Sölden has invested massively in new lifts to link its home slopes. This suits adventurous intermediates, with snow sure runs on the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers. The Tiefenbach, in particular, is a serious 2km/1 mile long slope. It may be enough to establish this quite impressive resort on the international market at last.

Despite its traditional Tirolean-style buildings and tree-filled valley, Sölden is no beauty. It is a large, traffic-filled place that sprawls along both sides of a river and main road. It is particularly crowded at weekends. The resort attracts a young, lively crowd – mostly Dutch and German – bent on partying.

What’s Great

• Excellent snow reliability, with access to two glaciers
• Fairly extensive network of slopes suited to adventurous intermediates
• Continually improving lift system
• Very lively nightlife
• Short transfers and day trips to nearby Innsbruck