Bad Gastein has hosted Ski Classics since 2022, and its dramatic Belle Époque architecture, cascading waterfall dropping 341 meters through the town center, and high-altitude Sportgastein arena make it one of the most distinctive stops on the calendar.
Beyond the four Ski Classics World Championship elite events and three public ski events, the town offers thermal spas, alpine hikes, and a historic center built into steep mountain cliffs.
Bad Gastein – Event Facts
- Active years in Ski Classics: Bad Gastein Classics debuted in December 2022; the December 2026 block marks its fifth edition.
- Other event distances outside elite events (open for all):
- Bad Gastein Vertical City Sprint, December 11, the open/recreational race, runs on the same course as the Elite Bad Gastein Prologue and starts shortly after it (evening event) – Register here
- Bad Gastein Classics, 15km and 30km classic technique (Challengers), December 19 – Register here
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Bad Gastein – Travel Guide
- Family and spectator info: The Vertical City Sprint on December 11 runs directly through historic Bad Gastein, starting at Merangarten, passing the waterfall, and finishing near Salzburger Hof/Silver Bullet, making it one of the most spectator-friendly events of the block. Recreational skiers set off shortly after the Elite Prologue field on the same course, so spectators can watch both races back-to-back from the same viewing points. Non-skiers can visit Felsentherme, explore the historic center, or ride the Stubnerkogel cable car between races.
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- Top 3 things to do:
- Stubnerkogel cable car: panoramic viewpoints including a 140-meter suspension bridge, the cliffside Rock Trail, and views toward Austria’s highest mountain on clear days.
- Felsentherme: thermal spa built into the mountain at 1,100 meters, with pools fed by Gastein’s natural thermal water and panoramic outdoor views.
- Historic Bad Gastein center: a walk through the town’s Belle Époque buildings and past its famous waterfall, running through the heart of town.
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- How to travel: Nearest airport is Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart. Recommended sustainable route: Salzburg Airport to Salzburg Central Station, then by train to Bad Gastein railway station, with local public transport connecting on to Sportgastein.
- Where to stay: Bad Gastein town center and railway-station area for atmosphere and convenience, close to restaurants, Felsentherme, and the Stubnerkogel cable car; Böckstein, just south toward Sportgastein, for a quieter alpine setting close to the main race area. Accommodation assistance: Gastein accommodation and booking hotline, +43 6432 3393 990, info@gastein.com
- Local specialty dish: Kasnocken, small dumpling-like noodles with melted cheese, best enjoyed in one of Gastein’s alpine huts. For something sweet, try Kaiserschmarrn.
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- Best-kept secret: Altböckstein, a few minutes south of Bad Gastein, once the center of gold mining in the High Tauern. Its Mining Museum, World Exhibition Fountain, and historic Czernin hunting lodge offer a quieter, lesser-known side of the region’s history.
Between world-class racing and a setting where alpine tradition meets modern style, Bad Gastein is more than a race venue; it’s where the Ski Classics winter begins.
More information about Bad Gastein can be found at www.gastein.com
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Instagram: @visitgastein, @gastein_classics
Facebook: facebook.com/visitgastein
Also Read: Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII
Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII (2026/2027)
• Event 1: December 11, 2026 – Bad Gastein Prologue – Austria – 1km
• Event 2: December 13, 2026 – Sportgastein Criterium – Austria – 30km
• Event 3: December 19, 2026 – Bad Gastein ITT – Austria – 7km
• Event 4: December 20, 2026 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Austria – 36km
Bad Gastein Tour (Events 1–4 of Ski Classics World Championship Season XVIII)
• Event 5: January 16, 2027 – Engadin La Diagonela – Switzerland – 55km
• Event 6: January 17, 2027 – Zuoz–St. Moritz Sprint – Switzerland – 30km
• Event 7: January 31, 2027 – Marcialonga – Italy – 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2027 – Bedřichov Heat Sprint – Czech Republic – 1.5km
• Event 9: February 14, 2027 – Jizerská50 – Czech Republic – 50km
• Event 10: February 27, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Women – Sweden – 30km
• Event 11: February 28, 2027 – Oxberg–Mora Sprint Men – Sweden – 30km
• Event 12: March 7, 2027 – Vasaloppet – Sweden – 90km
• Event 13: March 20, 2027 – Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – 53km
• Event 14: April 3, 2027 – Reistadløpet – Norway – 35km
• Event 15: April 4, 2027 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Norway – 60km
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics World Championship, visit skiclassics.com.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Top Photo: Ski Classics
