ski verdict
The Dorfgastein / Grossarl ski area is the first that can be reached on arrival in the Gastein valley. It rises from 830m in Dorfgastein to 2023m at the top of the Fulseck and connects through to the lovely and relatively unknown Grossarl valley (Großarltal). Despite being the lesser-known neighbour of the Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein ski areas this combination of two valleys offers a surprisingly varied range of skiing at a good intermediate level and with some interesting lengthy runs from top to bottom.
Dorfgastein & Grossarl Ski Area
Gondola : 5
Chairlifts: 8
Draglifts: 4
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skiing in dorfgastein
The Dorfgastein ski area is on the eastern side of the valley on the other side of the village from the main road. A small beginners' lift is located at the base, while the main ski pass and ski school offices are at the bottom of the Fulseck Gipfelbahn gondola.
Most visitors will take the gondola up to the mid-station or the top of the Fulseck - an alternative way into the area is via the Mühlwinkel chairlift (when open).
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From the top of the long gondola ride there are a range of moderately challenging red runs down to the mid-station, along with the short and steep black "Adrenalin" run. Those looking for an easier option can also try the "Bergkristall Family" blue run, which eventually leads through to the top of the Wengerhochalmbahn chairlift.
This lift, and the red runs underneath it, crosses the main mid-station area and eventually heads down to the top of the Mühlwinkel chairlift - it would be the next stage if taking this option of accessing the ski area.
Returning to the top of the Fulseck, there are spectacular views down into the Grossarl valley and across to the top section of the runs on this side.
Just before leaving this particular area, there is one more "hidden" chairlift on the Dorfgastein side - the four-seater Kühageralmbahn chairlift, which can be reached by heading along the top ridge and then down to the right. There are two straightforward red runs on this side, with access back up to the Kreuzkogel (the main linking point for the Dorfgastein and Grossarl sides).
dorfgastein webcam
The live webcam stream below is taken from the mid-station of the Fulseck lift - other Dorfgastein webcams are available by clicking the thumbnails above the live stream.
skiing in grossarl
Heading to the left from the ridge, rather than the right, the "Sennleiten" red run leads down to the Kreuzkogel chairlift, which, as the name suggests, heads up to the other main peak in the ski area. (It's here that skiers returning to Dorfgastein at the end of the day will need to head for.)
Those looking to head directly down to Grossarl can bypass this lift completely and carry on down the "Skiweg" blue run onto the main slopes above the village.
These slopes above Grossarl offer two parallel sets of lifts with a variety of red and blue intermediate runs underneath. Skiers can use the mid-stations to stay high or take advantage of the long connected pistes to take various routes from top to bottom. There is also a short black run from the top.
Looking up to the left, the Panoramabahn gondola offers two stages from the main village. To the right at the entrance to Grossarl, the Hochbrandbahn gondola heads halfway up the slopes, being followed then by the Harbach and Sonnenbahn chairlifts.
The route over to the Kreuzkogel chairlift (and the way back to Dorfgastein) can be accessed from the top of either of the above chairlifts (or the top of the Panoramabahn gondola).
grossarl webcam
The live webcam stream below is taken from the Harbach chairlift.