The History of Bergbahnen Sölden

1948

1st Lift: Hochsölden Single Chairlift

Skiing and winter sports started in the period between the World Wars, the time of the first ski school and the foundation of the Hochsölden as a high Alpine hotel village.
The huge success as a tourism center started after World War II when the very first lift was built - the single chairlift to Hochsölden. Not all parts of the lift were brand-new, many of the elements (for example, wheels or engine) came from former military equipment. The 42 lift towers were made of wood. The first lift reached a total hourly capacity of 120 persons.

UNTIL 1962

Gradual Development of Innerwald and Hochsölden Ski Areas

In 1952, the Rotkogl single chairlift was the second lift that reached the area above Hochsölden, offering new ski slopes to skiers in winter and lift-assisted hiking for walkers in summer. One year later, the slopeside terrace of Innerwald (hamlet of Sölden) was connected to the valley floor by a chairlift.
Between 1959 and 1962 nine further T-bar lifts were opened - 6 in the hamlet of Innerwald, 2 in Hochsölden and one in the hamlet of Rechenau to the right. 12 mountain lifts in total, one skipass for all lifts was available already from 1960.

1966

Gaislachkogl Development & Opening

The construction of this unrivaled "Ötztaler Gletscherbahn" beyond 3000 meters above sea level, the highest cable car in all Austria at that time, was meant as an alternative to the already crowded mountain lifts and ski slopes of Hochsölden. In March 1966 the first section went into operation, leading up to 2070 m above sea level. Later in May, also the section up to incredible 3040 m altitude was inaugurated. Together with the new cable car, 3 T-bar lifts were built in the Gaislachkogl ski area, plus restaurants at the middle station and the top station.

1971

Interconnected Ski Mountains

Sölden had two neighboring ski mountains - Gaislachkogl and Hochsölden - which were not linked to each other. As the surrounding terrain seemed perfect, the next step was clearly defined: The two chairlifts Langegg 1 and Langegge 2 were built in 1971, and Hochsölden could be reached easily from Gaislachkogl. In 1975 the Stabele double chairlift completed the interconnected ski mountain project, and skiing from one mountain to the next was possible in both directions.

1975

Glacier Road & Development and Opening of Glacier Ski Areas

Construction works for the 13 km long Glacier Road towards Rettenbach Glacier started already in 1971. It was officially opened in July 1975 together with the very first T-bar glacier lift, followed by the double chairlift leading up to Rettenbachjoch. Until 1978, six ski lifts were opened on Rettenbach Glacier. The skiing season was kicked-off in early autumn, much earlier than in other winter sport regions. The area of Rettenbach Glacier was accessible only via the Glacier Road, therefore the glacier ski lifts were closed in winter.

1977

Giggijoch Mono-Rope Mountain Gondola with 4-person cabins

For a quite long time the Hochsölden single chairlift was the only feeder lift for Hochsölden's ski area (capacity: 440 persons/hour). Of course, lift lines were just normal during peak times. Therefore a new mono-rope mountain gondola was opened in 1977 (1070 persons/hour), to take skiers quickly and effortlessly to the Hochsölden ski slopes. The 2.7 km long gondola, leading from Sölden directly to Giggijoch at about 200 meters above Hochsölden, was the first mountain lift with a fully automated terminal.

1981

Development & Opening of Tiefenbach Glacier – Road Tunnel

As the glacier ski lifts have been attracting more and more snow sport fans, the glacier slopes were extended by opening up also Tiefenbach Glacier thanks to a 1.7 km long road tunnel. Therefore the second glacier ski area on Tiefenbach was easily accessible either by car or by mountain lifts / ski slopes on skis. 4 new ski lifts were built on Tiefenbach Glacier until 1982. At that time it was the one and only linked glacier ski area, a one-of-a-kind attraction.

1988

Gaislachkogl Double-Rope Mountain Gondola

The historical cable car dating back to 1966 had an hourly capacity of only 450 persons and did not meet the requirements anymore. Therefore a new feeder mountain lift was an absolute must: the new double-rope mountain gondola with 38 cabins featured a total hourly capacity of 2600 persons on section I (1000 persons/hour on section II leading up to the peak). Gaislachkogl Mountain Gondola was the world's biggest and most modern of its kind at that time.

1993

1st World Cup Race in Sölden

A new era started thanks to the very first Alpine Ski World Cup Race held in Sölden in October 1993. Initially, the race took place every three years (second competition in 1996). Soon the World Cup returned to Sölden every two years, and from 2000 onwards, the Women's and Men's Giant Slalom Races were held every year on occasion of the FIS ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP OPENING in late October – it has become a true highlight in the yearly race calendar. Sölden ranks among the most popular venues of the World Cup Circus.

1998

Connecting Ski Lifts: Golden Gate to the Glacier - 8EUB Giggijoch

In 1998 the connecting ski lifts towards the glacier ski mountains were opened – called "Golden Gate to the Glacier". From that moment onwards, Rettenbach Glacier was easily accessible on skis via the winter ski area. Therefore the glacier slopes were open also in the winter, bringing great economic success to Bergbahnen Sölden. In addition to the three new connecting ski lifts, the former 4EUB Giggijoch gondola was replaced by a state-of-the-art Mountain Gondola with 8-person cabins and a much higher capacity.

2000

8EUB Tiefenbach + 6SK Langegg

In 2000, the very first mono-rope mountain gondola with 8-person cabins was inaugurated in the glacier ski area at Tiefenbach. Also summer guests, pedestrians and hikers appreciated the new attraction.
In the Sölden ski area the two chairlifts Langegg 1 + 2 were replaced by a detachable 6-seater chairlift in the same year. For skiers and winter sport fans it was the easiest link between the ski mountains of Gaislachkogl and Giggijoch.

2003

8EUB Schwarze Schneide

Schwarze Schneide I + II Mountain Gondolas with 8-person cabins were opened on Rettenbach Glacier, signing another attraction also for summer guests and mountain hikers as the gondola is in operation also during the warm season.

2003

BIG 3

Sölden is Austria's one and only ski resort that boasts three peaks higher than 3000 meters – called the BIG 3 – accessible with top modern mountain gondolas:

- Gaislachkogl (3058 m)
- Tiefenbachkogl (3250 m)
- Schwarze Schneid (3340 m)

3 Ski mountains which feature 3 breathtaking viewing platforms and 3 unique Alpine panoramas in XXL format.

2007

Rotkogl Water Reservoir

In the course of major extension works, the Rotkogl snow-making system was improved by adding a new water reservoir at 2600 m above sea level. The 155,000 m³ reservoir supplies the whole new Giggijoch snow-making network, and is fed either by water piped down from Rettenbach Glacier or water coming from the valley bottom.

2008

8SK Giggijoch - Giggijoch Restaurants

In 2008 the whole Giggijoch area was "relaunched". Both free-flow restaurants were modernized and the "Wirtshaus" table-service restaurant was extended. Additionally, the former triple chairlift was replaced by a top modern 8-seater chairlift with a total hourly capacity of 3700 persons. Restaurant Giggijoch ranks among Austria's most frequented mountain restaurants.

2009

Restaurant Tiefenbach

The already existing restaurant on Tiefenbach Glacier was completely renovated and refurbished in top modern style. A new ski bridge was added, connecting the ski slope directly with the restaurant.

2010

8EUB Gaislachkogl I + 3S Gaislachkogl II + Zentrum Shuttle

In 2010, Bergbahnen Sölden achieved another milestone by building the new Gaislachkogl Mountain Gondolas I + II. Section I features 8-person cabins and an hourly capacity of 3600 persons – the world's most powerful feeder mountain gondola.
Section II features a triple-rope gondola, the world's highest of its kind at that time.
In the same year, the new Zentrum Shuttle was opened taking guests effortlessly up to the Innerwald beginners' ski area and back to the village center.

2011

Panorama Water Reservoir

The new panorama water reservoir with a total capacity of 412,000 m³ was filled for the first time in the 2011 summer, after only 2 years of construction.
A whole network of snow-making pipes installed at the new water reservoir, provides almost the entire ski area with enough water.

2013

Ice Q Restaurant

Another architectural highlight right on the peak of Gaislachkogl at 3048 m altitude: the ice Q design restaurant, the highest of its kind in the Sölden ski area, offers culinary treats at their best. On two floors with 130 seats inside and another 80 seats on the terrace, you can indulge in tasty "Alpine Cuisine" accompanied by fine wines at the highest level.
The ice Q gourmet restaurant also was the main reason why the production team has chosen Sölden as a shooting location of the James Bond movie "Spectre".

2015

James Bond "Spectre"

Film director and Oscar winner Sam Mendes has found some of the Alp's most fascination shooting locations for his latest production, "Spectre". Right from start he fell in love with Ötztal's winter sport hot spot. Sölden is the shooting location of one of the movie's centerpieces, comprising the ice Q restaurant, the Glacier Road and section II of the Gaislachkogl mountain gondola which played an important role in the latest blockbuster.

2016

10EUB Giggijochbahn

The new, top modern feeder mountain gondola to Giggijoch was opened just in time for the 2016/2017 winter season start. This mono-rope gondola with detachable 10-person cabins has a record capacity of 4500 person/hour, opening up new dimensions when it comes to design and modern comfort.
Therefore the Sölden ski area features the two strongest feeder gondolas world-wide: 10EUB Giggijoch (4500 persons/hour) and 8EUB Gaislachkogl (3600 persons/hour).

2017

Rettenbach Glacier Restaurant

Bergbahnen Sölden inaugurated a new gastronomical highlight in the foothills of Rettenbach Glacier (2675 m) just in time for the 2017/18 winter sport season.
In addition to a top modern self-service restaurant, guests can enjoy a superb new restaurant with table service either indoors or on the terrace, plus a Day Bar with Lounge and an Ice Bar with movable roof. Also the Europa Test Center that comprises all leading winter sport brands was completely refurbished.

2018

James Bond 007 Elements

In 2018 a new Cinematic Installation, build inside Gaislachkogl peak at 3040 meters above sea level, opens its doors. The exhibition on 1300 m² covering two floors gives visitors a deep insight into the shooting of an Agent 007 movie.
007 ELEMENTS promises a truly awe-inspiring James Bond adventure amid the high Alpine landscape. The cinematic installation right at the heart of nature, coupled with dramatic sound elements, adds to a very special experience.