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Texas Ski Council
TSC Winter Expedition
Bad Gastein:
A Historical Journey and a World Class Ski Resort
It was 25 years ago, in 1986, that the Texas Ski
Council made its first trip to
On this “Silver Jubilee Expedition,” we invite you to revisit Bad Gastein,
the destination of the original TSC trip.Some of you cherish memories of
Bad Gastein, and will find many of the same things that made the original
trip so very special. (Of course, there are many changes and
improvements.)
For many of you, Bad Gastein will be new. You will enjoy the “ski,
mountains, and spa” resort, with its historic legacy, traditional beauty,
world-class skiing, and welcoming residents.
Trip Dates: January 21/22 – January 29/30, 2011 Location:
The Gastein valley is located 60 miles directly south of
The touch of history blows through the valley; stories of days long past
are everywhere.
Classically-designed Belle-Epoque grand hotels, in shades of white and
yellow, blend harmoniously into natural surroundings. When built, these
were among the largest and most modern in World Class Ski Resort:
After centuries’ of declining social tourism, in mid-20th century, Bad
Gastein revived as a top winter sport destination.
The area made its mark with the
1958 Alpine World Championships.
From then on, the annual Silver Jug races became a fixture in the European
race calendar. Nowadays, Bad Gastein is the regular annual host of the
Snowboard and Snowboardcross FIS European Cup and World Cup races. Other
special events are a renown 24-Hour Race and Snow Jazz festival.
Of course, the history of Bad Gastein is incomplete
without the Texas Ski Council. In 1986, the first council European trip
attracted over 1,230 participants, still the largest transatlantic ski
trip ever!
The Mayor did not find an eligible man for his
unmarried daughters among the reputed one hundred millionaires on the
trip. Largely because he had ordered a bunch more blackjack tables, the
casino did not run out of space. Contrary to some expectations, the
streets were not paved with Rolex watches. First-timers to
Ski Areas:
Three towns; Six ski mountains:
The narrow
Stubnerkogel & Schlossalm:
(2795-7475 feet)
Largest connected skiing area. Downhill runs with over 1,208m (3,926feet)
vertical difference provide varied trails which are perfectly connected
with modern lifts and cable cars. Not to be missed is the intermediate
Hohe Scharte Nord run with a length of 8 km (5 miles) and a difference in
altitude of 1,440m (4,680feet), it is one of the longest downhill runs in
the
Graukogel:
(3507-6523 feet)
This area has lots of space with trees and powder, and is the location of
the World Championship runs. Top skiers can find challenge with long
difficult downhill runs. Most of the runs lead through forests and are
sheltered from wind and allows good orientation on days when visibility is
poor. There is no lift connection to the other skiing areas.
Sportgastein:
(5165-8612 feet)
Dorfgastein - Großarl:
(2763-6510 feet)
The “Ski Swing“ over the Fulseck peak links the
villages in two different valleys. The ski experience is diverse with a
variety of trails from beginner to expert, modern lifts, and unique
mountain huts with an authentic local flavor. From the "Fulseck" there is
the best panorama view, which stretches from the "Großglockner" to the "Dachstein".
Don’t miss the last lift back to the
In the Angertal valley linking the Stubnerkogel and Schloßalm ski areas is
located the Ski Center Angertal. This award-winning modern structure is
integrated into its surroundings and offers all ski services, an après-ski
bar, and the gourmet “Angertal 1180” restaurant, As a special bonus
experience, a 140m (450 foot) long hanging bridge links the summit station
of the Stubnerkogel lift to the terrace of the Sender Peak Summit
Restaurant. The bridge floor and rails are transparent and aesthetically
appealing allowing pedestrians to experience the altitude difference first
hand.
Ski Lifts and Access: In the past three years the Gastein lift company has invested €45 million ($65million) on lift and trail improvements including a new Stubnerkogelbahn (8 passenger gondola with escalator access), a new Senderbahn (8 passenger gondola), and a new GipfelXpress (6-seat chair), plus extensive trail, grooming, and snowmaking improvements.
Ski Amadé and
The
Gastein Valley Multiple Day Passes:
A single lift pass is valid in all ski areas in the
Ski Amadé Salzburg Super Ski Card Multiple Day Passes:
In addition to the ski areas in the
Gastein Valley Single Day Passes:
(available for each ski area)
Events and Facilities:
The following events are included in the bid price.
The detailed program is subject to change and will be agreed upon with the
Texas Winter Expedition Coordinator.
Arrival
Day & Orientation Meeting in Hotel:
Saturday
Opening Ceremony and Welcome Party:
Sunday Evening
SkiEurope has arranged with the Tourist Authorities of Bad Gastein to
organize a memorable Opening Ceremony and Welcome Party. Following the
Opening Ceremony, the Texas Ski Council guests are invited to a party with
hot drinks.
Ski Races:
Thursday Morning Farewell Party: Thursday Evening
A memorable farewell party will be organized in the Jazz Bar area, or in
the community center, depending on the group size.
Local Activities: The following activities are free, or at a nominal cost.
Skiing Activities:
§
Skiing Orientation Safari:
Free introduction tour of ski areas.
§
Floodlit Evening Skiing:
(Wednesdays 6:30 to 9pm) Bucheben lift at Bad Gastein base (not included
in regular lift ticket).
§
Guest Ski Races:
(Thursdays) Classified GS on FIS Hailtzingalm course at Schloßalm).
§
SpeedChek:
(Daily) Situated at the
BurgstallLift (#21) on the Stubnerkogel.
It is a prepared slope where you can test your speed!
Other On-Snow Activities:
§
Snowshoeing in National Park:
with Ranger/Guide (Tuesday 1pm Angertal).
§
Evening Tobogganing:
(Tuesday & Thursday 7pm) Lift to Schloßalm middle station and
Aeroplanstadtl hut. Descent 3.3km to valley.
§
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride:
(Daily) Along the grand promenade, through the forest, or from Grüner Baum
into the pristine Kotsach valley. Local Culture:
§
§
§
Burg Klammstein Fortress:
(at entrance to Gasteinertal) Tour and possibility of Knight’s Meal.
§
Studios of Artists:
Sepp Viehauser and Franz Wimmer in Bad Hofgastein. Well-known sculptors. Casino Bad Gastein:
§
Casino Bad Gastein Ladies Night:
(Wednesday) Package comprising: Playing capital; glass of Casino Sparkling
Wine, ticket for the weekly prize draw, ticket for the final prize draw on
March 31st (cruise)
§
Casino Bad Gastein
§
Casino Bad Gastein & Village Solitude Dinner:
(Tuesdays) Price of gourmet dinner is determined by roulette round.
Thermal Pools & Spas:
Felsenbad (Daily). Fed by Bad Gastein’s natural thermal springs, the
Felsenbad has warm outdoor pools, and a comprehensive spa complex.
Excursions:
(Tentative)
Excursions, for both skiers and sightseers, offer an
opportunity to explore intriguing new destinations. Excursions may be
pre-ordered and pre-purchased in the
Bad Gastein Walking Tour:
(Half
Day Sunday)
Morning tour of the city w/ English speaking tour guide. Visit to Mining Village/Museum:
(Half Day Sunday)
½
Hour drive.
Tour of old Mining town & Museum, just north of Bad Hofgastein.
During the 15th century, Bad Gastein was noted as the
gold capitol of the world.
(All Day Monday);
3½ hours drive
For 600 years until the First World War, under the
Austrian Hapsburg empire, this was the port city and base of the Austrian
Navy. Now in
(All Day Tuesday)
With a guide and bus, this day is for skiers who want to experience the
European way. This day tracks across more than a half-dozen ski areas
which comprise part of the vast Ski Amadé complex: Dorfgastein, Grossarl,
Alpendorf, Wagrain, Flachau, Flachauwinkel, and Zauchensee. We end up 50
miles (by road) from home. (Salzburg SuperSki Card required.)
(Half or All Day Tuesday);
1½ hours drive
This is the classic Baroque city with churches,
palaces, old houses, narrow streets, busy squares, all surmounted by an
imposing fortress. Birthplace and early home of Mozart, and made famous by
“The Sound of Music” film. Called “
Castles, Abbeys, and Palaces of
(All Day Wednesday)
This day tour crosses the Alps into
Salzwelten Hallein &
(Half or All Day Thursday);
1+ hour drive
This is a visit to the original salt mine that gave
Kranjska Gora and Bled,
(All Day Friday);
2 hours drive
In
Pre-Trips and Post-Trips:
SkiEurope will offer the following pre- and post-trips:
Is
Is the country of
It is the capital and the largest city in
City Stop-Overs: HOTEL:
Hotel Elisabethpark:
(Four Star Deluxe)
This elegant and tastefully decorated hotel is located right in the heart
of Bad Gastein. Shops, bars, and restaurants are nearby; the Casino is
just across the street; and the ski area about ten minutes away.
The inviting lobby focuses on a fireplace with
chimney. The hotel has a billiard and cigar lounge as well as a large
indoor pool, spa and wellness centre.
WiFi is located in the lobby area, with 2
in-house computers for the guests.
The Elisabethpark Hotel is the perfect holiday accommodation for active
travelers looking to combine sport, with comfort and relaxation. With
beautifully renovated rooms and excellent facilities, there are all of the
comforts required to make one’s stay memorable.
Ski Access:
The Stubnerkogel ski area is about a 10 minute drive from the hotel. For
guests’ convenience, the hotel has its own shuttle bus to the lift base
station. Ski rental and ski storage are located onsite. Rooms:
All 119 rooms are newly renovated with bath, telephone, hairdryer,
minibar, cable-TV, safety deposit box, and telephone.
There is a completely-new two-story wellness area with indoor pool,
whirlpool, danarium, tepidarium, Finnish sauna, steambath, showers, and
spacious relaxation area.
Additionally the exclusive Babor Beaty Spa offers many possibilities and
treatments, including thalasso, softpacks, thermal baths, energetic
treatments, cosmetic treatments, fango, lypomassage, and others
treatments.
Meals and Drinks:
This property is offered on an optional Half Board basis. Buffet breakfast
is included. The optional dinners are five-course with twice weekly
special themed and gala evenings. Meals are served in the Panorama
Restaurant with a fantastic view over the Gastein mountain village. There
is also an à la carte restaurant, The Prälatur, a traditional Austrian
caféhouse, The Sisi, and a classic jazz bar, The Felsenbar.
History:
In 1218 a house called “Wildbachhäusl” was located at the spot where Hotel
Elisabethpark stands today. Later it became known as “Prälatur” because a
Prälat (senior chaplain) visited the house regularly to benefit from the
Gastein healing waters. Later, an Italian Earl bought the building and
reconstructed it as a grand summer residence. Ownership passed to another
aristocratic family.
Finally in 1882, Aloys Windischbauer bought the residence, and built the
Spa hotel Elisabethpark. His granddaughter married the master-builder
Franzmaier, whose artistry helped to make the present-day Elisabethpark
Hotel into one of the most luxurious tourist establishments in Bad Gastein,
named one of the 50 “Leading Hotels of the World”.
To reclaim this standard, and to meet the expectations of international
clients, the hotel was closed for renovation during the spring of 2008.
The entry area, front, windows, and lobby were renewed, and a new
fireplace installed in the lobby. The rooms were also renovated and
received new bathrooms. Transportation: Bad Gastein is a relatively small town, and because our hotel is centrally located, walking is generally the fastest and easiest means to get around. The Hotel Elisabethpark has a free ski shuttle for its guests.
There is a ski bus system connecting Bad Gastein to all the ski area base
stations. The ski bus is free of charge with a lift pass. Otherwise, the
cost is €1 per trip with a guest card.
There
is also a train station in Bad Gastein. It is a stop on one of the
mainline services connecting northern and south-eastern
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This is the highest skiing area located at the end of the valley accessed
by toll road (covered by lift pass). deep powder, off-piste trails,.
Sporty types’ dreams come true, as soon as they leave the carpet of
prepared pistes and heading for the variety of powder or crispy spring
snow. The ski routes offer a thousand meters of skiing variety in deep
powder and mogul pistes.
