Ski tours in Bad Hofgastein

Diverse as nature, so the ski tours are presented in the Gastein Valley. From simple trips for pleasure, to difficult mountain tours for professionals, there is something for everyone. However, stable snow conditions apply for all coupled with ski touring experience and your own skills.

Just as at the end of the 19th century, for the ski-tours there were no lifts in Sportgastein. Popular and versatile, the trips offer pristine powder which makes the effort worthwhile. For steep slopes, however, care is required to avoid being buried by an avalanche. Especially in spring there is the chance of a 'Firn' during a tour in the Gastein valley. From Kalkbretterkopf up to the Ankogel, the Gadaunerer Hochalm at 1000m to 2688m of altitude on the Kreuzkogel, the selection of detailed tours is huge. The ski tour to the Kalkbretterkopf (2412m) is certainly one of the highlights. Fantastic views of the mountain peaks in the Gastein valley - the Goldberg and Ankogel range. Winter landscapes and unspoilt nature in one of the most beautiful regions of Austria.

A powder-experience awaits you with a ski tour on the Kreuzkogel in Sportgastein. Many ascents take you to 2688m above sea level. After the climb, you can expect a special pleasure gliding on pristine slopes of the valley. A true secret is skiing the Tüchlwand in the Goldberg range. Completely in open terrain, through untouched nature, it goes up to 2577m altitude. Alternatively,in poor snow conditions you can stay on the Schloßalm. In the newly built Gipfelkreuz you experience unforgettable panoramic views over the Gastein valley. A very popular tour is the ski tour to Graukogel in Gastein. A steep rise calls for athleticism at the beginning, however, a visit to the Graukogel hut compensates for the hardships. The summit offers a wonderful view of Bad Hofgastein.

Touring ski fans have long been familiar with the Gastein Valley, which offers very special ski tours from late autumn until well into spring due to its altitude. Many of them have higher starting points at the middle or top stations of the lifts and so the touring pleasure is still assured when spring already begins in the valley. From true pleasure tours to challenging mountain tours in Gastein, everyone will find their personal favorite tour.

The signposted ski tour S1 to the Stubneralm is highly recommended for beginners or for warming up at the start of the season. It starts at the end of the ski run B11 and leads through the deep snow-covered forest. Only at the beginning and at the end there are short passages on the ski slope. For the 640 meters in altitude you can reward yourself with a hearty snack in the rustic Stubneralm.

Step by step you will also conquer the Graukogel. On the "Zirbenroas" (Tour S 2) you climb through the deep snow-covered Zirbenwald from the middle station 500 meters in altitude to the Graukogelhütte. Of course, you can also start your tour at the valley station and trudge up along the edge of the slope. In the cozy hut you celebrate your summit victory over the Zirbenberg in any case - as it should be - with an aromatic Zirbenschnapserl.

Another signposted ski tour S3 goes to the Jungeralm. You start in the ski center Angertal and cover a short distance on the ski trail, then you are always off the slopes. Past the "Hirschn Hütt'n", your path leads you leisurely uphill through the dense mountain forest for 500 meters in altitude. Shortly before you reach your destination, the forest becomes sparser and as a reward, the breathtaking panorama of the Gastein mountains lies before you. At the Jungeralm, a "DJ Ötzi free music zone" awaits you in the cozy JungerStube. Enjoy the view and the regional delicacies before you glide back over snow-glistening slopes into the valley.

An easy but extendable ski tour leads through deep snow-covered forests via Wolfstall to the Gadaunerer Hochalmen. The starting point is the Angertal above Badgastein. You quickly leave behind the noise and hustle and bustle of the beginner meadows and immerse yourself in the silence of the wintry forest. The gradient is moderate and in between there are always flat passages to take a breather. When the forest line is reached, it is not far to the Gadaunerer Almen. If you want to soak up the sun and have a little more time, take the path over Nesslach. For the first part of the ascent you take the slope. Then it goes rather flat past a few huts and now you have the choice of descending via the free slopes or conquering the Breitfeldboden and Kalkbretterkopf (2412m). This would be an ascent of 1200 meters in altitude, which is rewarded with a fantastic view of the peaks of the Goldberggruppe and the Ankogelgruppe and with a long powder snow descent.

The ski tour on the Ortberg is somewhat more demanding. Starting point is behind the Valeriehaus in Sportgastein on the sunlit steep slope it goes uphill to the first highlight of the route, the Bockhartsee at 1900m. As you trudge on up to the summit of the Ortberg, spectacular views into the depths open up again and again. Over gentle slopes it then goes back down to the Bockhartsee.

Another medium-difficulty tour runs the same up to the lake. After the turnoff in the direction of the upper Bockhartsee, it goes over the Baukarlscharte in the direction of Silberpfennig (2600m). For the last meters in altitude you even have to unstrap your skis and climb a little over rocks. Then you are spoiled for choice, either to descend along the ascent path, into the neighboring Rauristal or along an old Knappensteig into the Angertal.

An insider tip in the Gastein Valley, which is a very challenging tour, leads you to the Türchlwand in the middle of the Goldberg Group. The trail starts in the Angertal and steers you into the lovely Lafenbachtal. Here, however, the leisurely part also comes to an end. In countless hairpin bends it goes steeply up to the Rockfeldalm and further over the ridge along the Siebenspitz to the Türchlwand at 2577m. The efforts are quickly forgotten with the magnificent panoramic view. Afterwards, you can enjoy a pleasant downhill run along the ascent path or take a leisurely ride back down to the valley on the Schlossalm slopes.

Not to be compared with night skiing by floodlight is what Gastein offers you on bright nights.
Around the full moon, the slopes of the Stubnerkogel are opened until 10 pm. At night in the mystical light of the full moon, the mountains of the Gastein Valley shimmer majestically and in the silence all you hear is the crunching of the snow and your own breath. This is pure deceleration! This easy tour takes 3 hours, because there are 1140 meters of altitude to overcome.
Wednesday and Friday evenings, as well as during full moon, the slopes of the Graukogel are open for tourers. The ascent to the Graukogelhütte, which is open until 10 pm on these days, takes less than 2 hours.
Also on the Fulseck, certain slopes are available for tourers until 8:30 p.m. every day.