Three marked ski routes, numerous freeride variations and deep snow slopes in the immediate vicinity of the slopes offer pure off-piste fun. Not for nothing have top athletes like Sandra Lahnsteiner settled in Gastein. In addition, international contests and competitions take place regularly.

But of course safety plays a very important role in the terrain. That's why Gasteiner Bergbahnen has set up a freeride competence center in Sportgastein. A freeride checkpoint has been set up at the Goldbergbahn mountain station. This has all the safety information up to route descriptions, an "avalanche checker", and the currently prevailing avalanche warning level. The off-piste information system provides freeriders with the latest information and most important safety tips. Directly when exiting the lift, freeriders will find the daily avalanche situation report from the state of Salzburg, especially for the ski area in Sportgastein.

Wolfgang Egger, Board of Directors of Gasteiner Bergbahnen AG: „Sportgastein with its almost 2,700 meters of altitude offers perfect off-piste opportunities amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Hohe Tauern. The latest information and safety tips on our 3 ski routes should enable our guests to enjoy the maximum freeride pleasure. For this reason, we have decided to set up a Freeride Info Base in Sportgastein."

Components of the Freeride Info Base

• Screen with current avalanche situation report (exit gondola Goldbergbahn)
• Aerial view of the freeride area with route display
• Topographic map
• Avalanche transceiver - checker
• Safety information (equipment, rules of conduct)
• Display - avalanche warning level
• Avalanche warning light
• Electronic route approval
• Emergency numbers, links

There are three official ski routes in Sportgastein:

1. Golden Powder - 5000 meters lenght - 664 meters altitude difference

2. Golden Rush - 2000 meters lenght - 398 meters altitude difference

3. Golden Ride - 666 meters lenght - 176 meters altitude difference

Ski routes 1 - Golden Powder

Ski Routes 2 - Golden Rush

Ski Routes 3 - Golden Ride

Safety note: The marked ski routes in Sportgastein are not prepared, not controlled, but secured against avalanches. Outside the routes you are in the free ski area, act exclusively on your own responsibility and move outside the liability of the cable car company!

Train at any time, free of charge and under real conditions. In cooperation with the company Girsberger and Ortovox, a state-of-the-art avalanche transceiver training system was installed. Because even the best equipment helps nothing without the knowledge of how it works properly!

How does it work?

At this station on the valley floor of Sportgastein, you can train the use of your avalanche transceiver under realistic conditions at any time and free of charge, without prior registration. The high-tech facility is computer-controlled and equipped with a user-friendly screen. The transmitters hidden in the training area can be searched for in different difficulty levels - the given time limit should not be exceeded. The training results can be analyzed directly on the spot.

Facts in summary

• Fully automatic search station
• Accessible to everyone, easy to use and free of charge
• Possibility to set different accident scenarios
• Countdown timer
• Result query on the spot

So, to be as prepared as possible for skiing off-piste, grab your avalanche transceiver and avalanche probe, select your skill level on the touch screen, enter your name, press start and practice, practice, practice!

The Freeride Maps show where to find the best spots and how to get there. The worldwide unique map for freeriders makes the knowledge of the locals available. All off-piste runs and couloirs in an area are color-coded in so-called freeride corridors in three levels of difficulty.

More info about the Freeride Map can be found at freeride-map.com.

Safety and tips

Safety is paramount off the secured slopes!!!

What should be considered when freeriding?

Before you start a descent, always check the Freeride Info Base at the top station of the Goldbergbahn in Sportgastein. There you can see which routes are currently open or closed, what the current avalanche warning level is, important telephone numbers, what to do in free terrain and much more.

Outside the routes, you are in the free ski area, act exclusively on your own responsibility and move outside the liability area of the cable car company.

Below you will find some tips and information:

^* Third party offers and info, no liability on the part of the cable car company.