What thoughts do you lot have on Solden??

Hi folks,

I enjoy skiing in Austria. I've already got 2 weeks in January in Saalbach/Hinterglemm and I'm now looking to book another week elsewhere.

I've trawled the review sites and it appears that Solden seems to show up for me as being my kind of place. Can someone offer some real time views on this place please.

Thanks in advance.

I dont know anynone who has been there, but it is somewhere I would like to ski. High altitude, great red runs, and some lively Austrian bars.
Some reports suggest it can be rowdy and sleaxy, others talk of the place being full of Dutch and Germans groups in strip bars and nightclubs all night, but these are probably extremes at peak times.
Ischgl appears to be a better option all round, in terms of the skiing and the apres which is still lively but not so "rowdy".
I have yet to meet anyone British who has skied Solden.

Hi

I went to Solden a few years ago with CrystalSki and would go back.

The ski area is known as the Big 3 with 3 peaks over 3000m. There are two main lifts up, I think they are building a 3rd, so it does have longer queues than other places in the morning.

It is popular with Germans/Dutch, not many Brits there but it's fine. There are a few strip joints, didn't get to go unfortunately, so can't comment. I don't think it is any rowdier than anywhere else. There are plenty of bars and restaurants and a good sports centre with swimming pool if the weather is no good.

Ischgl is meant to be more of a party town, we wanted to go there but couldn't find anywhere for a late booking, it's more popular and more expensive.

Solden is about 90 mins from Innsbruck airport so it's not too much of a trek.

Here are several facts because I saw few wrong informations.
According to Austria tourism statistic Solden is the most visited ski resort in Austria - 2.219.294 overnights in season 2008/2009. Solden has also the highest occupancy ratio of accomodation.
Solden and Ischgl have very similar prices and both resorts have extraordinary ski arenas, perfect apres ski.

Sölden has been discussed here recently on another thread. You could search for Solden / Soelden / Sölden. I stopped there recently on the way back from Obergurgl. A long, narrow town, many bars some with party atmosphere, ski hire and sales shops, one visible 'girlie' bar (not sure if its a brothel, I did not go in), as well as a few normal quiet cafes. The town looks like it lives from tourism and not much else. I have not skied there. You can always take a bus 20 mins up the valley to Hochburgl/Obergurgl (also much discussed on this forum), or I imagine there are buses down the Ötztal (i.e. Ötz / Oetz Valley), a fair way back towards the main road from Innbsbruck, for Hoch Ötz, which I skied only as a complete beginner so I cannot comment on the pistes, but I remember it has a great spa with really warm open air pool, an amazing feeling when the air is freezing, so I was thinking of skiing there Saturday.

Skiing in Otztal valley is absolutely always good idea.
13 km from Solden (direction to Innsbruck) is Aqua dome with great wellness and spa. It is a perfect place to spend time after skiing whole day.

Welcome to the forum Sunny :D Which Tourist Office do you work for?

Hello :-)
I'm on master study of International management in tourism and because of some works on university I know some facts that I wrote. Statistic is very important especially when we are talking about popularity, prices etc.