The season opener on the Rettenbach Glacier
Alpine Ski World Cup Opening
in Sölden 24–25 October 2026
Every October, ski fans once again look forward to one of the highlights of the season. The biggest stars in international ski racing line up on the Rettenbach Glacier high above Sölden and push themselves to the limit for the first time in the new season. For those wanting to experience the World Cup Opening in Sölden live, Das Central is the perfect base for a weekend combining world class racing, culinary delights and relaxation.
Your World Cup weekend at Das Central
Located right in the heart of Sölden, Das Central is the ideal base for a special World Cup weekend. From here, you head up to the Rettenbach Glacier, where the international ski elite compete for the first World Cup points of the season.
After a day filled with racing action and an exciting atmosphere on the glacier, 5 star comfort, outstanding cuisine and relaxing moments await you back at the hotel in the Summit Spa.
Everything you need to know about the Ski World Cup Opening in Sölden
Tickets, programme, history and much more ...
Your ticket to the Ski World Cup spectacle
Be there live when the world’s top ski racers meet in Sölden! Find out more about the different ticket categories and prices for the AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Opening Sölden and conveniently secure your preferred ticket online.
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.
More than 30 years of Ski World Cup racing in Sölden
What has long been an integral part of the start of winter in Sölden began with a bold vision: in 1993, the Alpine Ski World Cup came to the Rettenbach Glacier for the first time. Since 2000, Sölden has traditionally opened the World Cup season with the women’s and men’s giant slalom races, placing the resort at the centre of the international skiing world every autumn.
At more than 3,000 metres above sea level, the Rettenbach Glacier has provided the stage for unforgettable sporting moments for decades. More than 30 years after its premiere, the Ski World Cup Opening has become much more than a race. It is* part of Sölden’s history, a meeting place for the international ski elite* and, year after year, the starting signal for a new World Cup winter.
The World Cup course in Sölden
With a vertical drop of 370 metres and gradients of up to 65%, the World Cup course on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden provides a challenging setting for the world’s best alpine ski racers:
- Start altitude: 3,040 m
- Finish altitude: 2,670 m
- Average gradient: 33.1 %
- Gates: between 41 and 56, depending on the course
- Racing speed: between 65 and 80 km/h
Results from the 2025 Ski World Cup in Sölden
- 1. JULIA SCHEIB / AUT
- 2. PAULA MOLTZAN / USA
- 3. LARA GUT-BEHRAMI / SUI
- 1. MARCO ODERMATT / SUI
- 2. MARCO SCHWARZ / AUT
- 3. ATLE LIE MCGRATH / NOR
Results from the 2024 Ski World Cup in Sölden
- 1. Federica Brignone / ITA
- 2. Alice Robinson / NZL
- 3. Julia Scheib / AUT
- 1. Alexander Steen Olsen / NOR
- 2. Henrik Kristoffersen / NOR
- 3. Atle Lie McGrath / NOR
