Bad Gastein 6 Day Snow Forecast

Arctic Fox from United Kingdom writes:

Badgastein is where I learnt to ski some 25 years ago, and I still keep on going back. There is so much skiing in 6 areas (some linked like Badgastein/Angertal/Hofgastein & Dorfgastein/Grossarl)and 2 further areas - the Graukogel (including the World Cup runs) and the high altitude Sportgastein. Each of these areas has its own character & appeal and with such variety, no matter what the weather, there is still always great skiing to find. If the weather is stormy, the Angertal is always shaded through the trees; on a sunny day, there is little that can beat the open runs of Sportgastein looking down to the tree line and up to the cobalt skies. Most people tend to head towards the Stubnerkogel (Badgastein) or Schlossalm with a great number of lifts & runs and great opportunities for all standards of skiers. But my personal favourite is the Graukogel on the opposite side of the valley. With just 3 lifts (2 chairs & 1 T-bar) and being a short bus ride from the main areas, this undiscovered gem has great reds & blacks (including the world cup run & a glorious unpisted black) and for those lazy, sunny afternoons some long relaxing glides through the trees on the blues. This is very much the area for "those in the know" and where the local Badgastein folk come for a few hours R&R. And little can beat a "Lumbumba" (Rum & Hot Chocolate) in Toni's cabin at the top!

Beyond the skiing, there is no end of possibilities in the valley for non-skiers or apres-ski. The Gastein towns originally grew up around the spa waters found in the valley, and Badgastein to this day is full of fantastic Viennese architecture and grand hotels & cafes. There are excellent pool & thermal complexes in each of Dorfgastein, Hofgastein & Bad Gastein offering all sorts of treatments as well as the swimming and many hotels offer their own range of treatments too. Nightlife is varied - from chic cafe's and restaurants to bustling bars, night clubs and a couple of discos ranging from the kitsch to the hip. There is skating, curling, and a night at the rustic Bellevue Alm is a must - a short trip on a private chairlift up to Alm for great food, drink, music & dancing followed by a floodlit tobogan ride back to the valley.

All in all, the Gastein valley is one of Austria's hidden treasures with something for everyone - go once and you'll keep going back!

2007-01-04