A five-day ski holiday in Austria's Gastein Valley can cost from around £1,255 per person, including lift passes, ski hire, meals, and accommodation, excluding lessons. The region, which includes the resorts of Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein, and Dorfgastein, is part of SalzburgerLand, a lesser-known alpine destination where prices remain more reasonable than some of Europe's biggest-name resorts.
Lift pass and ski hire costs
The biggest hidden expense for any skier is the lift pass, which provides access to the mountain's ski lifts and gondolas. In the Gastein ski area, a one-day adult ticket costs €69.50 (~£59), while a six-day pass costs €344.50 (~£293), working out at around €57.40 (~£49) per day. The pass covers the main Schlossalm–Stubnerkogel ski area linking Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein, as well as the higher-altitude Sportgastein sector.
For those not travelling with their own equipment, rental is the next major cost. At the Angertal Skizentrum in Bad Hofgastein, a day's rental starts from around €26 (£22) for skis and poles and €14 (£12) for boots. Weekly rentals cost around €129 (£110) for skis and €65 (£55) for boots, with snowboard rental priced similarly.
Lessons, food, and après ski
For beginners, learning can be the most expensive part. A three-day beginner's course costs around €294 (£250), including 12 hours of lessons with a dedicated instructor. A trip to the Angertal ski school could help build skills and confidence on the slopes.
Food prices in the mountains are slightly higher than at local spots, but Austrian mountain huts are usually gentler on the wallet than some French mega-resorts. A typical slope-side lunch might include €10–€15 (£8.50–£13) for dishes such as goulash soup or Tiroler gröstl, another €6 (£5) for a drink or coffee, and another €7 (£6) for a slice of strudel. Kaiserschmarrn, the sweetened shredded pancake, costs a little more at around €15 (£13). Altogether, €15–€25 (£13–£21) is a realistic spend for lunch and an espresso on the mountain.
One recommendation after a day on the slopes of Bad Hofgastein is the new Hirsch und Maus, perched at the mountain peak, where a traditional Wiener Schnitzel costs €21 (£18) and a Caesar salad is around €19 (£16). Après ski can be expensive, but a half litre of the local Salzburg brew, Stiegl, costs €6 (£5.30) at the trendy Angertal 1180.
Accommodation and five-day estimate
A classic double room at Hotel Zum Stern costs €294 (~£250) per room per night. Shared between two people, that's about €147 (~£125) each per night. The region also offers a Guest Mobility Ticket, providing free public transport throughout the entire area.
Based on a five-day ski holiday with a lift pass for each day, weekly ski and boot hire, a mountain lunch each day, a Schnitzel-style dinner, and one beer après ski, the total per person is estimated at €1,474–1,536 (£1,255–1,305), excluding lessons. Adding the optional three-day beginners course at ~€294 (£250) brings the total to €1,768–1,830 (£1,505–1,555). The overall figure can drop if you book lift tickets early, bring your own gear, or choose shorter passes such as half-day tickets.
