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Introduction
In the 1980s Söll took the crown from Italy's Sauze d'Oulx as the party hotspot in the Alps, especially for young British skiers. Shortly after that snowboarding burst upon the winter sports scene and changed the map altogether.
Although still one of the livelier choices in Alpine skiing, Söll rarely makes the headlines for anything other than its traditional Tirolean ambience and large, accessible ski area. Parallel to Sauze d'Oulx, Söll has a long history as a farming centre from long before winter sports were thought of. Despite extensive growth as a tourist resort, it has kept a lot of its character by maintaining historic architectural standards, with the village still centred on its beautiful old church.
Söll is one of eight villages with mostly inter-linked ski areas that together form Austria's largest single ski area, the SkiWelt (ski world) with 250km (157 miles) of ski runs, more than 180km (113 miles) of which have snowmaking cover. The runs are served by 89 lifts and there are 70 mountain restaurants in the ski region in which to take a break.
Although still one of the livelier choices in Alpine skiing, Söll rarely makes the headlines for anything other than its traditional Tirolean ambience and large, accessible ski area. Parallel to Sauze d'Oulx, Söll has a long history as a farming centre from long before winter sports were thought of. Despite extensive growth as a tourist resort, it has kept a lot of its character by maintaining historic architectural standards, with the village still centred on its beautiful old church.
Söll is one of eight villages with mostly inter-linked ski areas that together form Austria's largest single ski area, the SkiWelt (ski world) with 250km (157 miles) of ski runs, more than 180km (113 miles) of which have snowmaking cover. The runs are served by 89 lifts and there are 70 mountain restaurants in the ski region in which to take a break.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 703m (2,306ft).
Top elevation: 1,956m (6,417ft). (All statistics are for the Skiwelt Region; Söll does not publish separate figures).
Base elevation: 650m (2,133ft).
Number of lifts: 122.
Number of runs: 89.
Average annual snowfall: 3m (10ft).
Where in the world?
Söll is located in the Wilder Kaiser Alps region within the province of Tirol, in northwest Austria, very close to the German border.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid December to mid April.
A modern gondola, based about a kilometre from the village, is the access point into Soll's giant ski area - the SkiWelt. Beginners have wide sunny slopes to learn their craft at the top or bottom of the mountain, depending on snow conditions. A special beginners-only lift ticket is available which saves money if you don't want the full SkiWelt pass (no Söll-only ticket).
Intermediates will feel they can ski forever from Söll's central position. There is a marked circuit of around 20 runs that is fun to do, but if the huge SkiWelt is not enough, you can now go further still thanks to the Ki-West gondola, and a short bus link, which connects the SkiWelt to Kitzbuhel's own big ski area. Together there are more than 400km (250 miles) of mostly lift-linked pistes, one of the world's biggest ski areas (and certainly Austria's).
If that's still not enough a further option is the Kitzbüheler Alpen Ski Pass which incorporates further neighbouring areas (but not lift linked, so a car is handy, although there are good bus connections) to include 260 lifts serving 680km (425 miles) of runs.
Experts should be able to find plenty to entertain themselves in all that: there are eight blacks locally in the SkiWelt.
A modern gondola, based about a kilometre from the village, is the access point into Soll's giant ski area - the SkiWelt. Beginners have wide sunny slopes to learn their craft at the top or bottom of the mountain, depending on snow conditions. A special beginners-only lift ticket is available which saves money if you don't want the full SkiWelt pass (no Söll-only ticket).
Intermediates will feel they can ski forever from Söll's central position. There is a marked circuit of around 20 runs that is fun to do, but if the huge SkiWelt is not enough, you can now go further still thanks to the Ki-West gondola, and a short bus link, which connects the SkiWelt to Kitzbuhel's own big ski area. Together there are more than 400km (250 miles) of mostly lift-linked pistes, one of the world's biggest ski areas (and certainly Austria's).
If that's still not enough a further option is the Kitzbüheler Alpen Ski Pass which incorporates further neighbouring areas (but not lift linked, so a car is handy, although there are good bus connections) to include 260 lifts serving 680km (425 miles) of runs.
Experts should be able to find plenty to entertain themselves in all that: there are eight blacks locally in the SkiWelt.
Beyond the slopes
Söll has a better-than-average range of off-slope activities for its size.
The Panoramabad adventure swimming pool provides a lot of family fun and there are squash courts, a bowling alley and several health and beauty centress offering saunas and massage services.
Outdoor activities include a natural ice rink plus curling, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoe walks and 30km (19 miles) of cleared winter hiking trails.
The Panoramabad adventure swimming pool provides a lot of family fun and there are squash courts, a bowling alley and several health and beauty centress offering saunas and massage services.
Outdoor activities include a natural ice rink plus curling, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoe walks and 30km (19 miles) of cleared winter hiking trails.
Family fun
Söll is a good choice for families with its excellent facilities for children, friendly ambience, relaxed restaurants and wide sunny slopes.
The MiniClub (located in the base station building of the gondola) accepts children aged from six months to five years, with discounts when siblings are booked in. Be wary if you are arriving at the very start or end of the season that the Mini Club, which operates from late December to late March, may not be open; check ahead.
Skischule Söll-Hochsöll (Hotel Bergland, Stampfanger 6) has a ski kindergarten for children aged three to five and there are special ski school classes for older children.
The MiniClub (located in the base station building of the gondola) accepts children aged from six months to five years, with discounts when siblings are booked in. Be wary if you are arriving at the very start or end of the season that the Mini Club, which operates from late December to late March, may not be open; check ahead.
Skischule Söll-Hochsöll (Hotel Bergland, Stampfanger 6) has a ski kindergarten for children aged three to five and there are special ski school classes for older children.
Retail therapy
Shopping is not a big activity in Söll, which has 15 stores, half of them selling skiwear and equipment, and three small supermarkets. There are a couple of small souvenir shops selling local Tirolean crafts, particular wooden carved items, but this is not a shopper's paradise.
Après ski
Söll may have lost its wild reputation, but it still has some of the best nightlife in the Alps, concentrated in about 10 lively bars and night spots. The après-ski bars are busy as soon as the lifts close and there are lots of evening activities to try, including floodlit toboggan runs and night skiing, which doubled in coverage to 6km (4 miles) of floodlit trails for the 2007/8 season.
Söll and other Skiwelt resorts make a special effort with singles. A Ski Bunny point at most of the many mountain restaurants is a place where ‘like-minded singles' can get together. There's even a special forum on the Skiwelt website.
Popular night spots include Buffalo's Bar (Dorf 112), Austria Pub (Dorf 10) and the legendary après-ski spot Whisky-Mühle (Dorf 89).
Söll and other Skiwelt resorts make a special effort with singles. A Ski Bunny point at most of the many mountain restaurants is a place where ‘like-minded singles' can get together. There's even a special forum on the Skiwelt website.
Popular night spots include Buffalo's Bar (Dorf 112), Austria Pub (Dorf 10) and the legendary après-ski spot Whisky-Mühle (Dorf 89).
Eating out
Soll has around 20 restaurants, most traditional Tirolean stüberls. The Schindlhaus (Dorf 134), the Ager family's Dorfstub'n (Dorf 59) and Söller Stuben (Dorf 120) are all good choices for Austrian specialities.
Italian food is also well represented in the village with Venezia (Dorf 112), Giovanni (Dorf 58) and Hexenalm (Stampfanger 1) all popular pizzerias.
Italian food is also well represented in the village with Venezia (Dorf 112), Giovanni (Dorf 58) and Hexenalm (Stampfanger 1) all popular pizzerias.
Getting around
A free ski bus (for lift pass holders and/or hotel guest card holders) operates around the resort and to neighbouring villages such as Scheffau.
Splashing out
Sign up for Husky Day on Thursday afternoons (book by 1800 Tuesday) and enjoy a dog sleigh ride and learn about the species. Meet at the Information Office (Dorf 84) in the village.
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotel AlpenpanoramaWell placed, traditional 4-star hotel in a beautiful location, with its own home-made cake shop.
Sonnbichl 18
Tel: (05333) 5309.
Website: www.alpenpanorama-hotel.at
Moderate
Hotel-Restaurant FeldwebelWeinbaur family-run hotel in the village centre; parts of the building date back five centuries.
Dorf 73
Tel: (05333) 5224.
Website: www.feldwebel.at
Budget
Hotel-Pension HuterBeautiful traditional chalet, five minutes' walk from the resort centre and 100m (330ft) from the ski bus stop.
Sonnbichl 9
Tel: (05333) 5121.
Website: www.hotel-huter.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Salzburg (SZG); Innsbruck (INN).
Distance to resort: 70km (43 miles); 100km (63 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour from either airport.
Distance to resort: 70km (43 miles); 100km (63 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour from either airport.
Website
This resort is good for...
Après ski, Intermediates, Families, Beginners, Snowboarders