Ski Resorts
Zermatt: Maybe the world's most spectacular ski destination
Many agree that Zermatt has the toughest mountains, the most beautiful village, and the very best food on the slopes.
- October 09, 2026
- 5 Mins
Ski resorts
Bad Gastein – one of the most popular ski resorts in the Alps
At Bad Gastein, you get guaranteed snow and one of the most modern ski resorts in Europe. No wonder the Austrian village has become very popular with ski tourists from all over the world.
Picolo Editorial
"The most charming Alpine town in Austria."
This claim is often made about Bad Gastein. The city of just under 4,000 inhabitants is not only beautiful and authentic with its old buildings at the head of Salzburgerland. It also offers magical skiing in five different areas, in what is said to be one of the best and most modern ski resorts in the Alps.
Everything a skier could want
On a ski holiday in Bad Gastein, you get everything a ski tourist could wish for. A total of 201 kilometres of well-groomed slopes, pulsating après-ski spots, skilled guides and an Alpine destination with good service and high quality. The ski buses work excellently, and it is very easy to get to and from the five different mountains in the beautiful Alpine valley: Bad Gastein, Sportgastein, Bad Hofgastein, Dorfgastein, and Graukogel.
Popular ski resort
In Bad Gastein, you will also find the longest groomed slopes in Austria.
The lift system extends from 1,000 to 2,700 metres. Although not among the highest facilities in Europe, Bad Gastein still gives you enough altitude metres and kilometres of pistes on which to frolic. The slopes are long and well-groomed, and new and comfortable lifts connect the five areas efficiently.
After a week of skiing, you can still discover slopes you have not yet encountered. In Bad Gastein, you will also find the longest groomed slopes in Austria. Here, you can ride to the top of Stubnerkogel, for example, where you will find a route that gives you a full 11 kilometres of skiing, spread over 1,500 metres of altitude, without needing to take a break, if you don't want to. It's more than enough to get both your heart rate and lactic acid levels up.
Or you can try H1, which has its starting point at Hohe Scharte and is 14 kilometres long. H1 is marked red and is wide and nice. The view and the slope are each worth the trip on their own.
Read more: Zermatt – Maybe the worlds's most spectacular ski destination
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You choose your own dates and room on the hotel page.
After a week of skiing, you can still discover slopes you have not yet encountered.
300 PEAKS over 3,000
There are 300 peaks over 3,000 metres in the area, and you can arrange guided tours of many of these peaks.
Snow-rich mountains
This part of the Alps has good snowfall, since the first thing the low pressure fronts from the east hits is precisely the mountains around Salzburgerland. Here, the clouds shed their snow, forming the basis for fantastic off-piste skiing, for those who are looking for that.
There are 300 peaks over 3,000 metres in the area, and you can arrange guided tours of many of these peaks. For example, to Schareck, located 3,122 metres above sea level. You make your way to the top of the glacier on the Gletscherjet lift. This spectacular mountain offers 1,600 metres of knee-deep powder skiing, when the conditions are optimal. And best of all, you end up at the bottom of Sportgastein, almost without having taken a single pole stroke.
Bad Gastein and the neighbouring villages of Dorfgastein and Bad Hofgastein have preserved the area's traditional building style and architecture, giving you a real Alpine feel from when the region hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1958. Its well-known and venerable luxury hotels Salzburger Hof, Whürer's Bellevue and Hotel de I'Europe have attracted ski tourists for many years.
Lively après-ski parties
Austria is well known for its lively après-ski parties. Bad Gastein is no exception. Here, you will find plenty of discos and bars. One of the most popular is the Silver Bullet and Haeggbloms Bar. At the latter, there is a 'dance on the tables' guarantee.
Bad Gastein also has hot springs, which form the basis for a wide range of spa opportunities. Here, you will find an outdoor whirlpool at a full 35 degrees Celsius, where you can enjoy the view of the white-clad alpine peaks while relieving your sore muscles. The hot water comes from springs deep in the mountains and is said to contain a number of minerals that are beneficial to your health, should that sway you. The spas are well known far beyond Austria and are several thousand square metres in size. Try Felsentherme, which claims to be Europe's most environmentally friendly spa.
Getting to Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is one of the most easily accessible ski resorts in the Alps. The easiest way to get there is to fly to the ski metropolis of Salzburg. Here, you can easily drive a rental car or take a shuttle from the airport directly to the ski area. Another option is Innsbruck, which is also centrally located for most ski resorts in Austria.
Enjoy your trip to Bad Gastein, Austria
Picolo Editorial
Where to stay in Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein is built on a steep mountainside around its waterfall, with Belle Époque hotels and hot springs. Choose a hotel with a spa and a ski bus, and the journey between the slopes and the baths is a short one.
Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt: spa and ski bus
A hotel with a spa and a free ski bus.
Book your stay: See rooms at Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt
Hotel DAS REGINA: après-ski and spa
A hotel with two bars and a spa.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel DAS REGINA
A-ROSA Straubinger Grand Hotel: adults only
An adults-only hotel with an outdoor pool and restaurant.
Book your stay: See rooms at A-ROSA Straubinger Grand Hotel
Want to compare? See all our ski resorts, our pick of the best ski resorts in Europe or read about skiing in Chamonix.
See more resorts in the Alps.
Frequently asked questions about skiing in Bad Gastein
How many ski areas does Bad Gastein have?
The Gastein valley has five ski areas: Bad Gastein, Sportgastein, Bad Hofgastein, Dorfgastein and Graukogel. Together they offer 201 kilometres of groomed slopes, and the ski buses make it easy to move between the mountains.
What long runs are there in Bad Gastein?
From the top of the Stubnerkogel you can ski 11 kilometres with a 1,500-metre vertical drop. The H1 run from Hohe Scharte is 14 kilometres long, red-graded and wide. Bad Gastein has some of the longest groomed runs in Austria.
How high is the Bad Gastein ski area?
The lift system runs from around 1,000 to 2,700 metres above sea level. It is not among the highest resorts in Europe, but it offers plenty of vertical and long runs, with modern lifts linking the areas.
Where should I stay in Bad Gastein?
Choose a hotel with a spa and a ski bus. Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt includes a free ski bus, Hotel DAS REGINA has two bars and a spa, and A-ROSA Straubinger Grand Hotel is adults only, with an outdoor pool.