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Bad Gastein
The town of Bad Gastein unfolds over a precipitous, beautiful hillside and is home to 18 natural hot springs. Snow shredders are attracted to the resort’s challenging bowls and fog-free, high-altitude vistas, but it’s the healing properties of the radioactive (in a good way) thermal waters that have lured people since the 13th century. Like the aristocrats of years past, visitors still “take the waters” at more than a dozen local spas (we recommend Alpen Therme Gastein and Felsentherme), whether for relaxation or to treat ailments, such as arthritis, asthma, and allergies.
Splurge: A few miles outside of town, the 100-year-old, family-run Hoteldorf Grüner Baum is a compound of cedar chalets in a quiet national park, where guests will find a web of winter hiking trails, a curling rink, and a mini ski lift for kids. From $400/night; hoteldorf.com
Value: The charming Haus Hirt Hotel & Spa is known for a stunning view of the Gastein Valley off its veranda, its Aveda spa, and a great restaurant, where everything from the beer to the butter is locally sourced. Ask for a recently renovated room. From $126/night; haus-hirt.com
