The opening on the Rettenbach Glacier
Skiworldcup Opening in Sölden: 28. - 29.10.2023
Every year in October keen ski fans’ hearts will be bursting with anticipation. The biggest stars of the ski scene will stand at the start line on the Rettenbach glacier, high above Sölden – and for the first time in the new season will take themselves to their limits. ‘Ladies first’ is the order of the day at the ski opening in Sölden too. The ladies start off with the first giant slalom in the Alpine Ski World Cup. On Sunday the men show their mettle.
The programme
2 pm: FIS Forum Alpine at the Freizeit Arena Sölden
from 5.30 pm: World Cup Party at the Postplatz square
7 pm: Ladies bib drawing at the Postplatz square
10 am: 1st run Womens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards World Cup Party
1 pm: 2nd run Womens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards winners presentation at the Rettenbach Glacier
from 5.30 pm: World Cup Party at the Postplatz square
7 pm: Prize giving ceremony women at the Postplatz square
7.15 pm: Men bib drawing at the Postplatz square
10 am: 1st run Mens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards World Cup Party
1 pm: 2nd run Mens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards Prize giving ceremony men at the Rettenbach Glacier
Ski World Cup tickets & shuttle bus
Tickets for the World Cup weekend
Standing places, grandstand seating and VIP & Special Guest tickets are available for the 2023 World Cup Opening in Sölden. Tickets can be booked from 1st September 2023 at: Buy Ski World Cup Tickets
Shuttle bus to the World Cup race at the Rettenbach Glacier
On the race weekend there will be shuttle buses to take you from Sölden to the World Cup site on the Rettenbach Glacier and back. The use of this service is included in the entrance fee and is also free of charge for those holding a valid ski pass.
Your 5-star hotel at the Ski World Cup Opening in Sölden
Top off the start of the ski season with a stay at the newly renovated 5* Hotel Das Central in the centre of Sölden. Save the limited World Cup Special from 3 nights incl. gourmet half-board from the 3-touqed restaurant and much more.
The World Cup slope in Sölden
With a vertical drop of 370 meters and a gradient of up to 65%, the Ski World Cup slope at the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden offers a challenging terrain for the world’s best ski racers:
- Starting altitude: 3040 m
- Finish altitude: 2670 m
- Average gradient: 33.1 %
- Gates: between 41 and 56 gates, depending on the course
- Speed of the ski racers: about 65 – 80 km/hour
30 Years of Ski World Cup in Sölden
In 1993 the Alpine Ski World Cup made a guest appearance for the first time here in Sölden. Since the millennium the giant slalom for men and ladies at the end of October has marked the official start of the international World Cup winter. Two years later, in 2002, history was written – Slovenian Tina Maze, Norwegian Andrine Flemmen and Austrian Nicole Hosp emerged as World Cup Race victors, with the same times. The victory record is held by Tina Maze, Ted Ligety and Hermann Maier, all three-time gold winners on the Rettenbach Glacier. Ted Ligety won in 2012 with the biggest margin – a whole 2.75 seconds separated him and second-placed Marcel Hirscher.
About the Ski World Cup Opening in Sölden
The winners of the past World Cup races
Results Ski World Cup 2022 in Sölden
- 1. Marco Odermatt / SUI
- 2. Zan Kranjec / SLO
- 3. Henrik Kristoffersen / NOR
The women’s giant slalom has been canceled due to rain and wind.
Results Ski World Cup 2021 in Sölden
- 1. Mikaela Shiffrin / USA
- 2. Lara Gut-Behrami / SUI
- 3. Petra Vlhova / SVK
- 1. Marco Odermatt / SUI
- 2. Roland Leitinger / AUT
- 3. Zan Kranjec / SLO
