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Ötztal & Sölden

Glaciers, a Bond Film Set and Thermal Pools

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹11,720From / night₹3,410Food / day₹4,900Entry

Tyrol's longest side valley, running south from the Inn to the Italian border: Sölden with its two glacier ski areas and the Gaislachkogl at 3,048 m (the ice Q restaurant and the 007 Elements James Bond installation), Obergurgl higher still, the Aqua Dome thermal pools at Längenfeld, and the Ötzi village at Umhausen. Skiing on the glaciers from autumn to spring, walking and the Timmelsjoch pass road to South Tyrol in summer. Reached by train to Ötztal station and about an hour by bus up the valley.

Highlights

  • Gaislachkogl summit at 3,048 m and 007 Elements
  • Glacier skiing from autumn to spring
  • Aqua Dome's outdoor thermal bowls
  • Stuibenfall, Tyrol's highest waterfall
  • Timmelsjoch pass road to Italy (summer)
  • Ötzi the Iceman's village

Things to do

  • Gaislachkogl lift and 007 ElementsMorning · 3h 30m
  • Aqua Dome thermal pools at LängenfeldAfternoon · 3h
  • Stuibenfall waterfall climbMorning · 3h
  • Ötzi Village at UmhausenAfternoon · 2h
  • Drive or bus up the Timmelsjoch roadJun–OctAfternoon · 3h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Ötztal & Söldenvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Ötztal & Söldenvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: December – April (ski); July – September (summer)

Heads up

Timmelsjoch Pass Closed

The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road from Obergurgl over to South Tyrol is open only from about June to October. The Ötztal itself, Sölden and the glacier lifts stay open in winter.

Heads up

Works on the Salzburg–Innsbruck Railway

The fast Railjets between Salzburg and Innsbruck run through a corner of Germany, where the line is being rebuilt: reports in 2026 said it closes for the first half of 2027, with trains sent round by Zell am See (about 1.5 hours longer) or replaced by buses, and longer journeys before that. The dates have changed more than once: check the ÖBB timetable and its works page for your dates before booking.

Heads up

Ski Season Prices

Winter is high season: rooms cost most and are hardest to find from Christmas to New Year and in the February school holidays, when many hotels sell only week-long stays. January (outside the holidays) and March are better value.

Worth knowing

Between Seasons: Hotels and Lifts Closed

After Easter until late May or June, and in November, many hotels, restaurants and lifts close between the ski and summer seasons, and trails above the village can be under snow. Check that the lifts you want are running before you book. The Kitzsteinhorn and the Ötztal glaciers keep some lifts open longer.

Heads up

Snow Can Close the Valley Road

After very heavy snow the road up the valley can close for hours or a day for avalanche danger. Keep a spare day before an international flight in winter.

  • Almabtrieb (cattle coming down from the high pastures) — From mid-September to early October herds come down from the summer pastures garlanded with flowers and bells, with village fairs on the day. Dates are set locally, often only weeks ahead.
  • Ski World Cup opener — The Alpine skiing World Cup season opens on the Rettenbach glacier above Sölden on a weekend in late October; Sölden fills for it.