Here's what freeride star Sandra Lahnsteiner has to say

Sandra Lahnsteiner
Salzburg

„Gastein Valley simply has so much to offer. In fact, folks who are new to Gastein are often amazed by the variety. Sportgastein, with its high-alpine slopes and the Schareck run down from the Mölltal glacier back to Sportgastein, are absolute highlights. Bad Gastein - the Stubnerkogel - is a magnet for freeriders, too, with a wide range of options close to the Jungeralm, while the Schlossalm area offers numerous choices you can reach directly from the lifts.

To sum it up: Gastein always has something to offer regardless of the weather or avalanche conditions! When there's heavy snowfall, pick out one of our numerous forest runs or perhaps the new Katstall ride. And if the weather is more settled, countless open mountainsides and big-mountain runs are perfectly primed and ready to welcome you. How nice is that?!“

The powder as far as you can see & enough space for freeride skiing

The Gastein mountains make free-riders' hearts beat faster. See why!

Have you loved skiing along the trees away from the groomed slopes and building small jumps as a child? Do you still prefer to be out in the open space rather than on perfectly groomed slopes during your winter holiday? Then head for Gastein, where you will find your perfect "freeride playground" amidst the impressive Salzburg mountains.

 

The mountains of Gastein offer many varied deep-snow slopes: wide northern slopes with champagne powder until the afternoon, southern slopes with firn, fast tree runs, gullies and even big mountain descents in the exciting Salzburger Land. 

Event tip: Red Bull PlayStreets in Bad Gastein is a must for all freestylers. Stunning courses, rails and jumps will amaze you, but also plenty of other action-packed events await you in Salzburg Land.

 

Sportgastein is a true freeride eldorado, reaching up to 2,686 metres. In winter the area gets abundant snowfalls so you can reach many deep snow slopes without a long ascent. Three marked routes offer endless fun for free-riders. Unpursued slopes and deep snow right up to the waist are pretty standard in Sportgastein. No wonder that Gastein is known as a freeride paradise. There are international contests organised, and athletes like Sandra Lahnsteiner have chosen Gastein as their home.

 

Pack your freeride skis & head for Gastein. Book your holiday right now & enjoy the swings, jumps and powder delight.

Freeride Routes in Sportgastein

Golden Powder

Length: 5,000 m

Access: The Golden Rush is located right below the Goldbergbahn lift.

Elevation Drop: 664 m

Rating: intermediate

Exposure: west

Golden Rush

Length: 2,000 m

Access: Right off the Golden Powder run, with steep sections. Only for experienced freeriders!

Elevation Drop: 398 m

Rating: intermediate

Exposure: west

Golden Ride

Length: 666 m

Access: valley station of the Kreuzkogel tow

Elevation Drop: 176 m

Rating: intermediate

Exposure: west

Deep-Snow Safety

Ready for a major endorphin rush? In that case, freeriding in Gastein will be "just what the doctor ordered" for you! Before you get started, though, make sure you have the right gear, including avalanche transponder and a probe, and that you are well prepared! Don't put yourself in danger unnecessarily! While you are still on the valley floor in Sportgastein, be sure to check out whether your transponder is working correctly using the equipment next to the practice avalanche search & rescue area. The bottom line is always "Ride safe!" Even experienced freeriders benefit from the services of a trained local guide, who can lead them out to the very best freeride spots in Gastein. With all your preparations complete, nothing more stands in the way of an unforgettable day of freeriding  here with us in Gastein.

Freerider bei der Tiefschneeabfahrt im Gelände

Open Faces Gastein

Only the world's best freeriders can participate in the Freeride World Tour. To ensure this, a global system of qualification events has been created. Summarized under the title Freeride World Qualifier. Each event is rated with 1 to 4 stars and corresponds to the level which the participants have to fulfill.

 

In Gastein the Mauskarkopf challenges the participants. Extensive backcountry and the audience which spurs on maximum performance are the special features. A look behind the scenes of this event can be found in the Gastein blog.

Open Faces 2* FWQ Gastein 2019

The QParks snowpark is a fantastic playground for new-schoolers. In the snowpark on the Stubnerkogel, beginner, medium and advanced lines feature lots of rails & boxes, while the kickers will allow you to clock lots of air time!

Head for the snowpark