Soll - village
Söll, set away from the main road, is in a fabulously scenic location – to one side rises the Hohe Salve, the centre of its local skiing, and to the other side is the majestic Wilder Kaiser range of mountains, wild, craggy and remote.
But Söll doesn’t have that claustrophobic feeling that some resorts do – the mountains stretch away to infinity rather than close in on you and the village can be sunny all day even in the depth of winter.
The village is an appealing mix of traditional charm and party atmosphere, full of bars and restaurants. In years gone by it used to have a reputation for extreme partying – but has nicely evolved into a still lively but slightly more restrained resort.
Drinking out on the terraces of bars now has to stop in late evening and customers retreat into the bar to avoid complaints from neighbours about noise.
The centre is compact, with a real village feel, and you soon feel as if you’re part of the community. Most of the accommodation is close to the centre, although some hotels are a little more far-flung and linked to the village and gondolabahn by ski-bus.
But Söll is still a working village, and the village is surrounded by farms – the ski slopes are grazing pastures for cattle once the snow has gone.
Accommodation
There is a very wide choice of two, three and four-star hotels, as well as plenty of bed and breakfast gasthauses. The historic and very comfortable Postwirt (00 43 53 33 50 81), the oldest building in town, is perfectly located in the centre of the village and is full of character. It has a heated outdoor pool.
The Hotel Tyrol (00 43 5333 5273) is quietly located just 200-metres from the village centre and we’ve been well looked after there by the Schernthaner family.
The four-star Alpen Panorama (00 43 5333 5309) is slightly above the village and quite a way from the lifts – but the views are great and a ski-bus stops outside. For skiing convenience the Hexenalm (00 43 5333 5544) will suit many – it's right by the lifts. It has daily apres-ski with a DJ and live music.
The lovely and luxurious Alpen Schlössl (00 43 5333 6400) is fabulously set, although way out of town.
Centrally-located Hotel Greil is small and family-run, with an impressive indoor swimming-pool on the first floor featuring massage beds in the water, rapids - and a cosy log fire next to it. It is also known for great food and extensive wine list.
Hotel Feldwebel is a converted 16th century building in the village centre, highly rated for the character of its rooms and very good food.
Of the three-stars, we particularly like the friendly, relaxed and comfortable Eggerwirt (00 43 5333 5236), with great value and a warm welcome from Claudia, the owner.
The three-star Hotel Gansleit is a five-minute walk from the village centre with a ski-bus stop outside the door. It is family-owned, with the mother and daughter team running the restaurant.
Aparthotel Bergland is typically Tirolean in style and is very conveniently located across the road from the ski-lifts.
Ski/snowboard equipment hire
Söll has many ski and board rental shops, including Sport Edinger (0043 5333 20040), Sport Shop Mayr (0043 5333 5483), Sport Steinbacher Snow&Fun (0043 5333 5882), Skiservice Hochsoll (0043 5333 5771), Ski Center Stoll (0043 5333 5440) and Gatt Sport am Berg (0043 664 5353403). At Ski School Knolln there is Dave’s Sports Shop (00 43 664 5944051) – ski school and equipment rental under one roof. Freaks On Snow (00 43 664 3418409) is for specialist snowboard hire. To rent gear right on the mountain, at the top of the gondola from Söll to Hochsoll is Ski Service Seisl (00 43 5333 5771).
including Sport Edinger (00 43 5333 20040 / 00 43 5333 5159), Sport Shop Mayr (00 43 5333 5483), Sport Steinbacher Snow&Fun (00 43 5333 5882) and Ski Center Stoll (00 43 5333 5440). At Ski School Knolln there is Dave’s Sports Shop (00 43 664 5353403) – ski school and equipment rental under one roof. Freaks On Snow (00 43 664 3418409) is for specialist snowboard hire. To rent gear right on the mountain, at the top of the gondola from Söll to Hochsoll is Ski Service Seisl (00 43 5333 5771).
Non-ski activities
The Panoramabad (00 43 5333 5442) is very popular, and makes a great option for a day off skiing or boarding. It has swimming, with slides and chutes, and spa facilities including saunas. And plenty of room to just chill out. The 3.8 kilometre toboggan run, floodlit, is one of Tirol’s best. It's open every day from 8am to 5pm, with night tobogganing from Wednesday to Saturday. Toboggans can be hired next to the gondola valley station and the gondola is open from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The course is floodlit until 1am!
There’s winter walking on cleared paths, sleigh rides of course – and both Innsbruck and Salzburg are easily reached by train for a day out.
Childcare
Both the ski schools are extremely child friendly. The Söll-Hochsoll school has a special children’s centre at the gondola mid-station, with programmes for children between three and 14. The tourist office can often help out with recommended babysitters.
