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BIG3 - viewing platforms & rally

BIG3 - 3 SKI MOUNTAINS, 3 PLATFORMS, 1 RALLY

THREE PEAKS HIGHER THAN 3000 METERS

Our BIG3 ski mountains rise over 3,000 m into the sky and are accessible with state-of-the-art mountan gondolas. At Gaislachkogl (3,058 m), Tiefenbachkogl (3,250 m) and Schwarze Schneid (3,340 m) you will find spectacular viewing platforms that offer deep insights and distant vistas. If you are looking for a sporty challenge: on the BIG3 Rally you can conquer all three peaks and 5,200 altitude meters while exploring the entire ski area.

BIG3 viewing platforms

Gaislachkogl viewing platform

3.048 m - Next to the top station of Gaislachkogl Gondola you quickly climb to a three thousand meter peak. A suspension bridge takes you to the roof terrace of the Bond filming location at ice Q, offering a breathtaking 360° panorama.

Note
The viewing platform of the Gaislachkogl is also accessible for pedestrians in winter.

Tiefenbach glacier rocky footbridge

3.250 m - A 15 m high pyramid is waiting for you at the top station of Tiefenbach Gondola. A footbridge suspended on steel cables, extends 20 m above the glacier abyss and ends in airy nothingness.

Note
The viewing platform of the Teifenbachkogl can only be reached on skis or snowboard in winter.

Schwarze Schneide Natural platform

3.340 m - It is about 90 meters in altitude (15 walking minutes) from the top station of Schwarze Schneid Gondola to the energetic pyramid in the middle of a circular slab made of larch wood: the view extends as far as the Dolomites.

Note
In winter, the viewing platform of the Schwarze Schneid can only be reached on skis or snowboard.

BIG3-RALLY

Ambitious but possible: the BIG3 Rally is the ultimate challenge for all endurance athletes.

Up and down the three ski mountains higher than three thousand meters in one day, almost 50 kilometers across the entire ski area - the BIG3 Rally is a spectacular ski challenge covering a total difference in altitude of more than 5,200 meters (uphill and downhill), enjoying marvelous views while exploring the ski area in all its facets - and you definitely deserve a refreshment stop off afterwards.

Route layout

From the base station of Giggijoch Gondola the route leads via Giggijoch and the “Golden Gate to the Glacier” connecting lifts to Rettenbach Glacier and the first BIG3 experience on Schwarze Schneide (3,340 m). Crossing the ski tunnel, you reach Tiefenbach Glacier and the second panoramic platform on Tiefenbachkogl (3,250 m). Followed by 2,000 meters downhill: via Rettenbach Glacier and the ski route you conquer the third BIG3, Gaislachkogl (3,058 m).

Detailed route description

	Ort
A	START Base Terminal GIGGIJOCH	Starting point is the base terminal of the Giggijoch gondola. Ascent with the Giggijoch gondola to the Giggijoch.
B	10UB Giggijoch Gondola	Riding up to Giggijoch ski area you will enjoy the first views of Sölden's unique panorama. Past the hamlet of Hochsölden (2,090 m) you reach Giggijoch top terminal within a 10-minute gondola ride.
	4SK Silberbrünnl	At Giggijoch you take Silberbrünnl quad chair lift which takes you effortlessly up to Rotkogljoch mountain hut (2,662 m).
C	ROTKOGLHÜTTE	Enjoy the stunning view from Rotkogljoch saddle and take a look at the day's route including Gaislachkogl peak and Rettenbach Glacier. Then you continue heading towards the glacier ski lifts.
	Piste 23	The blue ski trail no. 23 leads down to the base terminal of Einzeiger quad chair lift, one of the connecting lifts on the way to the glacier.
	4SK Einzeiger	Right beside the Restaurant Schwarzkogl you head towards Gletscherexpress 8-person gondola.
	Transfer to 8UB Gletscherexpress Gondola	After a short downhill ride you reach Gletscherexpress gondola taking you up to the glacier ski area.
D	8UB Gletscherexpress Gondola	Indulge in scenic views of the surrounding peaks while riding to Rettenbach Glacier and to the first stopover at Schwarze Schneide vantage point.
	Transfer to Schwarze Schneid Gondola	A short walk awaits you across Rettenbach Glacier's car park to Schwarze Schneid base terminal.
E	8UB Schwarze Schneid Gondola I + II	Schwarze Schneid gondola takes you up to the middle station and further on to the top terminal at 3,250 m. Store your skis and walk on foot towards the BIG 3 nature platform of Schwarze Schneide peak.
	Ascent to BIG3 platform	The ascent to the BIG 3 Nature Platform along a broad path takes about 20 minutes and is worth the effort.
F	BIG3 - SCHWARZE SCHNEID	A wooden platform with a giant obelisk in its center is the highlight of the 360-degree panorama. On clear days you can enjoy the view of mountain summits that are more than 100 kilometers away!
	Descent from BIG3 platform
G	Piste 32	After returning to Schwarze Schneid top terminal you grab your skis and boards again and head for the outstanding ski tunnel via the blue ski trail no 32.
	Skitunnel Piste 38	Passing the ski tunnel and following the blue ski trail no 38 you reach Tiefenbach Glacier and the base terminal of Tiefenbach 8-person gondola.
	8UB Tiefenbach Gondola	Here you take off your skis and ride uphill towards the top terminal of Tiefenbach 8-person gondola.
H	BIG3 - TIEFENBACH	The top terminal features a 15 meter high pyramid coupled with a 20 meter long footbridge. The panoramic views are incomparable, especially the Wildspitze peak (3,776 m), Tirol's highest mountain.
	Piste 38 + 36	Afterwards you ski down the slope until you get to the red ski trail no 36 leading to Seiterkar 6-person chair lift. Turn left and take the chair lift back to Rettenbach Glacier.
I	6SK Seiterkar	You reach Seiterjöchl saddle (3,051 m) within a 4-minute lift ride. Turn left and head towards Rettenbach Glacier. At this point a 12 km long downhill ski trails awaits you! Elevation change: about 1,650 meters.
	Piste 34 + 33	Continue skiing down the blue red ski trail no 34, then follow the blue trail no 33 to Rettenbach Glacier.
K	Piste 30 - Rettenbach valley	Before you reach the Glacier Stadium you turn right into piste no. 30 through Rettenbach valley - the trail starts steeply and continues with almost no change in altitude - and down to Stabele chair lift.
	Piste 6	Crossing the blue ski trail no 6 you follow the route in direction Gaislachkogl base terminal. After about 500 meters you turn left into the black ski trail no. 7.
	Piste 7	Ski trail no. 7 is quite steep until you reach Innerwald beginner's ski area located right above Sölden. There you take the red ski trail no. 10 leading down to Gaislachkogl gondola.
(M)	Gaislachkogl Gondola I + II	Again you take off the skis and boards, and you cross the main road through a pedestrian's tunnel. In 2 sections you take an uphill ride to the top of Gaislachkogl peak.
L	BIG3 - GAISLACHKOGL	On Gaislachkogl we climb on foot the third and last BIG 3 viewing platform. A marvelous suspension bridge connects the vantage point with the rooftop terrace of the new gourmet restaurant.
	Piste 1 + 4 + 3a	A truly unforgettable downhill awaits you on the ski trails no. 1 to no. 4 and no. 3a, leading directly down to Wasserkar triple chair lift.
	6SK Wasserkar	After leaving the lift you take the red ski trail no. 2.
	Piste 2	Follow ski trail no. 2 down to Heidebahn quad chair lift and continue in direction Gaislachkogl base terminal on the blue ski trail no. 8.
	Piste 8	Follow ski trail no. 8 and 9 until you reach the last track of the BIG 3 Rally at Gaislachkogl base terminal.
M	END BASE TERMINAL GAISLACHKOGL	You did it! 50 kilometers of trails create memories that will stay with you forever.