Spring Skiing in Tyrolean Soll
After a swift and convenient Ryanair flight from Stansted to Innsbruck and a mere 50-minute transfer, we arrived in our friendly, family-run 3* Hotel Eggerwirt, right in the centre of Soell - with a ski bus stop right outside, which allowed us to get to the chairlift in four minutes. When returning to the hotel after a long and hard day of skiing (and some 'apres-skiing' in one of the many bars), we usually relaxed in the sauna and steam room facilities before getting ready for delicious three-course-dinners.
'Skiwelt Soell Wilder Kaiser' is Austria's largest and most modern interconnected ski area, offering 90 cable car/chair lifts and 280 kilometres of slopes from easy blue beginners, to enjoyable reds and a few challenging black runs. This ski area consists of Soell, Hochsoell, Brixen im Thale, Ellmau, Going, Scheffau, Hopfgarten, Westendorf and Itter to make up the famous 'Skiwelt' (ski world). For peace of mind there are sufficient snow cannons stationed across the whole ski region to guarantee plenty of snow, no matter what the weather. During our stay this late in the season, we still experienced powder snow and plenty of snow coverage with up to 2.5 metres.
On our first day, we tackled the 'Black Pipe', a black run with a gradient of more than 80% - a pure adrenaline rush for all. I really enjoyed the 'Ski and Boarder Cross' Red Viper as well as the 'speed measuring run', fun parks for skiers and snowboarders alike, a snow igloo village near one of the snow-kindergartens and the numerous 'apres-ski' bars with entertainment until well after ski lift closure.
The best thing about skiing so late in the season was no doubt the lovely mild temperatures, which meant we could literally ski in our new, trendy salopettes and didn't have to wear several layers of thermals underneath! Plus, we managed to work on our 'skiers tan' (or panda faces) all week!
Apart from slopes for all skiing abilities, 'Skiwelt' also offers two (daytime and) flood-lit toboggan runs for all the family as well as the longest night skiing piste in Austria! Unfortunately, we arrived a little too late in the season for the night time skiing which had finished the week before.
The resort of Soell even offers a 'back stage guided tour' of the 'piste basher', learning all about preparing the slopes.
My family (particularly our 19-year-old daughter!) enjoyed the 77 ski huts, spread across the ski region, all offering great Tyrolean hospitality with local delicacies, refreshing 'schiwasser' (raspberry squash for skiers) and the odd 'Jagertee' (tea with a dash of rum) and 'Gluehwein' (mulled wine). Our favourite lunch-time spot was undoubtedl the revolving 'Gipfelarm' restaurant on the 'Hohe Salve' peak, which offered a fantastic 360-degree panoramic view across several 3000m summits across the Kitzbuehel and Zillertal Alps.
If you are thinking of visiting this ski area as a family with younger children, then look no further! There is a witches themed beginner skiing area, perfect for the very young skiers. 'Kiko' provides supervision and snow clubs for toddlers from 1 year of age. Older children can go crazy in the Crazy Kangaroo Park and Funny Bird Slope.
What else can I say? We will definitely be returning to this fabulous skiing resort next season. If you have got any questions at all then please don't hesitate to get in touch with me for more information and help to create your own, bespoke (family) skiing holiday in Austrian Tyrol.