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Zermatt, a world-renowned skiing and climbing centre, is set in a deep valley enclosed between rugged mountains and dominated by the monumental Matterhorn (4,478 m). The resort is incredibly quiet and car-free, often bustling with pedestrians. There are  20 Hotels in Zermatt. The cobblestone paths of the village lead to ancient barns and chalets, revealing striking views of the towering Matterhorn. Today, the beauty of the setting is still unsurpassed.

Zermatt is encircled by a ring of mountains, including the Dent Blanche (4,356 m), Weisshorn (4,505 m), Dom (4,545 m), Gabelhorn (4,062 m), Zinal-Rothorn (4,221 m) and Monte Rosa (4,634 m). Skiing in Zermatt is invariably marked by majestic scenery and the predominance of cable cars soaring silently across vast chasms and directly up cliff faces. Zermatt’s three ski areas reach at least 3,100 metres above sea level, which means excellent snow throughout the season and impossibly long runs. Zermatt has the longest winter season in the entire Alps, with its skiing facilities open from late November to early May. The glacier area offers skiing all through the summer, as well. The resort’s longest run, at 13 kilometres, is from the Klein Matterhorn into town, offering 2,200 vertical metres of diverse terrain. Beginners will find several safe areas on the Zermatt ski map, although the broad runs might also turn out to be challenging.

The resort also holds great appeal for intermediate and advanced skiers. Intermediates are offered a wealth of terrain, tremendously long and varied. Advanced skiers are also taken care of. Boasting some of Europe’s most famous mogul fields, Zermatt is home to the National, Gant, Aroleid and the famous Triftji. No wonder the resort also has extensive off-piste territory. When it comes to après-ski, Zermatt also offers a wide variety of options. The quality of food and drink here is high, but throughout the town prices can vary immensely. When in the mountains, you might want to opt for the traditional little hut-restaurants, which offer simpler dishes at reasonable prices. Despite Zermatt’s popularity, the site remains a friendly village, where people chat on the main street. And even though it’s a largely upscale place, there are restaurants, bars and nightclubs to suit every pocket.

Set amidst Hohe Tauern National Park, Bad Gastein is a Belle Epoque town basking in Alpine sun and mountain air. Situated at 1,000 metres and boasting a very characteristic look with its trademark buildings, this ski resort started off as a ritzy spa town which mostly attracted a very upscale clientèle. Here,ski holidays based on relaxation and recharging in a high-altitude climate plus soaking in the thermal waters of the Healing Galleries of Felsentherme are accompanied by a vivid skiing scene.

The resort’s skiing area includes Schlossalm, Angertal, Stubnerkogel, Graukogel and Sportgastein. The Valley of Gastein is connected to Grossarltal via the Gasteiner Schischaukel. The Gastein Super Skipass allows access to all of the aforementioned slopes. Bad Gastein is famous for its always-reliable snow conditions, attractive runs, cross-country trails for beginners, intermediates and experts, and even deep snow slopes. In addition, the area offers some 90 kilometres of cross-country trails. Still, ski-in/ski-out isn’t easy in Bad Gastein, so you can often see visitors walking around in their ski boots.

Not quite designed for skiing, the town, however, has allowed for good storage facilities so that skiers can keep their equipment near the slopes. The on-site system of shuttle buses enables them to travel between various resort towns and skiing destinations. The resort’s 7th-Century thermal baths remain one of the major reasons to visit this area. Due to precipitation in the area of the Graukogel and Hüttenkogel sinking 2,000 metres into the ground and heating up, the Badberg area boasts 18 different springs, pumping out some five million litres per day. The thermal water, which has a temperature of 44 – 47°C, is collected in a tank, pumped to the water towers, and then supplied to the individual hotels and spas. Only one of the actual springs, the Elisabethquelle, is open to visitors.

Bad Gastein’s hotels have preserved their old-time splendour and lavishness, whereas the night scene, though a bit more diversified than in its prime, remains largely aimed at the top-end. The excellent casino is only one example of the resort’s broad programme of special activities. Bad Gastein also has a modest selection of attractions, such as the Gastein Waterfall, the town’s symbol and a frequent motif for a number of painters and poets. The Gastein Museum, set in the Haus Austria, emphasizes local traditions, while the Böckstein Mining & Open-Air Museum provides insight into the history of mining. The Prossau Forest Guesthouse is a regular starting point for walks to the famous Tischlerkar Waterfalls. Other sights include St. Nicholas’ Church, the Parish Church and the Maria of the Good Counsel Pilgrimage Church in Böckstein, as well as the Grand Hotel de l’Europe, which was constructed in 1906.