The 2026 Alpine Ski World Cup opens in Sölden on 24 and 25 October, with the women’s giant slalom on Saturday and the men’s on Sunday. Races are scheduled for 10 am and 1 pm, weather permitting. An adult standing ticket is listed at €30 online and includes the shuttle to the Rettenbach glacier. Check the official schedule and prices before travelling, and use the bus and event shuttle to reach the race venue.
At Sölden, the World Cup’s opening weekend also means planning a journey to almost 3,000 metres. Races take place on the Rettenbach glacier, above the village in the Ötztal. Tickets, weather and shuttle arrangements matter as much as the schedule if you want to catch both runs without a last-minute surprise.
Sölden World Cup dates and schedule
Two giant slaloms on the Rettenbach glacier
The local organiser has scheduled the women’s giant slalom for Saturday 24 October and the men’s for Sunday 25. Both races are set to take place on the Rettenbach course above Sölden, in Austria’s Tyrol. Sölden’s official calendar confirms the dates. The FIS page checked did not yet show the 2026 details, so the local schedule is the practical reference for this weekend.
Each giant slalom has two runs on the same course, with the result decided by the combined time. The published schedule currently lists starts at 10 am and 1 pm on both days. Times may change with the wind, visibility or course conditions. The women’s bib draw and other events are scheduled around the Giggijoch base station on Friday 23 October.
What to know before booking
- Saturday: women’s giant slalom, followed by event activities.
- Sunday: men’s giant slalom and the final day of the event.
- Check the official schedule on the day, as weather can affect the timings.
Why the Rettenbach course makes an impression
The organiser describes a 1,198-metre course, starting at 3,040 metres and finishing at 2,670 metres: a vertical drop of 370 metres. The average gradient is listed as 33%, with a steepest section of 68.2%. These figures give you a sense of the terrain, but they do not guarantee that every part of the course will be visible from your spot. Check the official Rettenbach course page for the latest course map and information.
Giant slalom is all about line choice and quick changes of direction, rather than a straight downhill run. Two runs let you watch the competitors tackle the same course again, with another key moment after the break. For newcomers to alpine skiing, the finish area and event activities can be easier to follow than the standings alone. Sölden lists just 1,500 seated places, so a standing ticket does not guarantee a seat or an unobstructed view.
The venue sits above the village in a cold, exposed setting. Wear several layers, a windproof jacket and gloves, and bring grippy footwear, sunglasses and sun protection. If altitude or moving across snow is a concern, check access conditions with the organiser before buying: the available information does not explain accessibility for every area in enough detail.
Tickets, prices and budget
As of 27 September 2026, the official ticket page lists an adult day ticket at €30 online and €35 at the ticket office. The youth price, for people born between 2011 and 2020, is listed at €15 online and €20 on site; admission is free for children born in 2021 or later. Prices can change, so check ticket categories, any extra fees and cancellation terms on Sölden’s tickets and prices page.
The race ticket includes the shuttle between Sölden and the glacier. It is not a ski pass if you plan to ski outside the event. To estimate your total spend, add transport to the Ötztal, accommodation, meals and cold-weather gear. Hotel and long-distance transport prices have not been checked for these dates, so compare options against your travel times rather than relying on a sample budget.
To plan what to pack, our packing checklist by destination and season is a useful starting point. For this trip, adapt it for a full day outdoors at high altitude, with warm layers and wind protection.
Weather, cancellations and conditions on the ground
October racing on a glacier is not immune to poor weather. The local schedule says timings can change with conditions, and the men’s giant slalom was cancelled in 2023 because of wind. That is historical context, not a forecast for 2026, but it is a reminder that a ticket cannot guarantee both runs will take place. Check official updates and refund or postponement terms before booking other parts of your trip.
You may be standing or sitting outdoors for several hours. Bring clothing for wind and snow, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and sun protection for the altitude. Check Sölden’s forecast and webcams before heading up, then follow staff instructions on site. Which ski areas and lifts are open in autumn can vary by day; the race ticket does not include them.
If you want to stay beyond the race weekend, our Alpine breaks combining mountain scenery and wellness guide may give you ideas for another stop; check what is actually open in October.
Sölden and the debate over October skiing
Opening the season on a glacier puts Sölden in wider conversations about skiing’s future and changing snow conditions. An Associated Press report on an earlier edition described the use of stored and machine-made snow, alongside criticism from environmental groups. Those details date from 2023 and do not describe 2026 operations. The sources checked provide no verified figures for water, energy or emissions for this edition.
To put the debate in context, separate the wider evidence on climate from the decision to race in October and the course-preparation methods used in a particular year. The AP report on the debate around Sölden covers the criticism and the organiser’s response; it is not a substitute for 2026 impact data, which are not yet available.
Plan your Ötztal stay
An eSIM may help if your mobile plan does not cover Austria or you are travelling from outside the EU. Check your provider’s terms before buying.
Prices depend on destination and data allowanceBefore taking out cover, check the policy terms for winter sports, altitude, mountain rescue and trip cancellation.
Cover and prices depend on the planSölden 2026: frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 World Cup opening take place in Sölden?
Races are scheduled for 24 and 25 October 2026: the women’s giant slalom on Saturday and the men’s on Sunday. Check the organiser’s calendar for updates.
What time do the races start?
The published schedule lists starts at 10 am and 1 pm on both days. Times may change with the weather; check the official schedule.
How much does a giant slalom ticket cost?
An adult standing ticket is listed at €30 online and €35 at the ticket office. Prices may change, and a race ticket is not a ski pass. Check the official prices before buying.
How do I get to the Rettenbach glacier?
The ticket includes the event shuttle between Sölden and the glacier. Regional bus 320 from Ötztal-Bahnhof is listed as free with a race ticket valid that day. Check the arrival information before setting off.
Will the races go ahead whatever the weather?
No. Wind or poor visibility can delay or cancel a run. The official schedule warns that weather changes are possible; check Sölden’s updates before and during your stay.
Where does the race take place?
On the giant slalom course on the Rettenbach glacier above Sölden. The start is at 3,040 m and the finish at 2,670 m, according to the official course page.
Sources
- Sölden: AUDI FIS Ski World Cup Opening: dates listed as 24 and 25 October 2026.
- Sölden: 2026 schedule: timings and weather caveat.
- Sölden: tickets and prices: prices listed on 27 September 2026.
- Sölden: arrival and parking: buses, shuttles and parking.
- Sölden: Rettenbach course: course dimensions and altitude.
- Associated Press: climate debate around Sölden’s season opening: historical context, report from 2023.
Information checked on 27 September 2026. The organiser may update timings, prices, access details and availability.
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