Söll: skiing in SkiWelt at the foot of the Hohe Salve

Introduction

Söll lies at approximately 700 metres above sea level in Tyrol, between the Hohe Salve and the Wilder Kaiser massif. This welcoming Austrian village combines a traditional centre with direct access to SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental, one of Austria’s largest linked ski areas.

SkiWelt offers approximately 275 kilometres of pistes and 81 lifts. The ski area connects Söll with Ellmau, Scheffau, Going, Hopfgarten, Itter, Brixen im Thale and Westendorf. Skiers can also stop at around eighty mountain huts, many of which are family-run.

For a convenient start to your holiday, reserve your ski hire in Söll online in advance with SKiSET. Choose equipment suited to your experience and skiing style so that the shop can prepare your skis, boots, helmet or snowboard before your arrival.

A Tyrolean village between the Wilder Kaiser and Hohe Salve

Söll lies at the western entrance to the Wilder Kaiser region. Its compact centre includes traditional guesthouses, hotels, restaurants, cafés and buildings with typical Tyrolean balconies and façades.

The Baroque parish church forms one of the village’s principal landmarks. Accommodation for different budgets can be found around the centre, ranging from apartments and guesthouses to larger wellness hotels.

The principal gondola is located slightly outside the immediate centre in the Stampfanger area. Local ski buses connect accommodation with the valley station, often allowing visitors to leave their car parked during the ski day.

SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental

SkiWelt extends across several mountains and valleys in the Kitzbühel Alps. Its extensive network of lifts and pistes allows skiers to plan long day trips and visit several villages without continually repeating the same route.

The available terrain includes broad family pistes, long red descents, technical black runs and learning areas for beginners. Twenty valley runs make it possible to return from the surrounding mountain sectors to the different villages.

Distances within SkiWelt are considerable. Study the piste map in advance and consider the closing times of the connecting lifts when travelling towards Ellmau, Westendorf or Brixen im Thale.

The Hexenwasser gondola to Hochsöll

The black Hexenwasser gondola provides the principal access from Söll. It transports skiers, snowboarders and pedestrians to Hochsöll, where pistes, mountain huts and family activities come together.

From Hochsöll, visitors can continue towards the Keat, Siller-Keat, Rinner, Stöckl and Hexen6er lifts. This sector also forms the starting point for routes leading towards other parts of SkiWelt.

Learning lifts and the Hexenwiese are located close to the valley station. Beginners can therefore practise in the valley before taking the gondola into the main ski area.

The Hohe Salve and its panoramic summit

The Hohe Salve reaches approximately 1,829 metres and is the landmark mountain of Söll. A second gondola carries visitors from Hochsöll to the summit.

In clear weather, the free-standing mountain offers views across the Kitzbühel and Zillertal Alps, the Hohe Tauern and the Wilder Kaiser massif. Numerous peaks above 3,000 metres can be seen from the panoramic platform.

A mountain restaurant and a small pilgrimage church stand at the summit. Skiers can choose between red and black pistes, while pedestrians can also reach the viewpoint by gondola.

Söll for beginners

The Hexenwiese is located directly beside the valley station and has been specially designed for beginners and young children. The gently sloping area has two conveyor belts and easy zones for the first sliding and turning exercises.

Beginners learn to stop, turn, maintain their balance and use the equipment safely. Local ski schools offer group courses and private lessons for children and adults.

After the first lessons, new skiers can progress towards easy descents around Rinner and Stöckl. The blue family run through the forest also provides an accessible route towards the valley.

Red pistes for recreational and intermediate skiers

Söll is particularly attractive to skiers who feel comfortable on red pistes. Broad descents around Keat, Siller-Keat and Hexen6er are suitable for long, controlled turns.

Using the connecting lifts, intermediate skiers can plan longer excursions towards Scheffau, Ellmau, Hopfgarten and Brixen im Thale. A different sector can therefore be explored each day.

Conditions may change throughout the day. Sun, temperature, visitor numbers and altitude influence the snow quality, meaning that a piste may become more technical in the afternoon than it was in the morning.

Black pistes on the Hohe Salve

Experienced skiers will find demanding terrain around the summit of the Hohe Salve. Pistes such as Black Eagle and Black Pipe include steep sections and require controlled technique.

Well-sharpened edges are especially important on hard or icy snow. Adjust your speed, maintain sufficient distance and check in advance that the complete route towards your chosen valley is open.

Other sporting pistes are distributed throughout SkiWelt. The extensive network allows experienced skiers to combine challenging descents with long red connecting runs.

Family activities and the witches’ world

The witches’ theme plays an important role in Söll’s winter programme. Interactive activities, playful pistes and meeting points designed for families are located around Hochsöll.

In addition to skiing, children can use a tubing run on the Hexenwiese. Depending on conditions, the winter witches’ world may also include a natural ice rink, play areas and simple snow activities.

The Raven Rally is a treasure hunt passing several stations in the ski area. The Hexenwelle also features waves and playful elements where children and adults can practise their coordination.

Hans im Glück and other fun facilities

The Hans im Glück area near Hochsöll combines a short gondola with a playful course. Depending on snow conditions, skiers and snowboarders can try turns, waves and other easy obstacles.

Several funparks, speed checks, race courses and adventure pistes are also distributed throughout SkiWelt. The available facilities vary between sectors and may change during the season.

Inspect every obstacle before using it, wait until the course is clear and wear a helmet. Choose only features suited to your experience.

Night skiing in Söll

Söll offers approximately ten kilometres of illuminated pistes, making it Austria’s largest night-skiing area. The pistes are prepared again before the evening opening.

The floodlit descents begin in the Hexen6er sector, pass through Hochsöll and continue towards the valley. The Hans im Glück course may also be accessible during selected evening openings.

A separate ticket is generally required for night skiing. Check the current opening days, times and weather conditions in advance, as the evening programme does not take place every day.

Tobogganing during the day and evening

Two toboggan runs start from Hochsöll. The Hexenritt is approximately 3.2 kilometres long and can be used during the day as well as on selected evenings.

The illuminated Mondrodelbahn is approximately four kilometres long and is mainly intended for evening tobogganing. Both routes are regularly prepared and supported by technical snowmaking.

Toboggans can be hired locally, including from the SKiSET shop. Wear sturdy footwear, maintain sufficient distance and adjust your speed to the number of visitors, the bends and the snow conditions.

Winter walking and other activities

Non-skiers can use winter walking routes and pedestrian tickets for several gondolas. The Hexenwasser winter adventure trail is approximately 2.2 kilometres long and crosses the snowy landscape around Hochsöll.

Marked routes for winter walking and snowshoeing can also be found in the surrounding area. Use only open paths and check the snow, visibility and possible icy conditions before departure.

Other regional activities include cross-country skiing, ice skating, paragliding and guided winter excursions. The available programme may vary according to the week and weather conditions.

Mountain huts, gastronomy and après-ski

SkiWelt is known for its large number of family-run mountain huts. Restaurants and sunny terraces around Hochsöll and the Hohe Salve provide options for a short break or a longer lunch.

Menus feature Tyrolean dishes such as Käsespätzle, Tiroler Gröstl, dumplings, schnitzel and Kaiserschmarrn. The village also has international restaurants, pizzerias and cafés.

Söll has a lively après-ski scene. Visitors can choose between bars near the valley station, festive venues with music or a quieter dinner in the village centre.

The SKiSET shop in Söll

In Söll, you can collect your equipment from Skicenter Stoll. The shop is located at Stampfanger 7, directly beside the entrance to SkiWelt.

The range includes skis, snowboards, boots and children’s equipment for different ability levels. The shop also hires cross-country skis, toboggans, snowshoes and snowblades.

Skicenter Stoll has a workshop for maintenance and repairs. Lockers, drying services, technical clothing and personalised equipment advice are also available.

Why book online with SKiSET?

By booking online, you can provide your equipment category, ability level and required sizes before departure. The shop can then prepare the selected equipment before your arrival.

When you collect the equipment, the team checks the fit of the boots. The bindings are adjusted according to your height, weight, age and experience.

If the equipment does not feel comfortable during the hire period, you can return to the shop for assistance, a technical adjustment or a possible replacement.

Other SKiSET destinations nearby

Ellmau lies on the opposite side of SkiWelt and offers broad pistes, the Ellmi’s Winterwelt family area and views of the Wilder Kaiser.

Brixen im Thale provides central access to the ski area and connections towards Westendorf and the Hohe Salve.

Westendorf combines SkiWelt with access towards the Kitzbühel Alps and offers varied pistes around the Choralpe.

Conclusion

Söll combines a welcoming Tyrolean village with access to 275 kilometres of pistes in SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental. Beginners and families benefit from the Hexenwiese and playful winter activities, while intermediate and experienced skiers can explore long routes and sporting pistes on the Hohe Salve.

Reserve your ski hire in Söll online with SKiSET, collect your equipment from Skicenter Stoll and combine daytime skiing with tobogganing, winter walking or an evening on the illuminated pistes.