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❖Destination Report: Europe

Bad Gastein, Austria

By Justine Mulattieri

O
Once the premier meeting place for royalty
and diplomats, Bad Gastein is modern
Europe’s best-kept skiing secret. Nestled in
the tourist-friendly Austrian state of Salzburg,
the Bad Gastein Valley is surrounded on all
sides by the fabled Alps and contains the
historic town of Bad Gastein, where quaint,
multi-storied lodgings are built directly into
the mountains. The Alpine scenery creates
the perfect backdrop for year-round outdoor
activity and helps Bad Gastein maintain its
position as one of Austria’s largest and most
picturesque skiing areas.

Bad Gastein has a long and turbulent history.
Originally popularized for the curative
powers of its thermal springs, Bad Gastein
has endured countless natural disasters,
wars and gold rushes, finally emerging as a
skier’s paradise in the mid-20th century.
which features the “spa of quiet,” a large pool heated to
Today, Bad Gastein boasts 124 miles of downhill slopes, 89.6 degrees, and the newly redesigned, world-famous
divided into five separate areas. These areas include 37 “Rock Wall.” The valley also houses a family-themed
miles of beginner-level slopes, 72.7 miles of intermediate “adventure spa” with water slides, rocky grottoes, “fairy-
and 14.9 miles to challenge the experienced skier. With the tale” pool, lap pools, relaxation pools and an open-air spa
largest vertical drop a stunning 3,773 feet, the advanced surrounded by panoramic views of the Alps. Tipping its
skiing areas of Bad Gastein are not for the faint-of-heart. hat to European culture, Bad Gastein is also home to
However, this resort town offers a wide assortment of numerous luxury casinos, where visitors can spend their
family-style hills, carving hills, deep-snow and mogul runs. time experiencing an entirely different type of adrenaline
Recent updates to the ski resort include 214 artificial snow rush than is provided by outdoor activities.
cannons and the family-friendly Angertal Ski Centre.
There is a total of 48 hotels in Bad Gastein. Two of the
In addition to downhill skiing, Bad Gastein offers its visitors most noteworthy are the Weismayr, a four-star hotel that
a full winter sports experience with 55.9 miles of cross features a thermal indoor pool, spa treatments and pack-
country trails at 5,249 feet above sea level. The region ages available with local casinos; it is situated a mere
has recently debuted the “Nordic Cruising” technique, 0.2 mi from lifts. At the same distance from ski lifts is the
a unique cross country skiing-walking hybrid that uses a four-star Elisabethpark, which was completely renovated in
short cruising ski with a broad footprint. For the more 2008. Renovations included brand new spa areas offering
adventurous visitor, there is the option of ice climbing in a wide variety of treatments as well as an assortment of
the Gastein Valley Ice Falls, with beginner-to-expert routes bars and restaurants.
accompanied by Austrian climbing guides.
In preparation for hosting the 2010 LG Snowboard FIS
Just as legendary as its ski terrain is Bad Gastein’s unpar- World Cup, Bad Gastein recently completed construction
allelled après-ski offerings. The Gastein Valley is laden with on its brand new Stubnerkogel ski lift, which is 1.6 miles
thermal springs, hailed for their high mineral and natural long and can carry up to 2,800 passengers per hour to the
gas counts which ease symptoms of various ailments. heart of the ski area.
Naturally, the town of Bad Gastein boasts multiple world-
class spas. The most famous of these is the Felsentherme, Contact: gastein.com

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