Skiing, Spas and Stunning Views in Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein and the Gastein Valley offers super skiing, an array of activities for non-skiers, world-class thermal spas, and magical mountain views!
Located in the Austrian Alps, just 70 minutes from Salzburg, the Gastein Valley is a great choice for a winter holiday. As well as superb skiing and breathtaking views, there are a host of winter activities available for non-skiers. Famous for its rejuvenating thermal spas which are located in two of Gastein’s main villages, Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein, they are the perfect place to unwind after a day on the mountain.
Skiing in Bad Gastein and the Gastein Valley
Gastein Valley is one of five regions ( 25 ski resorts ) in the Ski Amadé region, one of the largest ski areas in Europe. Skiers can purchase a Ski Amadé lift pass ( minimum 2 days ) which will allow them to ski in any of 25 ski resorts.
However, there are plenty of options if you wish to stay in the Gastein Valley.
The valley has three villages: Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein as well as a fourth ski area in Sportgastein which is ideal for advanced and off-piste skiers.
Bad Gastein is the most well known of the three villages and offers superb skiing for all levels, including advanced skiers. It also boasts the famous Felsentherme Spa and has the liveliest aprés ski of the three.
We stayed in the charming village of Bad Hofgastein which is a great choice for couples or families looking for a relaxing resort with plenty of slopes for beginners and intermediate skiers, as well as a large modern Spa in the centre of the village.
Dorfgastein has a less crowded ski area, I skied here too and came down the mountain at sunrise on mountain carts – more on that later!
Thermal Spas in Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein
For many, the decision to choose the Gastein Valley for a winter holiday is due to the world-famous thermal spas that are located here. The valley is home to naturally warm, mineral-rich waters that have been attracting visitors for centuries.
The mountains of Gastein provide several million litres of thermal water from 18 springs every day. One million litres of this flows into the indoor and outdoor pools of the Felsentherme Bad Gastein – the most famous Spa in the area. Located at,1100 metres in the middle of the Salzburg mountains, its unique setting offers unbeatable views. It is divided into four Spa areas: Relaxation Spa, outdoor thermal baths with sports and hot pools, a sauna area and an Adventure Spa for families with waterslides.
The temperature at the springs can be up to 46 degrees celsius and depending on the time of year and bathing area, it has a temperature of 24 – 34 degrees in the various pools at Felsentherme. Day tickets cost €38 per adult and €22 per child.
We visited the Alpentherme Spa in Bad Gastein which is a more modern structure but offers similar facilities including indoor and outdoor pools and a dedicated family and sauna area. Its location in the centre of town allows many hotels, including the hotel we stayed in, Hotel Norica, to have direct access via an underground tunnel. In most cases access to this Spa is included in the cost of your hotel stay. For people staying elsewhere, day tickets cost €48.50 per adult and €27 for children aged 6-15.
Winter Activities for Non Skiers in Gastein
One of the things about Gastein that impressed me the most was the amount of winter activities available for people who, like me, don’t necessarily want to ski every day of their holiday, but still want to enjoy outdoor pursuits. The Gastein valley must be one of the best resorts for non skiers in Austria.
Snowshoe hiking or hiking
While I skied, my friend and travel journalist Ed Finn, went snowshoe hiking through the Angertal valley. This 3-hour guided group tour is only €12 per adult and €8 per child including rental of snowshoes.
Once you have a lift pass you can also take the gondola up to the top of the Stubnerkogel mountain and enjoy the many walking and hiking trails there at your leisure. As well as stunning views you will see a 140 metre-long suspension footbridge which can be walked across all year round.
Top Tip: Enjoy lunch at Hauserbauer’s Gipflsadl Mountain Restaurant, before or after your hike, which is located right at the top of the Fulseck lift station. It serves Austrian favourites such as Grostl (one of my personal favourite mountain dishes) as well as delicious home-made pizza.
Sunrise Mountain Carting
For a unique and exhilarating thing to do in Austria, I can’t recommend mountain carting enough! As well as the thrill of driving down from the top of the mountain in a three-wheeled mountain cart, having the wide open slopes to yourself before they open to skiers is an incredible experience.
This activity is limited to one group, minimum 8 people – maximum 15 and is only available on Tuesday mornings. You receive guidance on how to navigate the carts before you begin and an experienced guide leads the group, with another following at the back. The carts are relatively easy to navigate and there are brakes if you wish to slow down.
Price wise it is very reasonable at just €34 per person, and is available to people aged 15 and over.
Tobogganing
Gastein’s Aeroplan natural toboggan run on the Schlossalm, is a family friendly toboggan run that is 3.5 kilometers in length. There is another natural toboggan run located at Bellevue Alm. The fun starts before you even get there – as you need to ride the last active one-seater chairlift to get there! I used this for dinner in the restaurant in the same location – it is not for the faint hearted!
Ice Climbing
Thrillseekers might be interested to know that the Gastein Valley has made a name for itself as one of the best places to try ice climbing. There are both easy practice areas as well as challenging routes along icefalls and frozen waterfalls. Ice climbing is also a fun sport for spectators, especially when they climb up the ice pillars directly above the landmark waterfall in the town centre of Bad Gastein.
Resort and Hotel Recommendations in Bad Gastein
Royalty and celebrities flocked to Bad Gastein in the 1800s to enjoy its unique Belle Epoque architecture and original thermal baths, and it certainly is the most picturesque of the three villages. It also has the best aprés ski, so if you like a lively atmosphere when you ski then this is the resort to choose, and the SalzburgerHof is the best hotel in Bad Gastein.
I really liked Bad Hofgastein. It is a charming village and is a super choice for couples or families, offering a more relaxed atmosphere than Bad Gastein. The Hotel Norica is a family run hotel that offers superb service and great food and has an underground ‘bath robe access’ to the Alpentherme Spa which is included in the cost of your stay.
Restaurant and Après-Ski Recommendations
Unfortunately I only spent three nights / two days in the Gastein Valley so my recommendations are limited, but I can recommend the following:
Wengeralm Mountain Hut, Dorfgastein : For epic mountain views and comfy sun loungers – the perfect pit stop on the mountain for a drink, lunch, or early aprés ski.
Hauserbauer’s Gipflsadl Mountain Restaurant, Dorfgastein: A must visit at the top of the Fulseck mountain station. The food, drinks and views were excellent – they even have good home-made pizza if you don’t fancy Austrian fare. There is also a sun terrace for outdoor dining and a viewing platform behind it.
Bellevue Alm, Bad Gastein: For traditional Austrian cuisine and lively atmosphere. You need to access this restaurant by a single chair lift which is all part of the experience. Top Tip: It was Fondue night when we were there, and food was very limited, plus the music was Austrian folk, so make sure to check the menu and entertainment before you book.
Silver Bullet Bar, Bad Gastein: This place was recommended to me by numerous people as being the best aprés ski bar in Bad Gastein, and it did not disappoint. The live music and atmosphere was electric.
How to get to Bad Gastein and Gastein Valley
The closest airport to the Gastein Valley is Salzburg, just 95km and 70 minutes drive from the airport. You can also catch the train from the airport to Gastein, although they are not always direct so may take a little longer. Munich airport is also accessible, approximately 3 hours drive away.
If you are skiing for the first time I always recommend booking through a dedicated ski tour operator such as Topflight or Crystal Ski. They will suggest the best resort and ski area to suit you, and book your ski equipment, lessons and lift passes.
Read: My top 10 ski tips for beginners
With super skiing, a wide variety of activities for non skiers, and some of the best thermal Spas in Austria, the Gastein Valley is the perfect winter holiday destination. I can’t wait to return to this piece of paradise in the heart of the Austrian Alps!
