rivers and is close to impressive sights such as the Stuibenfall, Tyrol's highest waterfall.

Protected wilderness

Dense pine forests, blooming alpine meadows and panoramic views of more than 250 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres make the area spectacular all year round.

Activities

Sölden is a destination full of action and adventure all year round.

Winter activities

Skiing and snowboarding are among the biggest attractions, with access to 144 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes. Adventurous skiers can try the BIG3 Rally – a 50-kilometre route that connects the area's three iconic peaks in one day.

Tobogganing is also popular, and the town offers a 7.2-kilometer-long floodlit toboggan run, ideal for family evenings in the snow.

James Bond fans should visit 007 ELEMENTS, the spectacular installation built directly into the Gaislachkogl mountain, where scenes from the movie Spectre were filmed.

Summer activities

In summer, the area transforms into a paradise for hikers and mountaineers with hundreds of kilometers of marked trails – from gentle valley walks to challenging via ferrata routes.

Mountain bike enthusiasts can explore BIKE REPUBLIC SÖLDEN, which offers a huge network of natural trails, flowlines and world-class pump tracks.

Typical foods

Tyrolean cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes that provide energy after long days in the mountains.

Ötztaler Kasspatzln

Soft egg noodles rolled in strong local mountain cheeses and topped with crispy caramelized onions.

Tiroler Gröstl

A classic pan-fried dish of potatoes, onions and minced beef or pork, served with fried eggs and seasoned with marjoram.

Kaiserschmarrn

A fluffy, shredded pancake caramelized in the pan and served with powdered sugar and traditional stewed plums.

Alpine game and trout

Local game dishes and freshly caught river trout are often served with lingonberries and potato dumplings.

Festivals and events

Sölden is known for its lively calendar of sporting events, music festivals and traditional Alpine festivals.

FIS Alpine Ski World Cup

Every October, the Alpine Ski World Cup opens the season on the Rettenbach Glacier, attracting the world's best skiers and thousands of visitors.

Hannibal

In April, the spectacular open-air show Hannibal takes place on the glacier, featuring skiers, helicopters, light shows and storytelling inspired by Hannibal's crossing of the Alps.

Electric Mountain Festival

This popular EDM festival combines spring skiing with international DJs and huge outdoor parties in the mountains.

BRS Festival

An action-packed mountain bike festival in June with nighttime jumps, trail rallies and DJ sets at sunset.

Almabtrieb

In autumn, the beautifully decorated cows return from the mountain meadows to the valley for a traditional folk festival with brass bands, local crafts and regional specialties.

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