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Lets
not start this story by saying here's a
resort that needs no introduction, OK?
Clearly it does need at least some. Probably not
so much to the Europeans in our various
audiences, but certainly other skiers around the
globe will be less familiar with this region.
This offering is another collection of valley resorts. This is
as it should be for Austria is a country made up largely of
mountainous regions, and in mountainous regions there has to be
valleys. Otherwise the whole country would be populated by
mountain goats.
This valley is called The Gastein
Valley, and the resorts within its parameters are called respectfully,
Badgastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein. Not likely to forget the
name of the valley any time soon are you?
Never heard of it in the first place? Well dear
reader I am here to tell you that this little valley is no
Mickey Mouse Land. Not when it comes to providing action and
amenities for visitors, anyway. That the Valley presents
one very formidable ski region will become apparent when you see
the stats they can boast. More than 200 kms. of downhill
runs served by 53 various uphill methods of transportation
should convince you that their collective hearts are in the
right place. In addition there are about 100 kms of cross
country trails, and methinks some valuable concessions to the
snow boarding set.
But this valley is much more than a ski resort, or a collection of
ski resorts. It is indeed a big time, up market, sophisticated year
round activelifestyle destination. One which includes not only the
aforementioned skiing when the snow flies or is made, but one with
all of the other goodies that form a multi - entry year round
destination too.
And with all of the action and attractions going on, the area,
because of its health spas and thermal baths is good for what
ails you too. One can gamble or golf, gambol or gaze, bath in
the springs or spring in the baths, well you know what I'm
saying. The Valley's cup runneth over. The cure aspect of
these resorts deserve a lot more attention than we are able or
equipped to give in these pages, after all this is a ski
magazine. Suffice it to say that with all of the natural spas,
springs, baths and the like you just have to come out of a stay
in this area feeling good. If you can afford it.
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