While many skiers head to the vast French resorts of Val d'Isère or Chamonix, a hidden Austrian valley is being hailed as one of Europe's most romantic winter getaways. The Gastein Valley in SalzburgerLand combines sweeping mountain scenery, healing thermal waters and classic wooden ski huts that exude quintessential Austrian charm.
The valley's twin spa towns of Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein sit deep within the Alps, offering a more intimate alternative to the bustling mega-resorts. The region has quietly gained a reputation as one of the Alps' most romantic winter destinations, with plenty of lodges to curl up in, roaring fires and fondue.
A Wes Anderson-Inspired Setting
Bad Gastein itself is unusual. Rather than spreading gently across a valley floor like most Alpine resorts, it clings dramatically to the side of a steep gorge. Walking around the town during golden hours on a brisk February evening, the grand pastel-coloured hotels perched perilously onto the mountainside evoke the aesthetic of Wes Anderson's film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
The cult-classic director is said to have travelled to Bad Gastein seeking alpine inspiration for the Oscar-nominated hit. It is especially easy to spot when looking up at the façade of the Grand Hotel de l'Europe, which looks out over a cliff with a gentle waterfall crashing below.
Musical Heritage and Thermal Charm
The sound of the waterfall offers its own theatrical backdrop, becoming even more magical in winter when mist from the waterfall freezes into crystals and snow dusts the pastel-coloured buildings. This magic has been enchanting people for centuries, with the town having inspired many Romantic composers, including Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss.
It is said Mozart himself was born in Bad Gastein before his pregnant parents moved to the nearby city of Salzburg. Today, that historic grandeur remains, giving the resort a slightly surreal atmosphere that feels part Hollywood and the perfect place for a day together on the slopes.
Practical Details for Visitors
Oliver stayed at the Hotel Zum Stern, where doubles cost from €294 per room per night outside of high season. The Gastein ski pass costs €66–78.50 a day, or €330–392 (£280–335) a week for adults.
