Bad Gastein Ski Resort

Bad Gastein was known as Badgastein until just over a decade ago, when the local council decided to formalise the word Bad (“spa” in German) in the name. The second part, Gastein, is thought to relate to the water of the river or waterfall (“grey waters”).

The waters of the area or, to be more precise, the healing springs have been renowned since the days of the Middle Ages, when counts and kings used to visit to relax in the thermal baths. Up until pre-war days the town was a fashionable destination for the rich and famous – these days however, the tourism is more based around active holidays in summer and winter.

Hotel accommodation is either in the historic centre or the expanding settlement above around the train station and the ski lifts.

The main Bad Gastein ski area is on the Stubnerkogel, which rises to 2250m and also connects in with the skiing at Bad Hofgastein via the Angertal connection. Two more smaller areas are also interesting to visit – the highest is Sportgastein (2686m) above the settlement of Böckstein while the Graukogel chairlifts face across the valley from the Stubnerkogel.

The Gasteinertal (the Gastein valley) is relatively easy to access, with good road and rail connections. The most convenient airport is Salzburg airport.