Jaw-dropping mountain landscapes, wide, tree-lined runs and a town with the air of faded Austrian Victorian elegance. Welcome to Bad Gastein ski resort!
Contrary to its name, Bad Gastein ski holidays are actually very good! Especially for seasoned skiers. At the heart of the Gastein Valley, and with lifts linking to neighbouring Bad Hofgastein, there are oodles of super-fun pistes to keep you on your toes.
And guess what! Bad Gastein ski trips are a bit of a freeride hotspot, too. Book a local off-piste guide to discover deep powder bowls, steep verticals and narrow chutes. What’s not to love?
Flying Waters - Soar over the Gastein gorge on a giant zipline.
Ice Climbing - Climb up frozen waterfalls with beginner and advanced spots available.
Aeroplan tobogganing - Zoom down this 3,300m sled run on the Schlossalm with plenty of bends and turns.
Felsentherme Spa - Unwind with a soak in the world-famous, mineral-rich thermal waters.
Wild mountain cart rides - Zoom down the Fulseck adventure mountain on three wheels.
Horse & Husky rides - Be a musher for the day, or snuggle under warm blankets on a horse-drawn sleigh ride.
Restaurants in Bad Gastein
Bellevue Alm - One of the Valley’s most iconic spots. Only accessible by its own private chairlift, come here for mouth-watering spare ribs and cheese fondues.
Valeriehaus - Located in the high-altitude village of Sportgastein, this is a must-visit for Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes) with a view.
Hirsch und Maus - Located at the Schlossalmbahn mountain station, this sun-trap serves up cold beers and frothy hot chocolates with a view out onto the slopes.
Gasteiner Wirtshaus - It doesn’t get more Austrian than this. Schnitzels, wood-pannelled walls, and hearty portions. Prost!
Nightlife & Apres in Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein après pairs Austrian elegance with disco balls, and the cheesiest euro-pop hits...
Silver Bullet Bar: The king of après-ski in Bad Gastein, this massive, multi-level American-style log cabin pumps out live music and DJ sets almost every night.
Haeggbloms: Known for its wild, "old school" Austrian après, expect dancing on tables and plenty of cheesy Euro-pop hits.
Schlossalm (Weitmoserin): If you end your day skiing down to Bad Hofgastein, this bar at the base of the lift is the place to be for a classic "umbrella bar" vibe.
Miramonte Bar - A trip here is a must for true Wes Anderson vibes. Think Negronis at sunset overlooking the valley.
FAQs about Bad Gastein ski holidays Your questions answered by our Bad Gastein ski resort expert
Bad Gastein skiing is excellent. With over 200km of local pistes split across four diverse ski areas, Bad Gastein ski holidays have it all, from peachy powder high-altitude bowls to serene, scenic tree-lined runs.
Are Bad Gastein ski holidays snow-sure?
Yes. At 2650m, Ski Amadé gets excellent snow all season. Plus, a platoon of snow cannons will blast the slopes with fresh flakes if snowfall is scarce.
Is Bad Gastein a high-altitude ski resort?
Yes. While the resort itself sits at 1,000m, the skiing in Bad Gastein reaches heights of2,686m, which is significantly higher than many other famous Austrian resorts.
When’s the best time to book a Bad Gastein ski holiday?
The most popular time to head to Bad Gastein is in January and February, when icy temperatures keep the pistes pristine. But avoid these peak times and head for a March ski holiday instead if you want to enjoy peaceful runs, spring skiing, and dodge the half-term crowds.
We also recommend checking out the Bad Gastein events calendar for heaps of fun throughout the winter season, including ski touring, freeride safaris, and even the snowboard world cup!
Is Bad Gastein suitable for family ski trips?
Yes. Bad Gastein is excellent for family ski holidays. There are excellent kids' clubs available, like Gasti Park, the beginner’s area over at Angertal Ski Centre with wide, flat nursery slopes, and a fun centre at the top of the Stubnerkogel.
Looking for the best family ski holidays in Austria? Click here.
Are Bad Gastein ski holidays good for advanced skiers and snowboarders?
Yes, Bad Gastein ski holidays are excellent for advanced skiers and snowboarders. A well-known free-riding hotspot, the Sportgastein area offers challenging off-piste "ski routes," and the Graukogel mountain features steep, world-class black runs used in professional racing.
What’s more, Bad Gastein also regularly hosts the Snowboard World Cup, and as such, there is a large snowpark on the Stubnerkogel and plenty of wide, open terrain for carving.
Are Bad Gastein ski holidays still good if you don’t ski?
Yes, arguably, Bad Gastein ski holidays are among the best in Europe for non-skiers. Between the world-famous thermal spas, the 140m suspension bridge on the peak, and the spectacular waterfall in the middle of the town, there is plenty to do with or without skis.
Is Bad Gastein good for a weekend ski trip?
Yes. Bad Gastein ski weekends are fantastic, with transfers from Salzburg Airport (SZG) just 1 hour and 15 minutes by train or car.
Once in the resort, the Stubnerkogel gondoladeparts directly from the upper part of the town, right next to the train station - so flying in the morning and skiing by lunch couldn’t be easier.
Looking for the best ski weekends in Austria? Read the blog here.
Is Bad Gastein ski resort linked to any other resorts?
Yes. Bad Gastein is physically linked to neighbouringBad Hofgastein via lifts and slopes. It is also part of the enormous Ski Amadé ski area, giving you access to a whopping 760km of slopes on one lift pass.
What’s the best ski run in Bad Gastein?
For the best ski run in Bad Gastein, we recommend checking out the Hohe Scharte Nord red run. One of the longest runs in the Eastern Alps, with a 10km descent and a massive vertical drop of 1,440m, it’s fantastic for those looking for steep, challenging sections and gentle, scenic cruising to help start the holiday off with a bang.
Hotels & Apartments in Bad Gastein
Our top recommended hotels and apartments. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists
Alpenlodge Windischgrätzhöhe
Bad Gastein, Austria
1 minute walk
Alpine Spa Hotel Haus Hirt
Bad Gastein, Austria
5 minute bus
Appartements Sonnenwende by AlpenTravel
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute walk
Badeschloss
Bad Gastein, Austria
8 minute walk
Boutiquehotel Lindenhof
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute walk
Chalet Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
5 minute bus
Club Alpenresidenz Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
8 minute bus
Comfort Rooms Bruckner
Bad Gastein, Austria
7 minute bus
Das REGINA Boutiquehotel
Bad Gastein, Austria
4 minute bus
Das Schider - sanfter Luxus trifft Aparthotel
Bad Gastein, Austria
7 minute bus
De l'Europe Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
5 minute bus
Design Hotel Miramonte
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute walk
Euro Youth Hotel & Krone
Bad Gastein, Austria
4 minute walk
EUROPÄISCHER HOF Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
7 minute bus
Familienhotel Sonngastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
9 minute bus
Hapimag Resort Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
8 minute bus
Haus Lothringen by AlpenTravel
Bad Gastein, Austria
4 minute bus
Hotel & Kurhotel Mozart
Bad Gastein, Austria
4 minute bus
Hotel Alpenblick
Bad Gastein, Austria
7 minute walk
Hotel Bärenhof
Bad Gastein, Austria
5 minute walk
Hotel Bristol - Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
5 minute bus
Hotel Echo
Bad Gastein, Austria
4 minute bus
Hotel Eden Rock
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute bus
Hotel Elisabethpark
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute bus
Hotel Evianquelle
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute bus
Hotel Gisela
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute walk
Hotel HAAS
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute bus
Hotel Post - Bad Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute bus
Hotel Rader
Bad Gastein, Austria
7 minute bus
Hotel Salzburger Hof
Bad Gastein, Austria
5 minute walk
Hotel Sanotel & Apartment
Bad Gastein, Austria
6 minute bus
Hotel Simader
Bad Gastein, Austria
10 minute walk
Kur&Ferien Hotel Helenenburg
Bad Gastein, Austria
3 minute walk
MONDI Hotel Bellevue Gastein
Bad Gastein, Austria
7 minute walk
Panorama SPA Aparthotel Schillerhof by AlpenTravel