Adrenaline on the glacier in Sölden: Skiing Elite and World Cup Opening in perfect conditions

Last updated on 16.10.2025

The ski season on the Sölden’s Glacier has been underway since the beginning of October. In addition to guests, the world’s best ski racers also benefit from truly optimal conditions for their training units. They will kick off the alpine competition and Olympic season on 25 and 26 October. Today, Sölden got the green light after the official snow inspection by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Top conditions on the slope

The glacier ski area on Rettenbach and Tiefenbach Glaciers has been open since the beginning of October and boasts perfect conditions for winter sports enthusiasts looking to make their first turns of the season, as well as for the world’s best athletes. Sölden offers an ideal environment for their preparation and training units. International ski teams and all nations participating in the Sölden Ski World Cup have already trained in Sölden, including Ski Austria, the USA and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. They are currently intensively taking advantage of the top conditions on the Sölden glacier to prepare for the new season.

Excellent snow conditions also create the ideal circumstances for the World Cup Opening: in addition to the steep slope with gradients of up to 68%, even the much flatter finish section was modeled with additional waves, giving the entire race course even more dynamism and sporting challenge. Today, the FIS gave the green light for the World Cup Opening in Sölden as part of the official snow inspection on Rettenbach Glacier.

Ladies first on Saturday, 25 October

When giant slalom stars like Mikaela Shiffrin and Alice Robinson line up, spectacular competitions are guaranteed. The first women’s run begins at 10:00, followed by the second run at 13:00. DJ Lukas Brunner and the Desperate Brasswives will provide a lively atmosphere between races right on the glacier. Starting at 18:00, the legendary Fan Club Parade will move from Postplatz square to Giggijoch Gondola. The parade will be followed by the women’s awards ceremony and the men’s bib number draw. The eventful day will conclude with a World Cup Party featuring Beatstarz and DJ Instyle, who will provide rousing sounds well into the night.

Grand finale on Sunday, 26 October

On Austria’s National Holiday, the stage belongs to the men: the first run starts at 10:00, the decisive second run at 13:00. Particular attention will be paid to top athletes such as Marco Odermatt, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, Loïc Meillard and Tirolean World Champion Raphael Haaser, who want to prove their skills and stamina right at the start of the season on Rettenbach Glacier. As soon as the final gates are cleared, the awards ceremony takes place directly in the finish area. Afterwards, athletes, fans and teams will celebrate at the Glacier Party with DJ Lukas Brunner and the Mountain Crew.

Be there, cheer and celebrate

Those who want to experience this special blend of top-class sport, emotion and euphoria up close can secure a ticket in advance online at soelden.com or on site. This ticket not only opens the gates to the Glacier Stadium, but also includes free shuttle transfer to and from the race on public transport lines from Ötztal Bahnhof at the entrance to the valley up to the glacier slope.

In addition to day tickets also two-day tickets are available for the entire race weekend. Children born in 2020 or younger enjoy free admission. Fans from South Tyrol can travel conveniently via Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road which is open daily from 7:00 to 20:00.

Further information: www.soelden.com

From the glacier right into winter season

While the first turns have been made on Rettenbach and Tiefenbach Glaciers since early October, regular winter operations will start in mid-November in the Sölden ski area featuring two new high-performance mountain lifts, connecting ski pistes in the valley area and a lot more. 146 finest slope kilometers, 31 mountain lifts and three ski mountains over 3,000 meters above sea level await winter sports fans here. Thanks to the high alpine location and state-of-the-art snowmaking systems, skiing is possible until the beginning of May.

Program – World Cup Opening Sölden

Friday, 24 October
from 17:30     World Cup Party – Giggijoch Gondola parking area
19:00               Women’s bib number draw – Giggijoch Gondola parking area
Live: DJ Lukas Brunner, exit 207 & DJ Instyle

Saturday, 25. Oktober
10:00 – 1st run Women’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
13:00 – 2nd run Women’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
Glacier Party feat. DJ Lukas Brunner & Desperate Brasswives – Rettenbach Glacier
18:00  Fan Club Parade – from Postplatz square to Giggijoch Gondola
from 19:00     Awards ceremony & men’s bib number draw – Giggijoch Gondola parking area
20:00  World Cup Party feat. Beatstarz & DJ Instyle – Giggijoch Gondola parking area

Sunday, 26 October
10:00 – 1st run Men’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
13:00 – 2nd run Men’s Giant Slalom – Rettenbach Glacier
Followed by awards ceremony & Glacier Party feat. DJ Lukas Brunner & Mountain Crew