This alpine village (839m/2,753 ft.) in the Gastein Valley is both a winter and a summer resort, its tranquil ambience attracting many who shun the more commercial Badgastein and Bad Hofgastein. Dorfgastein lies 85km (53 miles) south of Salzburg, 399km (248 miles) southwest of Vienna, and 8km (5 miles) north of Bad Hofgastein. It has an assortment of hotels and guesthouses, as well as an open-air swimming pool heated by solar energy. Note that this tiny hamlet doesn't use street addresses.
Dorfgastein is popular with Austrian families who, in winter, can park the small fry at a ski kindergarten and go off to enjoy the ski runs and slopes. In fact, the resort has many faithful regulars who resent its increasing popularity. The ski circus comprising Dorfgastein and Grossarl offers four chairlifts and 15 T-bar lifts to slopes of varying skill levels. There's also a natural toboggan run and a curling rink. A Gastein ski pass is valid for all cable cars and lifts in the Gastein Valley, and the ski bus is free.
