Your Winter Week in Gastein

Before we inspect the slopes, we want to inhale the "Gastein feeling." We start in Bad Gastein, the "Monte Carlo of the Alps." The sight of the imposing buildings clinging to the steep cliffs is stunningly unique in this alpine landscape. We stroll to the famous waterfall directly in the town center – a natural spectacle that enchants in winter with bizarre ice formations.

Vera’s Rental Tip: Arrive, gear up! Get your ski or snowboard equipment as soon as you arrive – while still in "sweatpants mode" – at one of the top sports shops at the valley stations. This saves you the hauling and lets you start the fun directly tomorrow. Gastein offers four ski mountains you’ll want to conquer – it’s great to have your skis ready right after your morning coffee!

Today we’re heading high up! We start in the Schlossalm-Angertal-Stubnerkogel ski link. The absolute highlight up there is a must-see even for winter hikers: the suspension bridge at Stubnerkogel. It is 140 meters long, sways gently in the wind, and offers a phenomenal 360-degree view of the Großglockner and the Hohe Tauern mountains at an airy 2,300 meters above sea level.

After the adrenaline kick on the bridge, we quickly enjoy the freedom of the wide slopes. The opening run into the Angertal is legendary; it gets your circulation going and leaves you wanting more. Pit stop: A savory Kaspressknödelsuppe (pressed cheese dumpling soup) delights the palate and warms the soul.

Today gets sporty – as teased: the name says it all! We head to Sportgastein, the highest ski area in Ski amadé, where we breathe winter air at up to 2,686 meters. With your fat skis, you’ll float down the slopes as if on clouds, because the snow here is usually powdery and dry, even when spring is already greeting the valley.

It’s a paradise for freeride fans, but if you’ve strapped on sharp carvers: you can test your turns like a racer on the groomed slopes, where there is plenty of space for your fast arcs.

Those first two ski days were quite intense, weren't they? After the smooth Saturday when you arrived, your muscles are now starting to ask for relaxation. Your destination couldn't be better suited for this: Gastein is world-famous for its thermal water. But as a Gastein insider, I can hardly decide because I love them both so much...

The Felsentherme in Bad Gastein, spectacularly carved into the rock, or the spacious Alpentherme in Bad Hofgastein with its thermal water bathing lakes—honestly, you should see both!

Let yourself drift in the 36°C water while the snowflakes dance and gently land on your nose. The radon has a regenerating effect – it’s practically "wonder water" coming from the spring, providing a noticeable boost exactly at the right time. "Ski, Mountains, and Thermal Baths – Recharge in Gastein," says the slogan. You’ve just had your ideal spa day to get you fit for the second half of your dream week.

The charming village of Dorfgastein leads the way into the Gastein Valley. Here at the valley entrance, the world is still a bit more traditional. The Dorfgastein-Großarl ski area is known for its wide, sunny slopes and the warm hospitality in the huts.

Vera’s Tip for Christmas Romantics: A look over into the neighboring Großarl Valley is particularly worth it during the pre-Christmas season. The Großarl Mountain Advent is widely known as one of the most enchanting Christmas markets in the Salzburg region. The shared ski link connects the "Valley of Alms" with the Gastein Valley – connoisseurs can look forward to plenty of alpine delicacies, as "Hüttenzauber" (mountain hut magic) is in high season here.

The chic character of Gastein will awaken your spirit of discovery, so we’re planning another day away from skis and poles. You’ll find a huge network of groomed winter hiking trails. A hike through the deep-snow-covered Kötschachtal is like a journey to another time – a path to be taken with mindfulness. Alternatively, experience it via horse-drawn carriage for a perfect romantic moment. For something more social, join a fiery torch-lit hike under the Gastein night sky.

Vera likes it "wildly romantic" – will you join me for the evening? First rustic, then rapid – do you love that contrast that gives you rosy cheeks in winter? Then swap your hiking boots for a sled as dusk sets in. For some toboggan fun on the Bellevue-Alm natural run, you first head up with the nostalgic chairlift. After some cozy hut fun, we zip back down to the valley on fast wooden sleds – huge fun for families, couples, or anyone looking to fall in love this week.

I’m a little melancholy today, on your last day. Was I the best vacation companion for you? Did I lead you well? More than once I left the choice to you – "This or That" with the thermal baths, and yesterday the freedom to choose your own winter hiking path: gentle and thoughtful or fiery and fast.

You’ll be back anyway; I’m sure you’re already longing for it. But let’s make the most of this final day to complete your first Gastein experience – one you will never forget. To ensure you don't have to choose again, I’ll take you by the hand for the "Grande Finale." In the morning, we’ll take advantage of the best conditions and carve down the 10.4 kilometers of the Schlossalm, one of the longest valley runs in the Salzburg region.

And because the "Therminator" in you hasn't had enough yet, we’ll splash around in the Alpentherme until the evening to wind things down. You can round off your day of adventure and relaxation with a sensual stroll through the beautifully maintained spa gardens of Bad Hofgastein.

Vera assures you: it was a challenge even for me to showcase the brilliance of Gastein in just 7 days. If I tell you now that with the Ski amadé Card, you actually have over 760 kilometers of slopes across five regions open to you, then you’ll understand why regular guests return here for decades.

It was wonderful – see you next time at your comfortable we.rent in the Gastein Valley!