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Snowsure: 3.8
- Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing
- Is often closed due to a lack of snow
- Occasionally suffers from a lack of snow
- Rarely suffers from a lack of snow
- Bad Hofgastein is snowsure even in the poorest seasons
Bad Hofgastein Resort Reviews
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(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Latest
February 20, 2024
Howard Beanland from
United Kingdom
Howard Beanland from
United Kingdom
This is a limited review of Bad Hofgastein as we were based in Dorfgastein, and because our holiday was truncated by an injury sustained by me on day three of our week.
Dorfgastein is a quiet village and if it’s apres ski you are looking for, this is not the place. However, there are a number of restaurants and bars. Conveniently, there is a shuttle bus which runs round the village to the Gipfelbahn Fulseck.
As a previous reviewer noted, the runs here are pretty challenging. The only really easy skiing is between the top of the Kreuzkogel and the mid station of the Panoramabahn on the Grossarl side of the mountain. Most of blues are quite steep, the reds even more so. In fact, some would be categorised as soft blacks in other resorts. So, I wouldn’t recommend either Dorfgastein or Grossarl for absolute beginners.
I can’t comment too much about the rest of the valley. Our initial impression of Bad Hofgastein is that the runs were somewhat easier and the long red from Hohe Scharte to the mid lift station was excellent. Immediately after that, disaster struck. As I was incapacitated, on day four we decided to go to Sportgastein for a look around. It’s definitely worth visiting at least once. It’s quite high, so will probably be in better condition than the other valley resorts early and late in the season. The skiing is on open slopes, nearly all reds. The views and scenery are superb, but definitely not the place to go in bad weather, as there’s no tree cover. Money saving tip: take the ski bus, otherwise it will cost you 5.50 euros per person if you drive along the toll road.
February 04, 2024
Barband Stew from
United Kingdom
Barband Stew from
United Kingdom
All the reviews on here are ancient! So thought we would update you.
The skiing in the Gastein Valley is awesome! The lift system has greatly improved and we really love the skiing from Dorfgastein over to Wassarl, fab restaurants, very uncrowded and the most amazing sweeping long runs all the way to Wassarl. From Bad hofgastein you can reach the whole valley, even sportgastein, which is great for late season of poorer snow conditions..its high! Badhofgastein offer a great thermal spa and many local hotels include entry, its one of the best we have even visited a great way to spend the day for non skiers.
If you have a car the ski pass covers the whole ski amade system and its well worth the drive to Deinten where you can access the whole Hochkonig area, which is huge and great skiing for those liking big long blue runs!
February 10, 2020
Gill Hughes from
United Kingdom
Gill Hughes from
United Kingdom
Beautiful village, great accommodation with Alpenthereme but the skiing is not for me, even my husband found them challenging. Anything less the strong intermediate will not get much skiing at this resort, even the blues are extremely challenging steep, narrow and often icy. Reds would probably be better but too steep for me to enjoy. But that is the same in most of Austria because it’s such steep terrain. So, if you're looking for long flowing blues you won’t find any here. Wish I had found a review like this before I went. But the resort is superb to relax in. Also, there is a lot of waiting around for buses even if they are free,
January 28, 2019
Timothy Smith from
United Kingdom
Timothy Smith from
United Kingdom
For ski hire, The Ski Club of Great Britain recommended Intersport Fleiss in Bad Hofgastein and said that it offered a “good discount”. In reality, Intersport Fleiss only offered 10%, which I do not consider a good discount (especially as the full price for mid-level skis for six days, without boots, was EUR145.00). I could have got the skis via online rental for EUR104.00.
The staff at Intersport Fleiss were uncommunicative, surly and unhelpful. They did not offer ski insurance when I rented skis and did not provide any paperwork in respect of the rental. When I returned another day to try to exchange my skis for wider ones, they offered nothing useful. At that point I asked for insurance, which was provided. I paid the additional sum demanded but the shop did not provide any confirmatory documentation. Hence, (I subsequently realised) I had no knowledge of the cover provided or conditions of insurance (thankfully, the insurance was not needed).
My conclusion: Avoid Intersport Fleiss!
March 01, 2013
DonL from
United Kingdom
DonL from
United Kingdom
I visited the beginning of Feb 2013. There seem to be many conflicting reports on the resort and I shall try to help by giving an unbiased view. I have skied in many resorts in a number of countries in Europe and can therefore compare them to the Gastien Valley.
The Gastein valley is not typical of many Austrian resorts, I found it to be much larger than had been suggested by some posters on this site, certainly enough to keep an intermediate skier happy for a week.
I spent most of my time skiing the Angertal and Sclossalm slopes and spent 2 days in Dorfgastein, I also had a trip out to Hochkonig area for a day; this is covered on the Ski Amade pass which also covers some other major resorts in the area.
The Gastein Valley slopes are, in my opinion, at the upper end of their grading and best suit intermediates who are willing to take on some slopes that are fairly steep. Some of the blues are fairly steep or have steepish pitches and many reds are challenging, although there are a few less steep slopes I would not really recommend to a beginner as there is little to progress to that does not have some sections that may worry beginners. Experts may get bored after a few days unless they spend time off-piste.
When I visited the slopes were busy due to Austrian half-term, though the longest queue was about 20mins for both the funicular and cable car; it is now time that they were replaced with a fast modern 2 stage gondola.
Piste marking was lacking; in poor visibility it was possible to find yourself off-piste so great care was needed. Grooming was good but due to it being busy many runs became badly cut up and some had moguls due to this, a good example was the Hohe Scharte Nord which by the afternoon was almost top to bottom moguls. The steeper runs were the most badly affected on the whole.
Dorfgastein was, in my opinion, much better. Although busy, it was less so and the runs were far better, they were wider and there were more of them in the trees helping with visibility, the snow seemed better in this area too. Probably a little better for beginners too as a few less steep runs.
On-mountain restaurants are good with the standard Austrian offerings and pretty good value.
The bus services were like everything else: a little busy. They were, however, frequent and I had no problems using the service to Dorfgastein. The others seemed regular too and the round resort bus from hotels was frequent but sometimes full.
In conclusion, the resort is a good choice for those who like red runs and are happy to have a challenge. It can get pretty windy at the top and Dorfgastein is best for poor weather days. I will definitely return but think I would try to visit outside of the school holidays.
February 14, 2013
James Dunford from
Austria
James Dunford from
Austria
Visited Bad Hofgastein in Feb 2013 (half-term week) after choosing it based on cost. Having visited Obergurgl last year and Saalbach the year before, we were a little skeptical (mainly due to the height for snow!) but overall, it's an awesome place.
The slopes are hugely varied with something for everyone, the piste preparation was fantastic and we'll probably be back!
The main problem is the lifts in the town: an outdated funicular followed by a cable car right to the top. It's apparently down to a stubborn local and a land issue so doesn't look like it'll change any time soon.
Overall, you should go - it's good value and has a huge range of king across the value.
February 04, 2013
Sanja from
Austria
Sanja from
Austria
After many recommendations we decided to visit Bad Hofgastein. We saw the ski map and expected to have great skiing. Disappointment was enormous because ski slopes were not prepared nor was there slope maintenance. This was the first time we saw slopes like this and wondered how is it possible that famous ski center in Austria does not care for slope maintenance!?!
Visitors: Tanja, Svetlana, Luka, Jelena, Predrag, Dejan and Sanja
April 13, 2010
David Brady from
United Kingdom
David Brady from
United Kingdom
Went to Bad Hofgastein on Good Friday for a week. We went there in 2007 and returned because it's a beautiful town, and the Alpen Therme baths are amazing. It snowed on Easter Sunday, but the snow lower down was nearly gone by the end of the week. I would say there were definitely enough runs to keep most skiers happy. The ski buses are free and very useful. The ski school was excellent and our five year old was going up in cable cars/chair lifts by the end of our week and skiing down happily. We used Angertal as our base station and it has had a lot of investment and is beautifully designed. We stayed at the Pension Heuberger in an apartment and it was very good, spotlessly clean and good value. The restaurant at the Hotel Zur Post was particularly good. Flew in to Salzburg and booked a private transfer with austria-limousine; Erich was helpful and efficient and this was by far the best value transfer we could find to take a family of four plus ski gear, without having to take trains/coaches. After skiing in Switzerland (Crans-Montana, Torgon) in 2008 & 2009, Austria felt like good value and all the people we dealt with and met during the week were lovely. Next year - Italy but we'll definitely return to Bad Hogastein!
March 01, 2009
E, F from
Austria
E, F from
Austria
Bad Hofgastein is worth 3 days, no more. It is smallish, like most Austrian areas, with the skiing predominately above the tree-line. We were there during the traditional ski weeks for the kids (1st three weeks of Feb) , so lots of kids and parents.
There is now currently 1 funicular, 1 tram, 3 high speeds, 3 old, low, slow speed chairs and one T-bar. The lift and piste layout could be better, however, it is adequate.
The run out at the base gets quite skied off and very dangerous at the end of day. It funnels down into a narrow run which gets steep at points and goes under the railroad bridge. If your edges are not razor sharp and your skills below intermediate, download mid mountain.
Heavy snows made going to Sport Gastein impossible. The road was closed there. Avalanche danger was high the whole 4 days we were there.
Bad Gastein definitely has limited skiing; most of the runs face the prevailing winds and get blown down to nothing in a hurry. Restaurant at the top of the gondola is quite pleasant and in line with other food venues throughout the Ski Amade area. Think small with nowhere to go for the most part.
Dorf Gastein is small with lots of kids and lines. Some tree skiing, some off-piste. Saw the most kids here, no problem with them since they were in classes. It was the most crowded of the three areas.
Stayed at the Hotel Astoria, foos and lodging were good to fantastic. Prices on house wine terrific. Limited internet access, 1 pay terminal. In town Cafe Rock is the only place with WLan acces available to the general public.
As said minimal Apres Ski, and I do mean minimal. There are enough venues if you have enough friends for a party. Do not go there expecting one.
Living in Austria now for the next three years, originally from State. Was a US based instructor for over 20 years. That said the skiing is different from the US, Canadian, or French Mega resorts. That is most of the runs are above tree line, and what looks like good decents are not developed. Expect crowds at most lifts. Food is good through out Austria, keep in mind most of the food is fried however.
Other areas worth considering (if you get bored or restless) on the Ski Amade include Flachau, Zauchensee, Wagrain and Alpendorf. All are within a 45 minute drive max from Bad Hofgastein.
All in all a very good area in Austria to ski.
January 18, 2009
G. Gibson from
United Kingdom
G. Gibson from
United Kingdom
Great weeks skiing in the Gastein Valley. Stayed at the Palace Hotel in Bad Hofgastein; highly recommended. Unlimited free drinks with dinner (has a small bar area where you serve yourself with beer, wine, soft drinks or just plain old water). The breakfast and dinner are buffet style every day. You can help yourself to as much as you like with a selection of dishes available (no more sitting in the restaurant waiting for your 7 courses of nouvelle cuisine for 3 hours and still feeling hungry at the end).
The ski bus stops directly outside the hotel, and drops you in the centre where the schlossalmbahn is situated. Here you can either change buses for Dorfgastein, Bad Gastein or Sport Gastein or stay on board to go too the skizentrum at Angertal.
Not much in the way of beginners pistes, more geared to intermediates, with apparently the longest run in the Eastern Alps: red 1 from Hohe Scharte all the way back down to the bus station at Schlossalm.
Dorf Gastein has the best selection of runs, however, on occasions the grooming of the pistes was below par, especially after a moderate snowfall on Wednesday. The pistes, the following day, resembled mogul fields, I know it's difficult in this situation, but not one machine was spotted around the Angertal/Bad Hofgastein area, unlike the Stubai valley where, in similar circumstances, the piste machines were out 5 abreast attempting at least to make a difference.
There seems to be some confusion between the blues and reds; some of the reds are easily blues, where as some of the blues, although not too steep, were barely 8ft wide in places, not much confidence if you are a beginner.
All in, a great area which, if you have transport, is part of the vast ski amade lift pass area.
Go on give it a go, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Nearest