The opening on the Rettenbach Glacier

World Cup Opening in Sölden:
22 - 23 October 2022

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

FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2022

1.30 pm: FIS Forum Alpine at the Freizeit Arena Sölden
from 5 pm: World Cup Party at the Postplatz square
7 pm: Ladies bib drawing at the Postplatz square

SATURDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2022

10 am: 1st run Womens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards World Cup Party
1.05 pm: 2nd run Womens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards winners presentation at the Rettenbach Glacier
from 5 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

SUNDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2022

10 am: 1st run Mens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards World Cup Party
1.05 pm: 2nd run Mens GSL at the Rettenbach Glacier
afterwards Prize giving ceremony men at the Rettenbach Glacier

Sölden Skiweltcup am Rettenbachgletscher

“When the Ski World Cup keeps Sölden in suspense, the entire sporting realm turns the spotlight on the hotspot of the Alps. A quivering ambience. Superbly exciting moments. Expect plenty of sporting spirit.”

The World Cup slope

Start altitude: 3040 m
Finish altitude: 2670 m
Altitude difference: 370 m
Lowest gradient: 15.5 %
Steepest route section: 65 %
Average gradient: 33.1 %
Gates: between 41 and 56 gates, depending on the course
Speed of the race skiers: about 65 – 80 km/hour

Weltcuphang Rennstrecke Skiweltcup Sölden

History & records

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.