Tens of thousands of fans will celebrate the start of the Alpine ski circus season on 26 and 27 October in the Rettenbach Glacier Stadium.
Weeks before the actual race, the international teams are already training under optimal snow conditions in Sölden.
Ski slope manager Isi Grüner and his team have been focusing on the World Cup opening since mid-August. For three weeks they removed the protective fleece layer from the snow deposits accumulated in the spring. This layer protects the snow from melting during the hot summer months.
“We are right on schedule with our preparations”, Grüner concludes a few weeks before the first race.
© Ötztal Tourismus | Ernst Lorenzi
Intensive training weeks
In the course of their preparatory work, the piste preparation experts meet those who will soon be racing on the steep slope.
“The glacier ski area opened in mid-September. The athletes of the Austrian Ski Federation in particular have trained regularly and the DSV (German Ski Federation) has also been here. Over the next few days, the national mix here on the glacier will become even more varied,” explains piste manager Isi Grüner.
Sölden Ski World Cup Opening 2019
On 26 October, the Austrian National Holiday, the women’s giant slalom will kick off the event. One day later the men start the new season.
For all fans this means a ski festival of superlatives. The 70% steep slope guarantees thrilling action at an altitude of more than 2600 metres.
Free shuttle busses will transport spectators to the glacier and back again. And for piste manager Isi Grüner, the motto after work is done is: “After the race is before the race”.
More information and tickets: www.soelden.com/skiweltcup
Discover more about Sölden glaciers and ski resort on our resort guide pages…