Sportgastein, Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein

Gastein Valley
Cool snow, hot water

Bad Gastein stands out as a ski destination a little from the other parts of the Ski amadé world. Perhaps because Bad Gastein in particular represents the Amadé, i.e. the cultural content, more strongly. Classicism is more present in the historic buildings of the ancient spa town. Otherwise, modernity reigns supreme in this traditional town. In the galleries and exhibitions of Bad Gastein and during the "Art on Snow" festival at the end of January/beginning of February.

After a long sleep The town centre is now coming to life again. The German Travel Charme Group in particular has been involved in the revitalisation of the historic hotels in the centre. Badeschloss and Straubinger are open again, other hotels such as the 4*S boutique hotel the comodo – formerly Habsburger Hof – are shining in new splendour. It is also noticeable that some hotels are run by young, often well-travelled hosts. In recent years, skiing has come into focus with the lavish new construction of the Schlossalm in Bad Hofgastein. As a winter sports centre, the Gastein Valley certainly does not need to hide its light under a bushel. The 10-person cable car from Bad Hofgastein crosses the main road in spectacular fashion. The Schlossalm cable car starts directly from the bus and parking terminal and has the capacity to make the previous queue times a thing of the past. 1,000 metres in altitude are overcome in one go. As part of the new construction, 20,000 m2 of new slopes were created, with the H3 run being integrated in the Brandbichl area. Riding the lifts in the Gastein Valley is really fun, especially since it is no longer exposed to the whims of the foehn thanks to extensive snowmaking. The interplay between winter cold and warmth is a feature of the Gastein Valley anyway. When you stand at the famous waterfall in the center of Bad Gastein, many people are amazed to see the otherwise icy mountain water steaming. Despite numerous indoor pools and the new thermal bathing lake in the nude area of the Alpentherme Bad Hofgastein, and even despite a thermally heated steep walkway in the center of the historic spa town, there is an abundance of hot radon water. But in winter, the natural wonder that lets five million liters of 47-degree hot thermal water bubble up from the mountain every day is usually just an addition to the mountains that reach up to 2,700 meters. There, you will find mainly family-friendly slopes in the spacious, tree-free terrain. This includes the longest run in the Eastern Alps, at over ten kilometers, in the Schlossalm area of Bad Hofgastein, with a height difference of 1,440 meters. Otherwise, skiers mainly move around in the family-friendly areas of Schlossalm and Stubnerkogel, which are connected via the Angertal.

A hot tip is the really long and successful fun slope on the Schlossalm. Ski freaks will find snow-sure and tree-free terrain in Sportgastein. Because it is not that easy to get to, requiring a high-alpine car or, better, bus ride to the starting point, more adventurous skiers tend to be among themselves there. However, people are increasingly preferring to move away from snow-covered pistes. Fun for winter sports abstainers can be had at the top of the Stubnerkogel, where Europe's highest suspension bridge provides a thrill.