The Overview
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
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Gastein, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
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Doppelmayr Group Posts 9.1% Revenue Growth in 2025/26, Passing 1.3 Billion Euros
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Hintertux Glacier Replaces 40-Year-Old Gondola to Tuxer Fernerhaus
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16 Sept 2026
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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4 Sept 2026
Gastein Webcams
9 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Gastein's live webcams
Check live conditions across Gastein with 9 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Stubnerkogel mountain station II2233m
- The stubnerkogel webcam offers spectacular views from the summit station, where you can monitor conditions on the challenging high-alpine terrain. Watch as skiers tackle the varied runs while taking in panoramic views of Bad Gastein's historic spa town below.
- Bad Hofgastein Schlossalm2051m
- The schlossalm webcam showcases the extensive intermediate terrain and perfectly groomed slopes of the Schlossalm area. Monitor snow conditions and lift operations while enjoying views stretching across the Hohe Tauern mountains.
- Angertal ski center1211m
- The angertal webcam provides a perfect view of this central hub where multiple ski areas converge. Watch as skiers access the connecting lifts and enjoy the sunny slopes of this family-friendly zone.
- Bad Hofgastein Schlossalm Weitmoser1935m
- From the Weitmoser area, this bad hofgastein webcam captures the heart of the resort's intermediate terrain. Monitor conditions on the popular blue runs and watch skiers carving their way down the well-maintained slopes.
- Dorfgastein Fulseck mountain station2033m
- Positioned at the Fulseck summit, this webcam overlooks the diverse terrain of Dorfgastein, showing both challenging slopes and gentle learning areas below.
- Bad Gastein Stubnerkogel Snowpark1800m
- The stubnerkogel webcam at the snowpark lets you check conditions at this popular freestyle zone. Watch riders hitting the jumps and rails while enjoying views of the surrounding peaks.
- Sportgastein Kreuzkogel2605m
- The webcam sportgastein at Kreuzkogel offers stunning views from the highest point in the ski area. Monitor conditions on the high-alpine terrain and watch as advanced skiers tackle the challenging slopes.
- Graukogel mountain station2005m
- From the historic Graukogel area, this webcam provides views of the resort's more traditional skiing terrain, perfect for watching skiers on these classic Alpine runs.
- Bad Gastein 360°1211m
- This panoramic webcam delivers sweeping views of the entire valley, from the Belle Époque architecture of Bad Gastein to the surrounding peaks and waterfalls that make this resort unique.
Gastein snow cams FAQ
How often do Gastein snow cams update?
All Gastein snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Gastein.
Which Gastein webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Sportgastein Kreuzkogel webcam at 2,605m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Gastein webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Gastein lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Gastein snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Gastein snow cams?
Check Gastein webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Gastein lift tickets?
Use our Gastein webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Gastein webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Gastein snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Gastein intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.