Winter in Ötztal:sporty, varied and full of great highlights
Last updated on 01.12.2025
The ski season in Tirol’s longest side valley starts as usual with top-class events and 100% snow reliability thanks to its high alpine altitude. Two World Cup races and the early opening of the ski areas of Sölden and Gurgl make scenic Ötztal a perfect stage for international top sports. 368 slope kilometers and 90 state-of-the-art mountain lifts promise full-scale variety. The ultimate Ötztal Super Skipass opens the turnstiles to all the valley’s slopes. Even away from the lifts, the variety is impressive: tranquil natural areas in Vent, Gries and Niederthai, the family-friendly Hochoetz region, alongside the sporty urban lifestyle in Sölden and premium enjoyment in Gurgl.
Ötztal is exactly the right place for winter sports enthusiasts with high demands: six different ski areas stretching up to 3,340 meters above sea level guarantee perfectly groomed slopes and absolute snow reliability from October to May. Top modern mountain lifts, spectacular panoramic viewpoints and myriad accommodation options – from family-friendly apartments to five-star hotels – offer infrastructures of top-notch quality. Even without lifts you can actively explore high alpine nature when winter hiking and snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing or ski touring.
Hochoetz: For families. For connoisseurs. Für everyone.
With 71 days of sunshine, Hochoetz is one of the sunniest ski regions in the country. The snow-sure slopes reaching up to 2,272 meters have been awarded the Tirolean Slope Quality Seal. In combination with the neighboring Kühtai ski area, it features almost 90 kilometers of slopes and 27 mountain lifts – all included in the day skipass. A special kids’ land, children’s fun courses and beginner areas offer ideal conditions for beginners, families and connoisseurs.
The winter season start on 06 December 2025, promises perfectly groomed ski slopes and attractive deals. A special tip for families: during the Happy Family Weeks (6–20 Dec 2025, 10–24 Jan 2026, 14–21 March 2026), children born in 2020 and younger benefit from a free skipass, including ski lessons and five days of childcare at the Hochoetz kindergarten. Starting in winter 2025/26, a significantly more frequent bus service running between Kühtai and Ochsengarten will make it easier to enjoy a car-free stay. The 30-minute interval allows for even more flexibility if you want to explore the combined Hochoetz-Kühtai ski area in a relaxed manner.
Sölden: Ski action at the Heartbeat of the Alps
146 kilometers of immaculate slopes, two glaciers, three 3,000 m high peaks equipped with the BIG 3 viewing platforms and 31 mountain lifts – Sölden stands for winter sports at a world-class level. Modern snowmaking systems as well as altitudes between 1,350 and 3,340 meters guarantee simply the best conditions as well as absolute snow reliability. The glacier season starts in October, with the rest of the winter ski area following in mid-November. Modern gondola lifts at Giggijoch and Gaislachkogl promise quick access to the slopes. Starting next winter, a new connection will be available between the two ski mountains, providing easy access to the respective gondola base stations even without the use of lifts.
Gaislachkogl boasts Austria’s highest two-toque awarded restaurant ice Q and the
007 ELEMENTS Adventure World that takes visitors deep into the world of James Bond. Additionally, Sölden is Austria’s only ski resort where 3 three-thousand-meter high peaks can be reached by gondola lift.
Gurgl: Premium level at the Diamond of the Alps
The premium ski resort stretches from 1,800 up to 3,030 meters above sea level, offering 112 kilometers of fabulous slopes, 25 mountain lifts and scenic refreshment spots such as Hohe Mut Alm (2,670 m) or Top Mountain Star (3,030 m) 360° panorama bar. Excellent hotels combined with sophisticated cuisine will also appeal to gourmets at the Diamond of the Alps. From 20 November 2025, seven feeder gondola lifts will comfortably take winter sports enthusiasts to the ski slopes – without any waiting times and, as part of a pilot project, also with a digital skipass valid for one or two days on your smartphone.
Unique Gurgl Carat presents itself as a top modern event location, while the truly eye-catching Top Mountain Crosspoint complex is home to a restaurant, a gondola lift station and Europe’s highest motorbike museum – Top Mountain Motorcycle Experience.
Variety of events in the valley
At the Hochoetz Mountain New Year’s Eve, the turn of the year will be celebrated at 2,020 meters above sea level with a laser show and a scenic wintry backdrop.
Those who are active during the day will also find an exciting evening program in Ötztal: night skiing, night tobogganing, Elements by Night, Summit Dinner at ice Q, exclusive dinner at FALCON or just relaxing hours in the unique thermal spa and sauna world of AQUA DOME in Längenfeld will enhance any stay in Tirol’s longest side valley. Biking in winter? This fabulous alternative on two wheels is available in Austria’s only indoor bike park at AREA 47 right at the entrance to Ötztal valley.
A highlight of the 2026 event calendar is the exclusive Diamond Beats winter festival in Gurgl from 11 to 13 March 2026: this event combines curated music performances with creativity, enjoyment and alpine flair. A true experience for all senses that surprises visitors with new impulses, inspiring sounds and unforgettable moments. At the Electric Mountain Festival, skiing in bright sunshine becomes an energetic event: from 13 to 18 April 2026, international top DJs will heat up Sölden with pulsating beats – the perfect combination of great DJ sound, culinary highlights and skiing fun amidst the high alpine panorama. On 10 April 2026, Sölden’s Rettenbach Glacier will once again become the stage for the glacier spectacle Hannibal. The staging of the Carthaginian general’s historic crossing of the Alps will captivate the audience with a unique natural backdrop at over 3,000 meters above sea level and spectacular show effects. The freestyle scene will gather for sunshine skiing in Hochoetz as part of the Styland Sessions. At the community event, an international crew of shapers will create a harmonious atmosphere by transforming Hochoetz into a freeride zone.
Multi-faceted snow adventure
Ötztal shows how varied a winter holiday can be – even away from the perfectly groomed ski slopes. 250 kilometers of winter hiking trails lead through snow-covered forests and picture-book holiday villages. Guided snowshoe hikes invite you to explore the quiet side of alpine nature up close.
Cross-country ski enthusiasts can look forward to a nearly 150 kilometer network of Nordic trails (half for skating, half for classic style) with tracks and routes for all skill levels: from practice loop trails to classic and skating tracks as well as high-altitude trails and biathlon facilities. The Nordic Sports Arena Niederthai and the Längenfeld Cross-Country Ski Center, in particular, represent top quality across the board – even awarded the Tirolean Cross-Country Ski Quality Seal and the title of Tirolean Cross-Country Ski Specialist. On 13 + 14 December 2025, Niederthai invites you to join the cross-country ski opening with a varied program to enjoy the season’s first Nordic trail loop.
Tobogganing fun is guaranteed on 15 runs spread across the valley, including the 7.3 kilometer toboggan run in Sölden, which – like many others – is regularly illuminated in the evening and accessible by gondola lift. On the track in Ochsengarten, luge world champion Gerald Kammerlander teaches technique, skills and safe tobogganing for both adults and children in weekly workshops (07 Jan to 25 Feb 2026).
Starting this winter, the Ice Park Ötztal will open at the natural swimming lake in Umhausen, featuring a cooled ice rink approximately 330 meters long – a new highlight for winter sports enthusiasts away from the slopes. The facility, open daily with lighting, gastronomy, and rental services, offers ice skating fun for young and old, regardless of weather and temperature. The festive opening is scheduled for Saturday, 6 December.
Nine ice skating rinks, curling lanes, ice climbing and horse-drawn carriage rides round off a memorable winter holiday. When lake Piburger See in Oetz freezes over, it becomes a truly idyllic natural ice rink in the middle of the forest. Surrounded by snow-topped trees, young and old alike glide across the ice of this winter wonderland.
All those looking for relaxation will find an alpine wellness paradise at AQUA DOME – Tirol Therme Längenfeld: thermal pools, sauna parlors, new relaxation areas and an innovative spa area offer top-notch recreation. New from winter 2025/2026: a Finnish outdoor sauna, an inner courtyard serving as a fresh-air oasis and a large relaxation room.
If you prefer action even in winter, AREA 47 has spectacular alternatives: Austria’s first indoor bike hall (3,700 m²) features pump track, skills area and jump line ideal for weather-independent biking and riding fun. The unique offer is complemented by the country’s highest high ropes course at a height of 27 meters.
Ötztal Super Skipass: 1 ticket. 6 ski areas.
When purchasing a skipass for 3 or more days, winter sports fans enjoy access to the Sölden, Gurgl, Hochoetz, Niederthai, Gries and Vent ski areas with the Ötztal Super Ski Pass. A total of 368 slope kilometers and 90 mountain lifts are available with just one ski ticket – the ultimate challenge to hit all the slopes and ski runs within Ötztal.
A skipass for 6 or more days also includes admission to 007 ELEMENTS and Top Mountain Motorcycle Experience. Special tip: early skipass bookers for Sölden and Gurgl can save real cash if buying online – even for day tickets. Skipasses can then be picked up at the ticket machines on site.
Fast and sustainable journey to Ötztal
Whether by car, train or plane, fabulous Ötztal is perfectly connected thanks to its central location at the heart of the Alps. A separate autobahn exit gives direct access by car while Ötztal-Bahnhof express train station serves as a transport hub for international connections. From here, public bus lines, Ötztal Shuttle and taxis can take you straight to your holiday resort. Additional direct rail connections (for example, DB WinterRail) provide a fast and convenient travel option.
The very comfy Ötztal Shuttle also connects Innsbruck Airport, just 50 kilometers away, with the holiday villages in the valley via online booking. On site, public transport lines run between Ötztal-Bahnhof and Gurgl in 30 minute intervals, facilitating a car-free stay. A dense network of free skibus shuttles completes all the excellent mobility options, taking guests comfortably and stress-free directly to the mountain lift terminals – sustainable, efficient and tailored entirely to winter sports.
Further information: www.oetztal.com
Pictures can be found: here
