Gastein Valley
Bad Gastein / Bad Hofgastein
The Gastein valley isn’t widely known internationally. It deserves better: its slopes are impressively extensive, and mainly quite challenging – great for intermediates who are happy on real red runs. But the place doesn’t cater properly for air-package holiday makers without a car. With five mountains, of which only two are linked, the valley really needs an efficient bus service instead of the current token offering.
With its grand hotels, trinket shops and cramped gorge-like setting, central Bad Gastein itself is a far cry from your standard chalet-style Austrian village. But staying above the center near the lifts offers a more normal winter sports experience, and both Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein, respectively a few miles and a few more miles down the valley, are equally well worth considering as a base.
To make the most of the valley you need a car. With five spread out mountains, of which only two are linked, the valley needs a first class public transport system, and it doesn’t have one – traveling from end of the valley to the other can take over an hour and may involve a couple of changes.