The 10 Best Things to Do in Bad Gastein in Winter
Later in this post I share a few affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase, at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support!
I’ve been wanting to visit Bad Gastein for the longest time, but I could never get a read on the destination.
Some described it as a past-its-prime spa resort town, while others referenced this fact only to highlight its contemporary renewal as a haven for the creative class.
So which was it?
AND WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO THERE DURING A LONG WEEKEND IN JANUARY?
What I found was a mountain town fully embraced by experienced skiers from all over Europe.
A town in the midst of a hotel renaissance, where new openings were attracting young travelers from Vienna, Berlin, and Munich.
And a spa town still proud of its radon-enriched waters, where wellness was very much more than just a buzzword.
THE MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT BAD GASTEIN IS THAT IT’S VERY MUCH IN THE MIDST OF A REVITALIZATION.
The progress is still on-going, but the natural setting and wealth of things to do make this a place to seek out.
It’s not the Swiss Alps or the Dolomites, but that’s the point — this gateway to the High Tauern mountains is a true trending destination, and one you should seek out!
And if you go there in the colder months, here are the ten best things to do in Bad Gastein in winter.
The 10 Best Things to Do in Bad Gastein in Winter
No. 1: Learn to Ski in Bad Gastein
Beginner skiers should head to the Angertal area, which functions as the valley’s primary learning zone due to its wide, gently graded slopes and consistent snow conditions.
MANY SKI SCHOOLS BASE THEIR BEGINNER LESSONS HERE.
Stubnerkogel is also home to ski schools, but the training terrain is rather flat and only appropriate for pure beginners.
Plus, the surrounding runs aren’t great for beginners — after taking a lesson on Stubnerkogel, you’ll have to take the cable car to the top of the mountain, and then travel down to the Angertal area.
This was our experience, and my advice is to just cut out the transfer time (painful in ski boots!) and just begin and end your day in Angertal.
No. 2: Or, Ski Bad Gastein's Intermediate and Advanced Slopes
Intermediate and advanced skiers will enjoy Bad Gastein’s vertical drops and sustained runs, particularly on Schlossalm and the upper sections of Stubnerkogel.
THE ELEVATION HERE ALLOWS FOR LONGER, UNINTERRUPTED SKIING.
For advanced skiers seeking steeper terrain and more reliable snow coverage, Sportgastein offers a higher-alpine alternative at the end of the valley.
One great thing about Bad Gastein is that it’s not big on après-ski, so lifts are efficient and rarely experience congestion.
No. 3: Try out Biathlon in Bad Hofgastein
Groomed ski tracks for cross country skiing, one half of the winter sport biathlon.
A laser shooting range allows skiers to practice target shooting, the second half of biathlon.
BIATHLON HAS DEEP ROOTS IN ALPINE COUNTRIES AS BOTH A MILITARY TRAINING DISCIPLINE AND A CIVILIAN SPORT.
In the Gastein Valley, this tradition continues through programs organized by the Langlauf-Sportschule Gastein.
On most Fridays, visitors can participate in biathlon training that combines cross-country skiing with precision laser shooting.
The cross-country trails in Gastein are well suited to the flat valley floor, and the surrounding scenery is unbeatable.
I had been wanting to try cross-country skiing for years now, and this was such a fun way to both learn the basics and dip my toes in the sport of biathlon.
No. 4: Go for a Winter Hike or Snowshoe Walk
For those who aren’t into skiing, going for a winter hike or snowshoe walk is a great way to enjoy the winter landscapes.
THANKS TO BAD GASTEIN’S LONG HISTORY OF SPA AND HEALTH TOURISM, MANY WALKING ROUTES WERE ESTABLISHED FOR GUESTS SEEKING ALTITUDE AIR THERAPY AND GENTLE EXERCISE.
Today, these paths are well-maintained for winter use, allowing non-skiers to easily access forested slopes and scenic viewpoints.
Snowshoe routes are found in the Angertal, on the Fulseck and on the Graukogel Angertal, and there are even guided snowshoe hikes organized weekly.
No. 5: Enjoy the View from the Top of the Stubnerkogel
The Stubnerkogel Hängebrücke, or suspension bridge, sits at 2300 meters and is open year round.
The observation deck on the top of the Stubnerkogel is a great spot for taking in breathtaking mountain views.
For spectacular views of snow-capped High Tauern mountains, take the cable car to the top of the Stubnerkogel.
THE STUBNERKOGEL ISN’T THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN THE AREA.
It sits at 2,246 meters, in a range where several mountains exceed 3,000 meters, including Großglockner, Austria’s highest peak.
But the Stubnerkogel is one of the most accessible, with infrastructure for both hikers and skiers.
At the summit, the Glocknerblick viewing platform is positioned for the best views of the Hohe Tauern range, including views toward the Großglockner.
THE NEARBY SUSPENSION BRIDGE ADDS EVEN MORE MOUNTAIN ACCESS FOR NON-SKIERS AND IS OPEN EVEN IN WINTER.
It’s a very cool way to cross the mountains, but it is not for the faint of heart or those who, like me, are a bit scared of heights.
No. 6: Relax with the Radon Cure at Bad Gastein’s Thermal Spas
Our hotel, the cōmodo, had radon-rich water at its spa facilities
BAD GASTEIN’S SPA CULTURE PREDATES ITS SKI INFRASTRUCTURE BY CENTURIES.
The town’s thermal waters contain naturally occurring radon gas, which has historically been used to treat inflammatory and respiratory conditions.
The Felsentherme Bad Gastein combines indoor and outdoor thermal pools to provide access to these waters in a modern setting.
MANY LOCAL HOTELS INCORPORATE THE WATERS INTO THEIR SPA FACILITIES, AS WELL.
We stayed at the cōmodo hotel, and their pool and saunas used these radon-infused waters, and I can honestly say that we felt so relaxed after our time in the spa.
No. 7: Ride a Chair Lift to Dine at an Austrian Berghütte
The Bellevue Alm chairlift transporting guests.
The restaurant has a hearth style fire at its center.
Austria’s landscape is dotted with countless bergütte, or mountain huts, and in ski towns like Bad Gastein, many have evolved into restaurants and hotels.
Unfortunately, many are inaccessible via roadways in winter due to heavy snow and ice on steep, winding mountain roads.
CHAIR LIFTS SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, TRANSPORTING GUESTS TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT USING ROADS.
The MONDI Bellevue Alm Gastein restaurant is one such example, and the ride up to dinner on a single-person chairlift is one of the most charming ways to arrive at dinner.
No. 8: Admire Architecture from the Kaiser Wilhelm Promendade
The Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade is great for strolling.
Along the way, pop into Café Schuh for cake and coffee.
The city’s architecture represents multiple eras and movements, but the valley terrain can make it difficult to see them all in one view.
THE SOLUTION?
Find higher ground along the Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade, a pedestrian walkway that sits above the main motorway on the eastern side of the valley.
From here, you can see the Brutalist Congress Center, erected in the 1970s to attract conferences to the flailing resort town.
There’s a wealth of Belle Epoque examples, like the Grand Hotel de l'Europe, which was built in the early 1900s and welcomed the likes of Liza Minelli and Charles Aznavour in its heyday.
No. 9: Photograph the Town’s Iconic Waterfall
A view of the waterfall from Kötschachtaler Strasse.
And a view further downstream, from Straubingerplatz.
The Bad Gastein Waterfall cuts through the town’s center, an iconic symbol of its healing waters.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE VIEWING SPOTS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR GREAT PHOTOS OF THE WATERFALL.
Just in front of the Straubinger Hotel on Straubingerplatz, you’ll get a fantastic view of the middle portion of the waterfall.
Further north, on Kötschachtaler Strasse, you’ll see the top portion of the waterfall, which is a little less voluminous than the middle.
Hiking down the Wasserfallweg and crossing the Grabenbäckerbrücke will allow you to see the waterfall's powerful denouement.
No. 10: Shop Bad Gastein’s Top Boutiques
Bad Gastein doesn’t have the luxury boutiques that are in Cortina d’Ampezzo or St. Moritz.
INSTEAD, YOU’LL FIND LOCAL SHOPS WITH THEIR OWN CHARACTER AND UNIQUE MERCHANDISE.
Wally Badgastein is a fashion concept store helmed by an interior stylist from Vienna.
It’s best for finding pieces by niche knitwear labels like Lena Hoschek and SMINFINITY, as well as home accessories.
Zapf Collection has more than a century of history, first as a hatmaker, and now as a clothing boutique offering modern takes on Tracht, or traditional garments in German-speaking countries.
And KWP Concept Store rounds out the town’s shopping scene with a curated selection of fashion, homewares, and specialty food products, emphasizing European design and quality rather than mass appeal.
Conclusion
WHAT I LOVED MOST ABOUT BAD GASTEIN, THOUGH, WAS HOW IT DELIVERS AS A DESTINATION.
The radon-rich waters were a highlight for us, leaving us relaxed and a bit, dare I say, tingly, hours after our spa visit.
Experiencing the snowy scenery was easy and varied — whether while skiing, trying out biathlon, or strolling the Kaiser Wilhelm Promenade.
And the novelty of taking a chairlift to dinner, or hearing the roar of the waterfall while walking through town, made this a distinct experience unique to Bad Gastein.
THIS IS A SPECIAL PLACE, AND IT TRULY SHINES IN WINTER.
Until next time,
Angela
YOU’LL ALSO LOVE…