Even expert skiers and snowboarders would need many months to ski all the slopes in the Ötztal Valley, so it's a good job that in good years the season starts in September and continues all the way through until May! All in all there are five resorts, including one glacier ski area.
The largest ski resort in the Ötztal Valley is Sölden, which includes several pistes on the Rettenbachferner glacier above the village. Families will find easy slopes further down the mountain, while advanced and expert skiers can take on the thigh-burning descent from the top of the resort at 3,340 metres. There are plenty of huts and restaurants next to the slopes serving hearty local food. Right at the end of the valley is the resort of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, generally one of the first to open in late autumn thanks to its exceptionally high location at almost 2,000 metres above sea level. Somewhat easier to access from the Inn Valley is Hochoetz, which is serviced by lifts from the village of Oetz and from Ochsengarten im Nedertal. Last but not least, families in particular will enjoy the small, quiet areas in Vent and Umhausen-Niederthai.
