Industry News
A collision on Austria’s famed Sölden Ski Resort has left a German skier hospitalized with facial injuries. The accident occurred on December 17, at approximately 12:50 p.m., when a 33-year-old skier collided with an uphill skidoo on the Gaislachkogel slope 8. Emergency responders transported the injured skier to a hospital in Innsbruck. The extent of his facial injuries remains unclear.
Sölden is one of Austria’s best known ski resorts, offering world-class skiing on high-altitude terrain. Nestled in the Ötztal Valley, the resort boasts over 90 miles (143 kilometers) of meticulously groomed slopes, with elevations reaching as high as 10,000 feet at the Schwarze Schneide and is served by 31 state-of-the-art lifts. The resort has two glacier ski areas, the Rettenbach glacier and the Tiefenbach glacier, enabling the resort to be open for skiing year-round. The closest airport, Innsbruck Airport, is located about 50 miles away, making Sölden easily accessible to international travelers.
Gaislachkogel, one of the resort’s premier peaks, is a magnet for advanced skiers drawn to its steep gradients and challenging runs. However, the recent incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with the sport, even in a controlled environment. The police report does not provide further detail on the circumstances of the accident, but it appears the skidoo and the skier were both traveling in opposite directions on a marked run.
In recent years, Sölden has invested heavily in slope safety and infrastructure. The resort employs state-of-the-art grooming equipment and operates a dedicated rescue team to ensure rapid response to accidents. Despite these measures, skiers are encouraged to exercise caution, particularly on popular and busy runs like those on Gaislachkogel.
