The ski resorts of the Salzburg region appeal to both beginners and pros
SKI AND SWIM (Gastein Valley Resorts)
As a rule, those coming to the Gastein Valley already know that skiing and snowboarding are not the only options for a wellness holiday. Moreover, many choose Gastein precisely because of its thermal complexes and radon galleries. After all, there are few ski resorts where you can not only ski but also swim and undergo medical treatments.
The Gastein Valley has 4 ski areas, 53 lifts, and 205 kilometers of trails. Each resort has a distinct character: Dorfgastein attracts with a homely family atmosphere, Bad Gastein is aristocratic, and Bad Hofgastein is known as the "democrat."
Free ski buses run tirelessly between all ski areas from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: from the lowest Dorfgastein (830 meters above sea level) to the highest Sportgastein (1590 meters) you can get there in an hour. Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein are also connected by a common lift and trail system, so you don't have to take off your skis when moving between them. In the Gastein Valley, tourists get free internet access: Wi-Fi is available at many ski stations within a hundred meters of the Access Point.
Whichever resort you choose, you get a Gastein Valley guest card. It offers discounts on public transport and visits to various entertainment and wellness facilities.
Discounts will come in handy, for example, when visiting the thermal complexes "Felsentherme" in Bad Gastein and "Alpentherme" in Bad Hofgastein (and how can you not go to them, since they are the highlight of the region?). The radon-containing thermal water at 44-47 degrees Celsius flows into the complexes from 18 springs located in Bad Gastein. However, the water is almost completely purified of radioactive gas: radon therapy can only be done with a doctor's prescription and under supervision (those interested can take radon baths at the SPA complexes). Many hotels in the valley have thermal water pools. But you can also simply stroll near the healing waterfall in the center of Bad Gastein: it's a natural inhalation especially beneficial for respiratory diseases.
Six kilometers from Bad Gastein there is another Mecca for lovers of sanatorium-type holidays – the radon galleries. Once gold ore was mined there, but in the end, they got something no less precious as a "bonus." Doctors noticed that local miners were surprisingly vigorous and did not complain of occupational diseases such as rheumatism and asthma. Moreover, the miners claimed that they went to work as if to a holiday, because after it their health improved. In short, the radon galleries became a gold mine, turning into a unique medical complex. Since 1952, thousands of patients have visited the galleries, experiencing the effects of high temperature, humidity, and natural radon.
SEASON FROM THE SNOW QUEEN (Zell am See – Kaprun)
Zell am See has a very, very long ski season. This is important to know for everyone who starts mourning their beloved skis in March: the Kitzsteinhorn glacier is open for skiing from mid-September to early June and from late June to late July. However, in 2015 you can only ski until May (due to the reorganization of the ski area and construction of new lifts). Nonetheless, know that in the warm season "skiing" here can already be combined with swimming in the quite large and very clean Lake Zell.
They say that from the "home mountain" of the Zell am See resort, Schmittenhöhe, the most beautiful views in Austria open up. Well, there are also 27 lifts serving 77 kilometers of trails. The trail types are divided "fairly": 25 kilometers each for "blue" and "black," 27 kilometers for "red," so it's hard to imagine which skiers they wouldn't suit. It's very convenient that the trails start almost from the center of Zell am See, so a skibus is not needed. Of all trails, 60 percent are equipped with snow cannons, guaranteeing cover until early April.
Not long ago, a new feature appeared at Kitzsteinhorn (the same one where you can ski in July). It's Black Mamba, a "black" trail for very confident pros, 1000 meters long, with a vertical drop of 290 meters and a slope of up to 63 percent. Zell am See has two innovations.
First, for evening skiing enthusiasts, there is the illuminated Schmitten Nightslope (operating twice a week). Second, for children and other lovers of creative skiing, there is now a Funslope, the world's longest: it's a hybrid of a ski trail, snow park, and cross course, with various snow-built attractions (tunnels, waves, mini-trampolines). Finally, for freestyle fans, a snow park is equipped right next to the Funslope.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE OFF YOUR SKIS (Saalbach – Hinterglemm)
At the Saalbach – Hinterglemm resort, lazy people who hate taking off and putting on skis a hundred times will like it: the trail system is so well thought out that from any point in the valley you can reach any point in the mountains and return without taking off your gear. However, that doesn't cancel the free bus running through the valley. The main feature of the region is that many hotels are located directly on the trail (you can start and finish skiing right at the hotel's doorstep).
The climate here is surprisingly favorable: as a rule, it's not cold at all (due to the low altitude), but the snow cover is fine – it lasts at least until mid-April.
The region is called the "Ski Circus": trails are located on both sides of the valley, on the northern and southern slopes, forming ideal "swings." The total length of marked slopes is 200 kilometers.
The valley is simply created for beginners: there are many ski schools in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, and the training slopes are located not far from the villages. Experienced people, of course, can also come here, as well as fans of fresh snow, but compared to other resorts in the Salzburg region, the difficulty of the "black" and freeride trails is still low.
Overall, Saalbach-Hinterglemm is fun. In addition to alpine skiing, you can go cross-country skiing or prefer sledding, or do curling, paragliding, horseback riding. In the evenings, the valley celebrates a feast with the main gastronomic heroine – pork knuckle, dancing, and hot drinks. But for shopping, it is better to go to Zell am See or even directly to Salzburg – as part of a group excursion.
As Lenta.ru notes, local resorts are "tailored" to incredibly diverse holidaymakers: experienced skiers and opponents of skiing altogether, the economy-minded middle class and picky upper middle class, youth and families. In the Salzburg region, there is also a camp for children and teenagers – Alpendacha (the nearest ski session will be held at the camp from March 21 to 28). Interestingly, in the region you can even find the all-inclusive format loved by our compatriots (for example, at the Panorama hotel Pawlik 3* hotel in Bad Gastein).