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Bad Hofgastein Ski Resort
This stunning location is considered somewhat of a “secret resort” and locals describe it as the “hidden gem” of Austria. Bad Hofgastein is a beautiful market town and world-renowned spa destination in one of Austria’s largest and highest ski areas with a tight-knit winter sports and spa community.
The resort itself is a traditional, chocolate-box Austrian town that is perfect for a peaceful and relaxing ski break. Visitors find it charmingly welcoming and the historic décor of the area is very easy to fall in love with. The town remains true to its early 20th century design and while this is very attractive it means the roads are narrow and can become fairly busy- so if possible, travel on foot. Bad Hofgastein is predominately famed for its spa facilities, with 145,000 visitors per year. Frequented by the rich and famous in the early 20th century, it became known as “The Spa of Diplomats” as grand-scale European politics took place here. The resort has an exclusive feel but is very reasonably priced and you’ll feel you’ve got a lot for your money.
It wasn’t until the late 20th century with the construction of the Tauren rail system that the town became accessible to outside communities and an increasingly popular winter sports destination. In 1945 the ski lift system was built and town became a highly esteemed ski resort that is hugely popular with the locals! One of the fantastic things about Bad Hofgastein is that it has connections to Bad Gastein, Dorfgastein, Graukogel and Sportsgastein, which gives skiers access to over 250km of slopes for a wonderfully varied ski break!
With plenty of attractions, outstanding accommodation and great eateries to choose from alongside the spa and world class skiing, Bad Hofgastein is the perfect place to book a ski break.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Austria Alps.
Established: 1945
Open: December- April
Downhill: 96km
View our detailed Bad Hofgastein snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Bad Hofgastein snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Salzburg | 1hr 45mins |
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| Top Altitude: | 2295m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 859m |
| Resort Altitude: | 859m |
| Longest run: | 11km |
| Slope Orientation: | NSEW |
| Vertical Drop: | 1442m |
| Skiable Vertical: | 1442m |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | Yes |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 96km |
| Beginner slopes: | 36% |
| Intermediate: | 57% |
| Advanced slopes: | 7% |
| Lift Pass Price: | € 227.00 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Bad Gastein, Dorfhofgastein, Alpendorf, St Johann | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Bad Hofgastein
The skiing is considered world class - as the largest resort in The Gastein Valley, with access to four other ski resorts, you’ll find hugely varied terrain here. There are slopes to suit everyone and over the course of your ski break there will be no need to ski the same slope twice! The runs range from gentle slopes for lower level intermediates to very challenging descents that will get even the most seasoned skier excited. There is an efficient and modern lift system and the icing on the cake is access to the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps - 8.4km long Pasterze.
Beginners may feel a bit overwhelmed by the ski area but if you learn to ski here, you’ll be conquering other resorts in no time! There are some great ski schools and you can find your feet on the nursery slopes before tackling some of the easier blues. Take the Hohe Scharte chairlift and you’ll find an excellent run that connects to further blues on the other side of the mountain.
This is an excellent resort for intermediates who will find a playground of exhilarating blue and red pistes to explore. For a challenge, get the lift up to Kleine Scharte for a long descent to the bottom of the mountain.
Advanced skiers will find challenging black runs on the Stubnerkogel and a tantalisingly steep slope from the top of the Angertal valley. With powdery off-piste on the Kruzogel, access to glacier skiing, plenty of cross country and four other resorts within easy reach there’s plenty to discover!
The area held in high esteem for snowboarders and regularly hosts the Snowboarding World Cup. The slopes are suited to boarders with a variety of terrain and an excellent snow park, with enough obstacles to satisfy even professional ‘boarders.
Bad Hofgastein Apres Ski
While the après here is fairly quiet compared to other “party resorts” it’s considered the best town in the Gastein Valley for nightlife. Piccolo is a popular après ski bar based in the centre of town – after braving a few tequilas you’ll spend all night dancing on tables to retro classics. If dancing on tables sounds a bit energetic after a day on the slopes, Kamunbar is perfect for a more relaxed evening enjoying a drink accompanied by live music. Head to Vision for the ultimate night out that’ll leave you longing for a healing spa treatment the next morning; this unique bar set in a dark cave-like building holds excellent discos, for an unforgettable night out.
There are some wonderful places to eat out, whether you fancy a quick snack or a slap up evening meal. Refuel on delicious pizza at Pizzeria in the town centre, which has great wine and beer menu at a very reasonable price. One of the most highly recommended restaurants is Kraut und Ruben, a vegetarian restaurant. It’s stylishly decorated and you’ll appreciate the exquisite food here whether you’re a vegetarian or not!
Bad Hofgastein has a longstanding spa heritage and as a result has developed some unique après ski. The majority of hotels have underground tunnels connecting you a huge thermal spa resort. Here you can enjoy relaxing treatments, swim and sample some delicious food! This really is the perfect place to sooth your aching muscles after a day on the slopes as it’s famed for its rehabilitation for sports injuries.
There are a number of non-ski activities including ice skating, sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice curling, snow shoeing and snow cycling. There is also a fantastic multimedia adventure dome with thrilling water slides and a glass sky bar.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Bad Hofgastein
Best time to visit & ski Bad Hofgastein
Bad Hofgastein is a versatile resort that’s great for a ski break throughout most of the season. The ski area enjoys a top altitude of 2295m offering snow sure skiing for the majority of the season. Its slopes face in all directions which is great for consistently good quality snow. The weather is warmer at the end of the season so you can enjoy some sunshine after a morning ski and the resort tends to be quieter at this time of year so you can enjoy some peaceful and empty slopes. There is excellent snow making technology with 300 snow cannons that can top up the pistes anytime this snow is a bit sparse.
Peak Dates
Christmas in Bad Hofgastein is a magical time when the town celebrates each day of advent with a different festive event. The snow conditions are wonderful and you can celebrate Christmas day with some excellent quality skiing. Bad Hofgastein Christmas ski holidays ‣
New Year at Bad Hofgastein is the ideal time and place for a ski break with friends and family. There are some great bars to celebrate the New Year in or you can head to the outdoor street party for live music and fireworks. Bad Hofgastein New Year ski holidays ‣
Half Term in Bad Hofgastein is one of the most popular weeks for a skiing holiday. The skiing is at an all-time high and you can be sure to have a great time on the slopes. There are great ski schools for all ages and some fantastic non-ski activities for the whole. Bad Hofgastein Half Term ski holidays ‣
If you fancy a late season ski break with plenty of sunshine, visit Bad Hofgastein at Easter is ideal for you! The high altitude and snowmaking technology means the skiing is still excellent! There are some great activities, the most popular being a visit from the Easter Bunny! Bad Hofgastein Easter ski holidays ‣
Families in Bad Hofgastein
Bad Hofgastein is a lovely destination for a family ski holiday, especially if you are a group of already established skiers. There is access to 250km of slopes across The Gastein Valley so there is plenty of family skiing fun to be had! The area has some good ski schools that will accommodate for all ages and children’s lifts make for child-friendly access to the slopes. There is also a kids land on the slopes which separates children from the rest of the skiers for safer skiing. The ski schools also offer childcare facilities as do some of the hotels so you are able to leave your little ones in capable hands whilst you tackle some of the more challenging slopes.
The resorts renowned spa has wonderful family friendly facilities and welcomes children with great things for them to do. There is even a children’s relaxation pool with a cinema screen playing movies! There are plenty of other non-ski activities for the whole family to enjoy with the multimedia adventure dome well worth a visit! The kid’s pool has fun wave rides for kids in one of the many pools in the venue. It is really well suited to families, with thrilling water slides and a beautiful sky bar to have a drink in; it will become a real family favourite!
One of the most popular places on the slopes for families is the excellent snow park, a short lift ride away from Bad Hofgastein. There is a lovely family section with music and fun obstacles for your children to practise their free style tricks on! Alongside this you’ll find a merry-go-round, adventure course and a fun playground.
There are some beautiful hotels in the area that accommodate for all family needs. Remember if you are travelling with small children to enquire about childcare, adjoining rooms and cribs. Hotel Österreichischerhof is an excellent family friendly hotel in a perfect location - just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre and the slopes.
GroupsGroup Holidays Bad Hofgastein
Bad Hofgastein is a wonderful place for a group ski holiday and groups of skiers are beginning to explore the previously undiscovered resort. It is most suited to a group of intermediate skiers who can make the most of the great connections the resort has to The Gastein Valley. What makes this place superb for a group is that there is plenty of varied terrain in the vicinity meaning that beginners can stay close to the resort and more advanced members of the group can explore the 250km of ski slopes . There is some good apes ski in the town so everyone can have as much fun off the slopes as well as on them! Piccolo bar is a very popular venue and is great for a group looking to dance the night away to some cheesy (but so good) retro classics. There are a number of superb bars and restaurants more suitable to a quieter night out such as Kamun bar which is ideal for a relaxing drink after a day on the slopes.
One of the beauties of this resort is that you don’t even have to do any skiing to have an amazing holiday – the spa facilities are so vast that you need a week to explore them all! This makes the resort perfect for a group that has non-skiers with them who will find plenty to do whilst the others are on the slopes!
It is important that you find accommodation that will suit your group travelling needs and our Bad Hofgastein hotels can be ideal for groups. Your meals are usually catered for leaving you to be able to fully relax in large lounge areas and enjoy good company. Hotel Alpine-Wellness is a fantastic option for groups – it’s in a great location within a few minutes’ walk to the town centre and a bus stop outside.
Which are the best ski holidays in Bad Hofgastein?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesbad Hotel Palace | 7 | £ 808 |
| Impuls Hotel Tyrol | 7 | £ 866 |
| Hotel Österreichischerhof | 7 | £ 889 |
| Hotel Norica | 7 | £ 1072 |
| Hotel Rauscher & Paracelsus | 7 | £ 524 |
| Sonnenhotel Zum Stern | 7 | £ 813 |
| Appartementhaus Aurora | 7 | £ 517 |
| Hotel BLÜ | 7 | £ 760 |
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