Schlossalm–Angertal–Stubnerkogel forms the beating heart of Bad Gastein skiing. The largest ski area in the Gastein ski region, it covers around 83 kilometres of piste and connects Bad Gastein with Bad Hofgastein. The legendary Hohe Scharte Nord run — 8 km long with a 1,440 m vertical drop — is the greatest altitude difference in all of Salzburger Land.

Sportgastein is a must for powder hunters and spring skiers. Reaching altitudes of up to 2,650 metres above sea level, it offers ski runs with more than 1,000 metres of total elevation across varying difficulty levels, with a guaranteed natural snow base well into spring.

Graukogel is the valley's hidden gem for experienced skiers. Running entirely on natural snow, it offers 14 kilometres of ski runs through a stone pine forest, with lift operation from Thursday to Sunday and a quiet, unhurried atmosphere far from the main crowd.

Dorfgastein–Grossarltal connects the lower valley across into a neighbouring valley, offering wide, sun-drenched slopes well-suited to those still building confidence on the mountain.

The Gastein ski resort is exceptionally well set up for families. The XXL Gasti Snow Park in Angertal spans more than 10,000 square metres, with six conveyor belts, a drag lift, a mini fun slope, a mini Skimovie trail and a large winter playground — all next to a ski school and rental shop. Two further Gasti Snow Parks are located at the valley station of the Stubnerkogel cable car in Bad Gastein and in Dorfgastein.

Children up to 6 years of age ski free of charge across all Gastein ski areas. The family ski pass Gastein promotions via Ski amadé offer additional savings on multi-day tickets throughout the season.

The Gastein ski pass is available as a standalone valley pass or as part of the wider Ski amadé network, which unlocks access to 760 km of pistes across Salzburger Land. The main ski season runs from late November through to mid-April, with Sportgastein open into late April. Lift hours are generally 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Book your ski pass online in advance for the best early-bird prices.

The Felsentherme is open Monday to Wednesday and Sunday from 09:00 to 21:00, Thursday to Saturday from 09:00 to 22:00.

Prices (2025/2026 season): A full day ticket including thermal spa and sauna costs €50.50 for adults and €28 for children aged 6–15. Children under 6 enter free of charge. Guests holding a Gastein Card receive a discount of €1–2 on admission. A combined Ski & Therme day ticket is also available from €79 — excellent value if you want to ski in the morning and soak in the afternoon.

The Kötschachtal Valley walk is one of the most consistently praised trails in the region. Starting in the small village of Kötschachtal, the route follows the stream through meadows and dense forest, passing wild tributary streams from the higher glaciers — with the cosy Alm Prossau inn appearing seemingly out of nowhere along the way.

The Höhenweg between Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein is another local favourite. At around 8 km in length with a walking time of roughly 2.5 hours, it runs at mid-height above the valley with sweeping views of the Stubnerkogel opposite — and its highlight is the Gadaunerer Schlucht gorge, voted the most beautiful place in Austria in 2024 in the national "9 Places – 9 Treasures" competition.

Summer cable cars give hikers a head start into the alpine heights — and with the Gastein Card, available free of charge from most accommodation providers, guests travel at reduced rates, with children under four riding free. 

The Stubnerkogelbahn operates from mid-May to mid-October, the Schlossalmbahn from mid-June to early November, and the Graukogel cable car from June to October — giving access to high-altitude starting points for trails of all levels. The Graukogel in summer is particularly popular for its quiet hiking trails, unique panoramas and famous Swiss stone pine trail.

The cycling version of the Alpe Adria stretches 415 kilometres from Salzburg to Grado on the Italian Adriatic, passing through Salzburger Land, Carinthia and the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. Bad Gastein features on the second stage of the classic route. Cyclists follow the Gasteiner Ache river through the green Gastein Valley, with the snow-capped Hohe Tauern mountains as a constant backdrop, before the final steep climb into Bad Gastein — a town of panoramic mountain views and Belle Époque architecture, with an impressive waterfall right in the centre. 

From Bad Gastein, a short ride leads to Böckstein, where a train takes cyclists through the Tauern tunnel in just 12 minutes to Mallnitz, followed by a fantastic descent into the Mölltal valley towards Villach and eventually into Italy. Between Tarvis and Resiutta, the route largely follows the old Pontebbana railway line — completely off-road, asphalted, with countless rest stops along the way. 

The route is particularly well suited to families for the flatter sections from Villach southward through Friuli Venezia Giulia, with manageable daily stages, bike-friendly hotels, and reliable luggage transfer services available from specialist operators.