“Skiing and spa – a little bit different“ in Ski amadé DAY 1
...at the bottom lift station of the new and architecturally super modern Schlossalmbahn, which thanks to the increased transport capacities of 10-person gondolas, takes us to the top station in no time at all. There awaits us, in the bright sunshine, the popular family ski resort of Schlossalm – Angertal – Stubnerkogel. This can be easily reached from both Bad Hofgastein and Bad Gastein.
With an altitude difference of up to 1,000 meters, a snowpark and a funslope, several sunny slopes invite us to carve and board in the morning. There is not much time to take a break, as our aim of this ski day is to visit the relatively new viewing platforms in Stubnerkogel. Especially on sunny days like this one, there is a stunning 360° panoramic view, which immediately gets your heart beating that little bit faster.
Both from the top station of the Stubnerkogels and at the transmitter pylon, we are at the highest situated suspension bridge in Europe. With a length of 140 meters and at 2,300 meters above sea level, it is quite nerve wrecking when you step onto the slightly swaying bridge.
...and the wonderful slopes beneath us were so fascinating, that we bravely walk on until the photo point. I only started to feel a bit queasy when I took a selfie with my phone. To lose my smart phone now, would be very unfavourable! Even more imposing is the panoramic view from the viewing platform Glocknerblick, which is only a few hundred meters further on the left.
Due to the fact that the way there can be easily and quickly frozen over by the wind, I recommend to leave your skis at the top station and to walk with your ski poles to the platform. This unique construction, made primarily from steel and wood (in the Ski amadé colours with the bright blue sky and white snow), offers a very impressive view all the way to the Großglockner. On the way to one of my favourite carving slopes – slope nr.19 – we discovered to our left a further, a somewhat smaller viewing platform, with a view of the valley.
So, we spontaneously clipped our skis off once more and walked along a short rocky path to the platform, which not only provided a stunning view of the mountains, but also let us look down to the chic little town of Bad Gastein. A true moment of pleasure and wellness for our eyes!
...we treated ourselves to a short break at the Weitmoser Schlossalm, where the lounge area is so nicely situated in the sun, before we committed to skiing down the longest run in the Eastern Alps. Two chairlifts took us up to the Hohen Scharte Nord, from where there is a stunning run on the other side, which is 10,4 Kilometres long and takes you all the way back to Bad Hofgastein.
Even though the slope is already in the shade in the afternoon, I realized straight away that the snow is much softer here and much powderier, so I was in carving heaven. During the start, still up from the tree line, we started our turns, and very soon we were between the woods and mighty rocks, which made for a very varied terrain.
Quicker than I thought, we were back at the bottom station of the Schlossalmbahn and as there were so few snowboarders and skiers on the slope, and I would urge you to do it again. Pure enjoyment and wellness for our skiers’ heart! Afterwards, we then did the final run of the day and we checked-in to the Nature and Design Hotel, Das.Goldberg located directly on the slope.
...that gold was still being mined in the Gastein Valley until the 19th century. It was also by chance that the “Gasteiner Heilstollen”(healing stones), so well-known today, was discovered, which is said to be particularly regenerative and pain-relieving. After this first very intensive ski day, we needed wellness for the body, soul and spirit and most of all our legs were in desperate need of recuperation.
The best insider tip of the sauna and spa area is the worldwide unique “Gold Stollen”, a kind of caldarium, which is particularly relaxing and soothing at a temperature of around 45° and a humidity of 60%. 400 tonnes of massive stones from the Hohen Tauern and mighty tree trunks – both borrowed from mother nature – and a pleasant scent and candlelight ensure that there is a nice and cosy atmosphere.
After another sauna session at high temperatures and a dip in the infinity pool with a romantic view over the valley of Bad Hofgastein, which glistens like gold in the darkness, we then got ready for our 6 course dinner in the so-called ”Gold.Stube”. There awaited us a further moment of enjoyment for our stomachs, because the cuisine that is presented, is a successful symbiosis of traditional recipes with local ingredients combined with the great talents of the chef.
This article was created with the kind support of viennissimalifestyle.com
