Ski Trip to Sölden Austria
After a long Chicago winter, I was craving a new scene—ironically i ended up in the cold and snow. one with mountain air, bright light, and a bit of music-fueled chaos. So I packed my camera gear and booked a flight to Turin, Italy, setting off on a multi-stop journey that would end in Sölden, Austria for a week-long celebration of skiing and electronic music at the Electric Mountain Festival.
This trip had it all: European cities, scenic train rides, snow-covered peaks, and DJs performing above 2,000 meters. And as a photographer, it was the kind of trip that pushed me to shoot everything from quiet architectural frames to fast-paced action on the slopes.
Stop One: Touchdown in Turin
My first destination was Turin, where I had the special opportunity to photograph my best friend’s engagement. Shooting a personal moment like that in a European city added a lot of emotional weight to the trip—and the setting couldn’t have been better. Turin’s blend of baroque architecture, winding streets, and Alpine views made for a timeless backdrop.
For the engagement session, I focused on natural light and candid moments. We shot in the early evening, when the sun dipped low behind the buildings, casting long shadows across the piazzas. I used my Tamron 17–70mm lens on the Sony a6300, switching between wide-angle scenes to showcase the city and tighter compositions to highlight quiet, intimate moments between the two of them.
Quick Stop in Verona
Next, I boarded a train to Verona, a midway stop that gave me one night to reset before heading into the Alps. Even with limited time, I managed to squeeze in a quick morning run along the Adige River. The water reflected the warm orange tones of old bridges and bell towers, which I captured with my Sony RX100 during what turned into a spontaneous sightseeing shoot.
This was more of a "travel journal" approach—capturing fleeting moments in passing and letting the mood of the place guide the frames.
Quick Pass Through Innsbruck, Austria
Nestled in the heart of the Alps, Innsbruck makes a stunning impression—even during a brief pass-through. I only had a short window while switching trains, but the charm of the city was immediate. As the train pulled into the station, snow-capped peaks framed pastel-colored buildings, creating a postcard-perfect backdrop that felt both alpine and urban.
With just enough time to stretch my legs, I stepped out for a quick wander. The streets near the Hauptbahnhof are walkable and filled with a quiet, relaxed energy. Even a 20-minute stroll offered glimpses of the city’s mix of medieval and modern—cobblestone alleys, baroque architecture, and sleek cafes tucked under ancient facades.
Though my stay was short, Innsbruck left a mark. It’s the kind of place that invites a longer visit next time, maybe with a pair of hiking boots or skis in tow.
Main Destination: Sölden, Austria
Arriving in Sölden felt like stepping into a completely different world. Framed by 3,000-meter peaks and crisscrossed with high-speed gondolas, the town buzzed with the energy of the Electric Mountain Festival—a week-long, high-altitude celebration that transforms the resort into a mountaintop rave.
For a photographer, it’s a dream setting: endless white terrain, dramatic alpine backdrops, and crowds dancing in ski gear to a soundtrack of pulsing electronic beats.
Most mornings, I hit the slopes early, shooting on-the-go with my Sony RX100, a compact point-and-shoot that fits perfectly in my Lululemon crossbody. I kept extra batteries on hand (cold temps drain them fast) and relied on burst mode at 1/500s to freeze motion mid-run. I focused on wide, welcoming frames of the mountain scenery, the skiers, and the interplay of light across the slopes.
Photographing the Electric Mountain Festival
Shooting a music festival on a mountaintop comes with unique challenges. The light is harsh at midday, but the altitude creates amazing clarity—perfect for wide shots of the stage and mountains.
I experimented with:
Backlit performer shots using the sun low in the frame and stopping down to f/11.
Candid lifestyle moments: people dancing in ski boots, goggles pushed up, drinks in hand—all with 70mm compressed compositions that pulled the mountains close behind the subject.
Balancing Skiing and Shooting
One of the biggest challenges was switching between being in the moment and documenting it. Skiing with a camera means traveling light and thinking ahead. I usually planned my shots before getting on the lift—mentally noting angles, sun direction, and where I wanted to be when the light hit just right.
Photographer’s Note: Use gondola rides to reset and review your shots. I used that time to adjust settings, clean lenses, and rewarm batteries. Also, keep a microfiber cloth handy—snow spray is no joke.
Wrapping Up the Trip
After a week of blue skies, bass drops, and fast runs down glacier-fed slopes, I made my way back through Munich before flying home to Chicago. It was the kind of trip that reminded me why I shoot in the first place: not just to document what I see, but to translate the feeling of being there. From Italy’s timeless cityscapes to Austria’s futuristic mountaintop stages, this trip challenged me to adapt across lighting conditions, subjects, and styles—and that’s the kind of creative stretch I live for. Whether you're planning your own ski/music getaway or looking for a new location to photograph, Sölden in early spring offers something special: great light, dramatic terrain, and an atmosphere that blends culture and adrenaline in one unforgettable setting.
I'll be sharing select images from the trip in my print shop and on Instagram—feel free to reach out if you have questions about gear, locations, or travel logistics.