Winter in its purest form

Winter vacation for non-skiers

A holiday in the Alps while they lie under deep snow enjoying wonderful Alpine air can be a real pleasure for you, even if you have no wish to strap your planks to your feet.

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Sun, snow and such a blue sky

A perfect winter day in the Gastein valley

It has snowed, the fresh powder snow is glinting in the sunlight and across the paths over the fields, the little bells on the horse-drawn sleighs can be heard. In warm boots and well wrapped up, it is wonderful to go for a walk and, if your hands get cold, you can stop for a hot chocolate in the village café.

With snowshoes you can conquer the mountains
Cross-country skiing, skating or tobogganing
In good company ice stock sports
Into the hot sauna to warm up again

Cross-country skiing in the Gastein valley

Magnificent scenery, low-cost, great pleasure!

Varied trails

Cross-country skiing is one of the healthiest sports there is, and you can easily practice this sport close to Hotel Sonngastein and in beautiful surroundings with the whole family. In winter, there are many ways to find happiness, and cross-country skiing is one of them.

The lovely thing about our prepared cross-country ski trails is their sheer variety. You can just step outside into the snow and enjoy some healthy exercise on a local circular trail or a couple of easy-going kilometres.

Here with us in the Gastein valley in November you can already try out your cross-country skis since the winter season starts early here at the Sportgastein. Then, in December, all the other maintained cross-country trails will also be open for you, and in the Angertal you can usually ski until the beginning or middle of April, while here at the Sportgastein, the ski trails are well maintained until the end of April.

Dependable snow until into April

The best cross-country ski trails for your vacation

Either easy cross-country trails for budding and older skiers or more challenging cross-country trails with a great experience of the natural world – here, sporting experiences are guaranteed.

Characteristics: easy, attractive cross-country trail right through the spa park of Bad Hofgastein. Surrounded by mature trees, following small winding paths, this ski trail is a very charming version of ‘taking a walk’ on ski.
Cross-country ski technique: Classic
Length: 1.5 km
Tip: also wonderful in the evenings, with floodlighting.

Characteristics: pleasant and technically easy terrain. Like a hike through our magical winter landscape, past meadows and woodland, alongside a glittering stream with views to the beautiful mountain peaks all around. The Böckstein cross-country ski trail connects Alt Böckstein and Bad Gastein, virtually from village to village and it is a peaceful and companionable experience.
Length: the longest circular trail runs for 5 km. Several variants are possible.
Cross-country ski technique: classic and skating
Tip: you experience the stylish flair of skiing through the ‘Montanzentrum Altböckstein’ [‘mining centre’]. The cross-country ski trail in this region passes through a depiction of the interesting lives of the hard-rock miners, lives filled with privation. There is also a delightful floodlit cross-country trail close to the ‘Montanzentrum Altböckstein’.

Characteristics: a technically challenging ski trail with substantial gradients. High-speed descents on which some of the bends are very tight. An Eldorado for accomplished cross-country skiers.
Length: the longest circular trail runs for 7 km. Several variants are possible.
Cross-country ski technique: classic and skating
Tip: From here, you can superb views of the mountains, for example across to the Gamskarkogel, Stubnerkogel and Zitterauer Tisch. A particularly beautiful view is of the Silberpfennig and the head of the valley. Experience the peace and tranquillity of the natural world and take in the natural beauty of the mountains in winter.

You'll find many different varieties of cross-country ski trail here, some offering relaxed skiing and others offering more intense altitude training.

Characteristics: easy, moderate and more difficult cross-country ski trails through the heart of breathtakingly beautiful countryside. All of these ski trails benefit from the spectacular high-Alpine character of the head of the Gastein valley. Cross-country skiing in high Alpine terrain between 1600 and 1800 metres above sea level.
Length: the longest circular trail runs for 6 km. Several variants are possible.
Technique: classic and skating
Tip: cross-country skiing on a perfect winter Sunday: the high Alpine panorama will delight you!

Characteristics: easy, attractive cross-country trail right through the spa park of Bad Hofgastein. Surrounded by mature trees, following small winding paths, this ski trail is a very charming version of ‘taking a walk’ on ski.
Cross-country ski technique: Classic
Length: 1.5 km
Tip: also wonderful in the evenings, with floodlighting.

Nature at its most pure

Winter hiking through the Gastein valley

The Gastein valley also offers some wonderful winter hiking options on well-maintained winter hiking paths that lead up to cosy mountain inns. As part of our weekly programme we offer a regular lovely winter walk once a week stopping off at a cosy tavern – bring your walking shoes and treat yourself to these restorative few hours!

Let the evening come to a pleasant close

Open fire & après ski

We offer a refined après ski experience and enjoyable evenings by an open fire – with our own library.
Also in our atmospheric piano bar, where you can enjoy live classical music at the bar, a ‘slow-motion’ experience for your vacation evening.

In the high Alps

Even without skis, you can have a lot of fun

Hut evening

Our mountain inns are also great places to go for people who visit us without skis and snowboards. By way of example, we can strongly recommend a visit to the Bellevue-Alm, the Graukogel summit hut, and an absolute ‘must’ is the Stubnerkogel summit restaurant. The spectacular suspension bridge offers a sensational 360° panorama of the high mountain world with views over the main Alpine range.

En route by car

The beautiful Panorama Road

In winter, experience the breath-taking panorama of the Central Alps under heavy snow from the ‘Gasteiner Alpenstrasse’.

Nearby destinations for excursions

The regional capital, Salzburg with its beautiful historical centre is just an hour away on the motorway, or an hour and twenty minutes by train.

When it's snowing outside

Stay warm and cosy in the spa area

Wellness Swim Fitness

Revive your spirits and recharge your battery

Don your cosy dressing gown and enjoy an indulgent pamper in the luxurious spa area.

Revive your spirits and recharge your battery

Don your cosy dressing gown and enjoy an indulgent pamper in the luxurious spa area.

Wellness & mehr

Popular with spa guests

There is power in the water

The springs of the Gastein valley dispense fresh energy and help you to get through the year with real vitality. In any event, a spa break is like a fountain of youth! Doing something good for your body through healthy nutrition, detoxing massages and time spent in warm thermal water.

Our credo

Wellness to luxuriate in

If you wish to extend the scope of your spa vacation, the thermal baths of the Gastein valley are close by and within easy reach. It is of course always possible to book a thermal spa treatment and you can also book Gasteiner Heilstollen offers through us, if interested.

Winter vacation for non-skiers

A perfect winter day in the Gastein valley

Varied trails

The best cross-country ski trails for your vacation

Winter hiking through the Gastein valley

Open fire & après ski

Hut evening

The beautiful Panorama Road

Stay warm and cosy in the spa area

Revive your spirits and recharge your battery

Revive your spirits and recharge your battery

Exquisite bathing pleasure

Exquisite bathing pleasure

„Sonngastein Fit & Relax“

„Sonngastein Fit & Relax“

There is power in the water

Wellness to luxuriate in

Your classy active holiday:

Hotel**** Sonngastein