
200km of pistes across four ski areas in Salzburgerland. Home to one of Austria's longest runs at 10.4km vertical.
Gastein spans four ski areas across the Gasteinertal - Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel, Sportgastein, Graukogel and Dorfgastein-Großarltal - delivering over 200 kilometres of pistes served by 50 lifts. Elevations reach from 860 metres at valley level to 2,686 metres at Sportgastein's Kreuzkogel summit, the highest point in Ski amadé. The Hohe Scharte Nord run on Schlossalm ranks among the longest descents in the Eastern Alps at 10.4 kilometres with 1,440 metres of vertical drop.
Terrain splits roughly 30 per cent beginner, 55 per cent intermediate and 15 per cent advanced across the combined areas. The main Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel circuit carries predominantly red runs with wide, well-groomed pistes linking Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein. Sportgastein draws freeriders with three designated off-piste routes and reliable powder conditions at high altitude.
The Belle Époque spa town of Bad Gastein provides a distinctive contrast to typical Austrian ski villages, with grand historic hotels cascading down steep valley slopes and a dramatic waterfall running through the centre. Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein and Felsentherme in Bad Gastein both tap mineral-rich thermal waters heated to 46°C. The 140-metre suspension bridge atop Stubnerkogel and Glocknerblick viewing platform add non-skiing attractions.
Multi-day passes unlock the entire Ski amadé network spanning 760 kilometres across five regions including Hochkönig and Schladming-Dachstein. Free ski buses connect the valley's dispersed lift bases at 15 to 20-minute intervals. The resort suits intermediate skiers seeking variety without crowds, families drawn to Angertal's dedicated learning zones, and powder seekers heading to Sportgastein's alpine terrain.
Gastein spreads 77 runs across 83 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 60%, with 28 beginner runs to find your feet and 2 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Gastein's 2025-26 season launches 28 November with partial operations on Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel, expanding to full service from early December. Dorfgastein-Großarltal opens 5 December and Sportgastein follows 12 December. The season extends through early April on the main circuit, with Sportgastein's high-altitude terrain often holding snow into late April or early May.
Sportgastein sits between 1,584 and 2,650 metres, delivering average summit snow depths around 170 centimetres through the season with February peaks near 200 centimetres. The main Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel area benefits from extensive snowmaking covering 85 per cent of runs, backed by that 150,000 cubic metre reservoir installed during the 2018 rebuild.
February typically delivers the most consistent snow with around 4 to 5 snowy days per week at higher elevations. January offers the most sun - averaging 18 clear days - while December provides quieter slopes before holiday crowds arrive. March and April bring spring skiing with longer days and softer afternoon snow on south-facing aspects.
The open-air Gastein Sounds festival marks season opening weekend in December with concerts at the Schlossalm valley station. The North race in late March challenges participants on the Hohe Scharte Nord run with 1,440 metres of vertical descent in a timed super-G format. Sound & Snow events bring headline acts throughout winter.
The Gasteinertal runs approximately 40 kilometres through the Hohe Tauern mountain range in Salzburgerland, Austria, with three main villages - Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein - strung along the valley floor. Bad Gastein sits at around 1,000 metres elevation on dramatic steep slopes, while Bad Hofgastein occupies flatter terrain at 860 metres. The valley terminates at Sportgastein beneath 3,000-metre peaks marking the edge of Hohe Tauern National Park.
Salzburg lies 90 kilometres north, accessible via the A10 Tauern motorway with the Gasteinertal exit near Bischofshofen. St Johann im Pongau sits at the valley entrance roughly 16 kilometres from Dorfgastein. The thermal spa heritage dates to the 19th century when Bad Gastein's mineral waters drew European nobility - the town's grand hotels and waterfall retain that Belle Époque character.
From Salzburg, drivers follow the A10 south toward the Tauern Tunnel, exiting before Bischofshofen onto the B167 through St Johann im Pongau and into the valley. The drive takes approximately 75 minutes in good conditions. From Munich, count on 2.5 hours via Salzburg. Access from the south runs through Mallnitz using the car-train shuttle through the Tauern railway tunnel.
Salzburg Airport sits 80 kilometres away, roughly 90 minutes by road or direct train. ÖBB Railjet services run hourly to Bad Gastein station, which connects directly to the Stubnerkogelbahn valley station and Felsentherme thermal spa via an elevated walkway. Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein also have railway stations. Free ski buses link all lift bases throughout the valley.
Hotels and lodges near Gastein, powered by Stay22.

Firefighters saved every base building at Maverick Mountain, Montana, but the resort's sole chairlift didn't survive the Sand Creek Fire. Owners Erik and Kristi Borge say the lift is "most likely" out for the 2026/27 season after flames tore through the mountain on August 8. The wildfire has since grown past 27,700 acres with zero percent containment. It's a gutting result for the tiny, one-lift operation near Dillon - though the lodge, groomers and equipment all made it through untouched.

Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.

South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.

Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.

La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.

The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.

Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.

Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
Full day skiing at Gastein in Austria's Ski amadé area. Access to Schlossalm, Stubnerkogel, and Sportgastein with 85 kilometers of pristine Alpine slopes.
Buy passYouth daily ticket for Gastein ski areas in Austria. Perfect for teens to experience Ski amadé slopes with access to three distinct mountain areas near Salzburg.
Buy passChildren's lift ticket at Gastein with family-friendly terrain across three ski areas. Austrian Alps skiing perfect for young learners in Ski amadé region.
Buy passFree skiing for children 5 and under at Gastein. Complimentary access to Austria's Ski amadé network with gentle slopes perfect for first-time skiers.
Buy passSenior lift ticket for Gastein ski areas. Discounted access to Austrian Alps skiing with comfortable lifts and scenic mountain restaurants across three areas.
Buy passGraukogel-only day pass at Gastein for natural snow skiing. Austrian off-piste experience with 14 kilometers of challenging terrain for advanced skiers.
Buy passSpecial weekend rates for youth and children at Gastein. Discounted Ski amadé access on Saturdays and Sundays throughout Austrian ski season.
Buy passFour-hour flexible skiing at Gastein with choice of start time. Perfect for half-day visits to Austrian Alps with access to all Ski amadé lifts.
Buy passSix-day ski pass for extended Gastein vacation with Ski amadé access. Save on daily rates while exploring 85 kilometers of Austrian Alpine terrain.
Buy passUnlimited access to Gastein and 25 ski areas in Ski amadé network. Austria's largest ski alliance with 760 kilometers of slopes and 270 lifts.
Buy passDay passes start from €20, with peak rates up to €63.
More Gastein intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.