The FIS World Cup came to town last week and Sölden hosted the first Giant Slalom race of the year high up on the Rettenbach glacier (27 October).

With so much fresh snow on the course at 3,000m, the PistenBullys had literally scrape away the new snow layers to expose the ice base below which the racers are used to.

Ted Ligety took the ‘home win’ for the US at their Official European Training Home Base.

Marcel Hirscher of Austria was 3rd.

As well as an opportunity to see how the skiers had developed in their summer training camps, the crowds also had a great party.

If you want to know how it feels to be first down the Rettenbach after new snow, watch this video.

A very “colourful” event took place on Sunday the 8th of September in Zwieselstein, Sölden: the annual cattle drive which is a living tradition and a special celebration for both locals and tourists.

It’s back down the valley it is for the cattle who have enjoyed the Summer grass high up in the pastures on the mountainside. For the occasion, the cows are festively decorated with all sorts of colorful flowers and bells accompanied by the shepherds.

This rural tradition culminates in a ceremony on the forecourt of the Hotel Neue Post in Zwieselstein where the safe return of the animals is celebrated with culinary specialties, live music and folk dance groups.