Rettenbach (ski slope)

Since 2000, it is the traditional opener for the World Cup season, with a giant slalom for both genders in late October; previously, it had alternated with Tignes, France, from 1993 on.{{cite web|title=Alpiner Weltcup Start in Sölden Heiß auf 35 Grad Gefälle|url=http://www.schneestation.com/phpwcms/index.php?alpiner-weltcup-start-in-soelden|publisher=schneestation.com|accessdate=17 November 2015|language=de}}

The women's race in October 2002 was one of only two triple wins in World Cup history, as Andrine Flemmen (NOR), Nicole Hosp (AUT), and Tina Maze (SLO) shared first place.

The races start at an elevation of {{convert|3040|m|0}} above the Adriatic (sea level) and finish at {{convert|2670|m|0|abbr=on}}, yielding a vertical drop of {{convert|370|m|0|abbr=on}}.

This slope is widely regarded as the most difficult giant slalom on the women's circuit, with a maximum gradient of 68.2 percent (34.3 degrees) at "Eisfall".

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• "Rettenbachjoch"
• "Gletschertisch" (Glacier table)
• "Gletscherkante" (Glacier abreuvoir)
• "Eisfall" (Icefall) – the steepest part (68.2%)
• "Gletscherzunge" (Glacier tongue)
• "Elefantentränke" (Elephant potions)

On January 5, 2015, two prospects of the United States Ski Team, Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, were killed by an avalanche they triggered near Rettenbach glacier.{{cite web | url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7e3edbfd0bc84166963081c8c92247bc/2-us-ski-team-prospects-die-avalanche-austria | title=2 US ski team prospects die in avalanche in Austria | date=5 January 2015 | accessdate=10 January 2015}}

On 17 November 2015, Slovenian ex skier Drago Grubelnik died in a car accident on the seventh curve (elevation {{convert|2455|m|abbr=on}}) on the road descending to Sölden, not far below the World Cup finish area.{{cite web|title=Izpoved Bolgara, ki je z Dragom Grubelnikom zgrmel v brezno|url=https://siol.net/sportal/zimski-sporti/izpoved-bolgara-ki-je-z-dragom-grubelnikom-zgrmel-v-brezno-429860|publisher=Siol|accessdate=17 November 2015|language=sl}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://data.fis-ski.com/global-links/statistics/overview-top-ranked-in-all-competitions.html?&category=WC§or=AL&place=Soelden&gender=ALL FIS Alpine Ski World Cup] – Soelden, Austria
• [http://www.ski-db.com/db/loc/m_soelden.php Ski-db.com] - Soelden men's races

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{{Ski World Cup pistes}}

Category:Glaciers of Austria

Category:Glaciers of the Alps

Category:Ski areas in Austria