World Cup Slope
Steep is awesome!
Right at the start of the Ski World Cup season, one of the toughest challenges of the entire winter awaits the giant slalom athletes. Find out here what makes the World Cup slope on Rettenbach Glacier so difficult. After the ski circus has moved on, you too can take on this challenge.
Inclined to slope
Glacier edge, icefall or elephant watering place: the single sections of the World Cup slope are as legendary as they are feared. And for good reason: gradients of up to 68% and the high alpine altitude demand perfect slalom technique and endurance in equal measure.
The Ski World Cup Opening is, alongside the Finals, the only race on the calendar where both women and men compete on the same slope. If you ask the female athletes, the race in Sölden is still described as the most difficult of the season - and it is held right at the start of winter!
The almost vertical and very long steep slope is considered the key point. In short, the motto for a perfect run is the following: get into the rhythm in the flat upper part before holding the line on the steep slope and skiing as actively as possible in order to maintain the speed until reaching the finish line.
Facts
- Starting altitude: 3,040 m
- Finish: 2,670 m
- Difference in altitude: 370 m
- Track length: 1,198 m
- Steepest section: 68.2 %
- Minimum gradient: 15.5 %
- Average gradient: 33 %
- Gates: 41 - 56 gates (depending on course layout)
- Racing speed: 65 - 80 km/h
- Material required: 3,300 m barrier fence, 6,000 m safety net, 13,500 m cable, 400 m air fence, 460 m barrier grid
Spectator area
The finish stadium on the Rettenbach Glacier offers state-of-the-art infrastructure for spectators, athletes, press and technology in one building:
- 1500 seats
- Toilet facilities
- Press centre with 100 workstations
- 15 live broadcasting booths
Ski Challenge
Download the Ski Challenge app to your smartphone and conquer the authentic World Cup slope on the Rettenbach glacier virtually. Anyone who successfully masters the course by October 26, 2025, will automatically be entered into a prize draw for three 1-day ski passes for the Sölden ski resort. And with a little luck, you can take on the challenge “in real life.” Take part now!
