Sustainable holidays in Sölden
Eco? Logical!
Between alpine variety and regional enjoyment, we consciously think about the future without forgetting our roots. We don't just protect, we actively promote ecological ideas. Our natural spaces are unique places of relaxation for you and our basis of existence. Together with partners and the local community, we are shaping a holiday region that focuses on quality, respect and a future-oriented mindset. Welcome to Sölden, where sustainability is a deeply rooted way of life.
Conscious enjoyment
Sölden combines culinary treats with regional value creation: short supply chains, seasonal products and strong partnerships with local producers characterize the comprehensive offer.
Alpinarik Sölden
What belongs together grows together: Alpinarik Sölden connects local food producers throughout the valley with the local alpine pasture inns, huts and mountain restaurants. As Alpinarik Duos, all these partners create themed signature dishes "Made in Ötztal" whose main ingredients are produced and prepared directly in the valley. Discover the huge culinary variety of Sölden and find out what the true Ötztal tastes like!Es wächst zusammen, was zusammengehört: Die Alpinarik Sölden verbindet lokale Lebensmittelproduzenten im Tal mit den ansässigen Almen, Hütten und Berggastrobetrieben. Als Alpinarik-Duos kreieren die teilnehmenden Betriebe jeweils thematische Signature Dishes „Made in Ötztal“, deren Hauptzutaten direkt im Tal produziert und anschließend zubereitet werden. Entdecke die kulinarische Vielfalt Söldens und finde heraus, wie das wahre Ötztal schmeckt!
Bewusst Tirol Quality Seal
The unrivaled "Bewusst Tirol" quality seal recognizes businesses that consistently focus on regional products. More local ingredients on your plate, stronger cooperation between agriculture and tourism - sounds good, right? Sölden and Ötztal? Real pioneers! Over 30 partners are already certified and many more will follow.
Eppas Guets Treats
"Eppas Guets" means "something good" in Ötztal dialect. And that's exactly what you will find here: an initiative of the Ötztal Nature Park that brings regional ingredients straight to your plate. Over 50 producers from the valley open their farm shops and show what true quality means. Fresh dairy products, meat specialties, handmade delicacies, "Eppas Guets" is pure agricultural variety. From the local producer directly to your plate. Tastes like home, doesn't it?
Even more sustainable enjoyment
How do regional food cycles work? It's quite simple: every winter season, around 50 whole Tirolean alpine cattle end up on our plates, that's almost 20 tons of the finest beef. Directly from local farmers to our kitchens, without any detours. This is a true partnership between tourism and agriculture. Transparent, regional and with great respect for animals and the environment: a model project that even tastes delicious.
Since 2019, young people from the gastronomy, hotel and tourism sectors have been building careers as Ötztal Culinary Ambassadors. Their mission? Understanding regional product cycles from their origin to their processing. They learn what quality stands for and how local products contribute to the quality of life in the valley. Ambassadors focusing on culinary enjoyment, tradition and the future - straight from Ötztal.
Culture & Nature
There is a lot more than just mountain sports enjoyed between the valleys three thousand meter high peaks. The Ötztal Nature Park protects 500 km² of alpine landscape, the Ötztal Museums bring the valley's cultural identity to life: nature meets culture here!
Ötztal Nature Park
The Ötztal Nature Park is one of Tirol's largest protected areas. Glaciers, high alpine trail and rare habitats provide refuge areas for countless animal and plant species. On Sölden's Silent Side, you can immerse yourself deeply in this natural environment, whether on foot, by bike or during multi-day hikes from hut to hut.
Understand nature instead of just admiring it: at the Nature Park House, several info points and on guided tours, useful knowledge about climate, geology and biodiversity becomes tangible. It also helps to promote the long-term protection of stone pine forests, quiet zones and alpine side valleys.
The year-round program of hikes, snowshoe tours and theme trails shows the alpine landscape from a completely new perspective. Be it nature trails, archaeological paths or geological routes - each trail tells its own story. Are you ready for the next step?
Facts about Ötztal Nature Park
- 510.5 km² in size
- Tirol's 2nd largest nature park
- Austria's 3rd largest nature park
- 91 km² glacier area
- 67 glaciers
- 1,600 km high alpine trail network
- 152 peaks over 3,000 meters
- Tirol's largest waterfall
Ötztal Museums
The Ötztal Museums bring the valley's history to life. At several exhibitions, events and educational programs, you can explore the region from its beginnings to the present day: glacial development, rural life, archaeology and architectural heritage - all under one roof, or rather three roofs as the collective includes the Tower Museum (in Oetz), the Local Heritage Museum and the Memory Archives (both in Längenfeld).
Interactive formats like photo walks and audio guides let you immerse in the valley's history and development. History to touch, understand and marvel at. Ready for a journey back in time?
"Eppas Guets" instead of "something good" - it sounds different here. And for good reason: the Ötztal dialect is part of our intangible cultural heritage and shapes our identity. The digital dialect dictionary documents this unique linguistic region and makes it accessible to everyone. Got it?
Local Sweeping Team
A shared commitment to cleanliness throughout the municipality: since 2022, the Local Sweeping Team Sölden has been working diligently to ensure that the holiday villages remain well-maintained in Sölden, Vent, Zwieselstein and Hochsölden. We care. And that's why we sweep!
Energy & Resources
Innovation that protects. From efficient snowmaking systems and sustainable trails to eco-friendly lodgings: Sölden is shaping the future of mountain sports responsibly.
more than just H₂O
In Ötztal valley and therefore also in Sölden, water is more than just H₂O. It's a precious resource of exceptional quality. Our drinking water comes directly from alpine springs and is filtered through natural rock layers. The great result: crystal-clear purity that meets the highest standards. Regular testing guarantees that it meets the strictest requirements and standards. You can enjoy it without hesitation.
We want to use this valuable Ötztal water in a responsible way, together with you. Here is how you can contribute to the protection of our alpine waters:
- Refill water bottles: use tap water to avoid single-use bottles
- Avoid bottled water: simply enjoy local tap water
- Avoid litter: don't leave trash in or near rivers, brooks and lakes
- Naturally clean: don't use detergents or cleaning agents in natural waters
- Respect rivers & lakeshores: pay attention to signs and stay away from sensitive lake and river areas
- Conserve water: report dripping faucets, reuse towels, only take quick showers.
By using water consciously and respectfully, we can all help secure and preserve this precious resource for future generations. Are you in?
Sölden Ski Area
Thanks to its high alpine altitude of up to 3,340 m and two glacier ski areas, the Sölden ski resort offers absolute snow guarantee in winter while sustainable energy solutions support this natural advantage.
- Snow management software and modern snowmaking systems ensure resource-efficient water consumption
- Solar power plant on the glacier: since 2023, the innovative HELIOPLant® System installed on Tiefenbach Glacier has been supplying efficient solar power. 800 vertical modules optimally use the alpine sun (up to 40% higher yield), remain snow-free in winter and also withstand extreme wind gusts and powder avalanches (planned completion in 2026)
- Sölden ski slope junction: the piste connection between the "Giggijoch" and "Gaislachkogl" ski mountains reduces local (skibus) traffic sustainably
- Use of green electricity for ski lifts and mountain infrastructure (no diesel generators are used)
Bike Republic Sölden
When it comes to sustainability, Bike Republic Sölden is considered a prime example for countless other destinations. The eco-friendly trail construction is designed to take only what is necessary from nature and to minimize the impact on the area: for example, 7,700 trees have been planted and 3,500 kg of seeds sown to date. We explain all the measures taken on the Bike Republic website.
Digitalization
Digitalization means efficiency and service with a focus on sustainability:
- Reduction of print products in favor of digital information channels
- Digital guest communication raging from ticketing to service
- Smart systems for energy and process management
- Innovative technologies such as AI-supported safety systems for mountain lifts
These measures result in modern solutions that conserve resources and simultaneously enhance your holiday experience.
Accessibility on your Sölden holiday
Mountains for everyone. Accessibility means that everyone can travel independently whether it's a family with a stroller, seniors or people with disabilities. In Sölden, we create spaces that exclude no one. Accessible, open and designed just for you.
Special attention is paid to key infrastructure such as mountain lifts, medical care, local amenities and public transportation. Many services are barrier-free and clearly marked.
Are you traveling in a wheelchair or with other mobility challenges or disabilities? It's best to check with your transportation provider in advance to see what options are available as the facilities at public transport stations vary. All train and rail operators offer online registration to make your trip as comfortable as possible.
Here you will find all the important information about accessible travel: DB, ÖBB and SBB look forward to help you.
Accessible facilities feature the following:
- Wide doors and passageways (at least 80 cm passage width)
- Rooms with sufficient maneuvering space (150 cm passage width)
- Good lighting in all areas
- In multi-story buildings: an elevator is available and large enough for wheelchairs (at least 150 cm passage width), controls are easily accessible and have tactile labels (80 to 110 cm high)
- Accessible restrooms (at least 150 cm passage width) and grab bars/handles (80 to 110 cm high)
- Adequate number of clearly marked disabled parking spaces near the entrance
- Information such as brochures and websites accessible and easily usable by everyone
For individual requirements, we strongly recommend to contact the accommodation provider directly in order to ensure the best possible solution.
Travel & Mobility
Direct train connections, public buses every 30 minutes plus the 50 km long Ötztal Cycle Trail make car-free travel easy. The comprehensive "Ötztal 2030" mobility strategy is also working on medium and long-term measures.
Arriving by bus & train
We actively promote travel by bus and train: daily direct train connections to Ötztal-Bahnhof station and additional direct connections during the winter months (for example: DB WinterRail) offer several sustainable travel options. Once at the railway station, you can effortlessly change to the valley-wide bus service.
Public transport lines
The valley-wide public bus runs in 30-minute intervals and has more than 50 stops. In winter, you can use public transport free of charge with a valid skipass or Guest Card. In summer, you can travel at a discounted rate with your Guest Card or even free of charge with the Summer Card. Good to know: many buses are equipped with bike trailers during the summer months.
Even more mobility details
Featuring around 100 charging stations and over 160 charging points spread across the valley, sustainable mobility is actively supported. Such a dense network ensures comfortable traveling by electric car to Tirol's longest side valley.
Events
Sustainability plays a central role in our event planning. Take the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon, for example, which meets the requirements of the Green Events criteria catalog and is therefore authorized to bear the name of a partner event. It also includes a reusable drinking cup system that considerably reduces waste and is additionally available to local clubs and organizations.
The cycling event also sets an example in terms of social sustainability. At the Bike 4Help Prologue, participants pedal for a good cause and all the entry fees are collected for a charitable purpose.
Lebensraum Ötztal: Habitat for all. For tomorrow.
"Lebensraum Ötztal" initiative connects nature, economy and quality of life between Haiming and Vent. The main aim is to safeguard the valley's character for future generations through responsible action. How to reach this goal? Authentic dialogue, strong solidarity and a good balance between the past and the future. Here, tradition meets innovation and the valley can benefit from all these measures.
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VALLEY-WIDE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Travel comfortably by public transport to the starting point of your tour.