Located 90kms from Salzburg and train-linked, Bad Gastein is one of the most well known spa towns in Austria. It is also at the centre of the Gastein Valley ski area, with four domains totalling 250kms of pistes.

The old world resort town is a great base from which to ski the surrounding region and boasts a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget, from elegant hotels to simple but comfortable bed-and-breakfasts. It is reputed to have more overnight guests than any city in Austria, except Vienna.

With a longest run of eight kilometres and 201kms of prepared runs on both sides of the valley and at Sportgastein (10kms away), Bad Gastein has ample slopes to justify its 70,000 skiers per hour lift capacity. The ski resort has a total of 48 lifts, comprised of one funicular train, one cable car, nine gondolas, 19 chairlifts and 18 surface lifts.

The skiing favours good intermediates, with lots of challenges and tree-lined skiing. For experts, there is a wide range of off-piste, while great powder can be found on the Kreuzkogel. There is also the World Cup downhill run to test the best. Snowboarders are provided with a park and half-pipe, and the high number of draglifts will challenge the most adept. Cross-country skiers will love the 91kms of Nordic tracks.

After dark, popular activities include swimming in the thermal waters of some hotels or in the community pool; while the nightlife is quite sophisticated and prices are predominantly high. The 'bath and beer' option is also very popular for afternoon après-ski. Alternatively, you can visit the fine folk museum, try your luck in the casino, or browse the many shops. Other recreational opportunities include: hiking, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice-skating, indoor swimming, sauna, tennis, paragliding, hang-gliding, winter golf and local curling.

The ski season lasts from early December through to May, with peak seasons around the Christmas and New Year holidays, as well as February and March. Bargain rates and cut-price packages can be had during mid-December, mid-January and April.

Salzburg and Munich airports provide convenient aerial gateways to Bad Gastein, and the resort is also convenient to visitors travelling by road or rail.