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    Austria, Europe · Ski amadé

    Gastein

    200km of pistes across four ski areas in Salzburgerland. Home to one of Austria's longest runs at 10.4km vertical.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    28 Nov 2025
    Closes
    5 Apr 2026
    Days open
    128
    Annual snow
    4m
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    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.

    1440m
    Vertical
    77
    Runs
    83 km
    Piste
    4m
    Annual snow
    Ski amadé
    Pass
    Watch

    See Gastein in motion

    The Terrain

    77 runs across 83 km of piste

    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.

    Terrain split
    77
    runs
    77 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner28 runs · 37%
    Intermediate46 runs · 60%
    Advanced2 runs · 3%
    Expert0 runs · 0%
    Time it right

    When to visit Gastein

    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.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    28 Nov 2025
    Opens
    5 Apr 2026
    Closes
    128
    Days open
    4 m
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Gastein, and where to stay

    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.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Gastein, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

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    Gastein Lift Tickets

    Gastein lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Gastein closed on Apr 5, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from €20, with peak rates up to €63.

    Ski amadé10 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Adult Full Day

    €51up to €63 peak

    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 pass
    Youth 15–18

    Youth Full Day

    €40up to €50 peak

    Youth 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 pass
    Child 6–14

    Child Full Day

    €26up to €32 peak

    Children'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 pass
    Child 0–5

    Child (5 & Under)

    Free

    Free 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 pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior Full Day

    €40up to €50 peak

    Senior lift ticket for Gastein ski areas. Discounted access to Austrian Alps skiing with comfortable lifts and scenic mountain restaurants across three areas.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Graukogel Day Pass

    €32up to €40 peak

    Graukogel-only day pass at Gastein for natural snow skiing. Austrian off-piste experience with 14 kilometers of challenging terrain for advanced skiers.

    Buy pass
    Youth 6–18

    Junior Weekend Bonus

    €20up to €25 peak

    Special weekend rates for youth and children at Gastein. Discounted Ski amadé access on Saturdays and Sundays throughout Austrian ski season.

    Buy pass

    Half-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Hour Ticket (4 Hours)

    €42up to €52 peak

    Four-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 pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Multi-Day (6-Day)

    €255up to €315 peak

    Six-day ski pass for extended Gastein vacation with Ski amadé access. Save on daily rates while exploring 85 kilometers of Austrian Alpine terrain.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 19–64

    Ski amadé Season Pass

    €689

    Unlimited 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 pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Gastein day pass cost?+
    Gastein day passes range from €20 to €63 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Gastein lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Gastein lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Gastein, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Gastein lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Gastein - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Gastein lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Gastein offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Gastein directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Gastein.

    More Gastein intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.