 Poster: A snowHead
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My wife and I would like to visit Austria this year. We were really looking at Saalbach-Hinterglemm but finding accomadations when we can visit seems increasingly problematic. Bad Gastein has been suggested and it looks interesting. Certainly a different atmosphere than most ski resorts but we think it would be a very interesting experience. Questions:
We're relatively new to skiing. We were comfortable on all the blues (intermediate) we skied in Utah last year (The Canyons, Deer Valley, Alta). Would we be comfortable on the Reds at Bad Gastein which we always read are relatively challenging reds?
Always read mixed reviews of the local bus system. Any first hand reports if we want to go down to Dorfgastein for a day or two?
The hotel we'ere looking most closely at is Hotel Weismayr? Looks centrally located and considerably less expensive than the Salsburger Hof (which also looks good). Any suggestions for nice, well-placed hotels? Any other hotel recommendations?
Many Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi RISkier, we went to Bad Hofgastein last year and thoroughly enjoyed it - especially nice not to hear too many English voices around!
I haven't skied in Utah but I would have thought the reds at Gastein would not be too difficult for you. I was OK on them and I'm fine on all blues in Lake Louise/Sunshine (my only North American ski experience!). Some are obviously more difficult than others but there was nothing that was Ohmigod!
The bus service was pretty good and efficient - staying at Bad Hofgastein we were in the middle of Bad Gastein and Dorfgastein so didn't have quite so much changing etc to do to go to either resort. If I remember correctly you will have to change at Bad Hofgastein to go on down to Dorfgastein. I enjoyed it at Dorfgastein - well worth the visit and I think the runs were a bit easier there.
Can't comment on the hotels, sorry.
Some further info on this previous thread here:
http://www.snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=83399&highlight=gastein#83399
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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RISkier, take a serious look at staying in less famous Bad Hofgastein, as Cathy suggests, which is very different (on the flat of the valley, rather than being tucked into a steeper valley) but also has a very nice public spa as I recall. You'd still have easy access to Badgastein, and Bad Hofgastein has some nice mellow slopes.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The Gastein area as a whole is pretty good, altho fragmented. Not the best for absolute beginners or snowboarders (too many flattish cat-tracks about) but v good for intermediate skiers.
There are basically 4 areas, the two main ones are: Schlossalm/Stubnerkogel which is easily accessed from both BadG and BadHofG; and the area above DorfG down the valley. The two smaller areas (Graukogel and SportGastein) ironically have the best advanced skiing, but are at the head of the valley at the opposite end to DorfG.
The best location for access to the main areas is BadHofG, as there was/is no direct bus from BadG to the DorfG lifts (only goes to DorfG itself). When we stayed in BadG we just got cabs to DorfG, rather than mess about changing buses. On the other hand getting to the two smaller areas from BadHofG would be a pain.
I can't comment on hotels or apres in BadHofG but there are several lively bars in BadG. We stayed in a chalet-hotel with Ski Miquel, which was pretty good, but there are plenty more luxurious hotel options. Huge spa complex with pools, outdoor jacuzzis etc, and a casino add to the BadG apres options.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I stayed in Bad Gastein about 5 years ago but my hotel was right at the top of the village near the train station which was quite a walk from the village. Unless the Hotel Krona has been refurbished I wouldn't hurry back there. It was supposed to be a 3* but had seen better days. But the location for the lifts was ok as we were just across the road to the lift station. We had to cross the railway first and about a 4 min walk. This station appeared to be a main FR8 artery to Italy as it was busy most of the night. If you could find alternative accom in this area it would be ok. The main village is down the hill and quite a walk which isolated us a bit. The resort is an old Spa town and has some old hotels which have scrubbed up ok with some investment. The village has charm and character which is just as well as it was not designed with skiers in mind. I don't know about the buses as I never used them but I would think they would be a must if you stayed down the hill in the centre.
The skiing is very good and for that reason I would consider going back. It is a good area for blues and reds as far as I can remember. There are 4 areas, I think, but the main two are Bad G' and Bad HofG'. The latter is lower and looked a better bet as it appeared to be on flatter terrian.
If you want to go to Austria for reds and blues, then add the Ski welt and Soll to your list. It is quite a small but lively resort and even the lifts are walkable IMO
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Or better still, Ischgl which must be one of Austria's top resorts. It has height and milage and it is so popular with the Germans that Brits have to pay a lot of money to stay there.
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I skied there last year and agree with the above comments about the spread out nature of the skiing which requires a bit of travel to Sportgastein and Dorfgastein. It is mainly intermediate and BD is connected ( lifts system ) to HBD.
I stayed at the Hotel Wildbad ( www.hotel-wildbad.com ) which was one of the best ski hotels I have stayed in - highly recommended. It is just above the village and it a steep walk. It is a short distance to the lift station - another 5 minutes and above it again. The resort is not the liveliest in Austria but it has a number of bars and clubs with live music. It is more of a town than a traditional ski resort and is famous for its spa facilities.
Excellent walking singned areas in the Hohe Tauren mountains. Check out the village interactive map on http://www.gastein.com/en-region-interactive.shtml
It is certainly somewhere I would return to at some point.
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Thanks so much for the helpful information and links. It all looks good. Now if I could just find someone willing to fund a 3-month ski bum trip we'd try it all. Bad Hofgastein does look like it would have some advantages, guess we need to decide if we want to experience the old spa feel of Bad Gastein, or the more typical resort feel of Bad Hofgastein -- the later does look better situated and more convenient for the skiing. Ski Welt looks good too. Decisions, decisions. I think we'll have fun in any of these locations. Thanks again.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I'm sure you'll have fun wherever you decide to go. On a bad weather day we spent time in Bad Gastein - had a totally different feel to it than BHG, seemed strange to see people wandering around with skis over their shoulders as it was like a proper town. But BHG was quite quiet of an evening, BG may be livelier if that is what you would prefer. David Goldsmith is right, BHG has a good public swimming pool/spa.
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BadG is fairly lively, with plenty of bars, some in hotels, but they seem spread about, so there is no real focal area for the boozing. It is good, but it is not St Anton, which may be a plus-point for some.
Another thing: if you go right at the beginning or end of the season, and take a risk with the snow, you want to be as close as possible to SportGastein which is highest area & most snowsure. Which means staying in BadG as there is no accom at SportG itself. The bus ride to SportG takes about 15-20 mins, but do check the timetables.
My fave mountain was Graukogel, which was almost deserted, had the best steep skiing, and was tree-level for low-vis days. Depending on your location in BadG it is an easy flat walk, or an uphill nightmare! Buses do run there, altho somewhat erratically from memory.
One of the best features of the area is the large number of friendly, reasonably-priced mountain restaurants. Much nicer than the over-priced self-service pap you often find up a mountain. A little bit of spoken german goes a long way, as not everyone you encounter will have english.
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