Sustainability on vacation

Vacation with good conscience

Sustainability is a decision. And every step we take to harmonize a good recreational space for guests, a good living space for the population and a good economic space for businesses encourages us to continue on this path.


We take the responsibility for the balance with nature very seriously. In doing so, we are guided by two guiding principles:

  • To use what is already there is the first premise. It starts with the Tauern Railway, which opened up the valley more than 100 years ago. Trains stop in all three towns of the Gastein Valley. And it continues with the natural resources that make up the region. The best example is the 5 million liters of hot thermal water that spring up daily at the foot of the Graukogel. The water is used for healing treatments, for swimming in the Felsentherme and the Alpentherme, and also for heating businesses. The radon-thermal steam bath, for example, has been heated with thermal water for 30 years.
  • The second important claim is transparency, information and exchange. The Gastein Valley is an economic and recreational area. Only if businesses and politicians know from each other what activities are being considered, planned or already implemented in the area of sustainability, can we learn, use synergies and take big steps. 

adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS

Back in 2017, Gastein submitted a sustainability concept in the pitch for the adidas TERREX INFINITE TRAILS running event. Running on existing trails, using local infrastructure, avoiding waste and involving the regional economy won the Gasteinertal valley the bid. The event is optimized year after year in terms of sustainability. In 2022, the province of Salzburg will even provide athletes with free public transport to get there.

Zug im Bahnhof

Travel by train

Those who really want to live sustainability are usually faced with major challenges when it comes to the question of a vacation, starting with the journey. The Gastein Valley has been accessible for more than 100 years by the Tauern Railway and is therefore very easy to reach from the north and from the south without a car. All three towns have a train station and trains stop in all three towns.

In Bad Hofgastein is the "last mile", solved with public bus transport. In Dorfgastein as well as in Bad Gastein the train station is within walking distance of the village centers.

Car sharing

As far as local mobility is concerned, there is a lot going on in Gastein in terms of sustainability.
In addition to a wide range of scheduled, ski and city buses, the valley is relying on e-car sharing as an additional mobility service for guests. What started in the fall of 2022 with one vehicle at Gasteiner Bergbahnen AG was expanded after just a few weeks to 4 cars at various locations (Schlossalmbahn, Alpentherme x 2, Gipfelblick Chalets) and is expected to offer a fleet of around 25 vehicles valley-wide in its final expansion.

Via the BÄM Mobility app, the cars can be rented for 6.50 euros or 4.20 euros (with climate ticket) per hour.

 

Locations:

  • Schlossalmbahn Schlossalmplatz 1, Bad Hofgastein
  • Alpentherme Gastein 2 Autos: Senator-Wilhelm-Wilfling-Platz 1, Bad Hofgastein
  • Gipfelblick Chalets, Wasserfallgasse 17,  Bad Hofgastein

  • Hotel Blü, Kaiser-Franz-Platz 1, Bad Hofgastein

  • Impuls Hotel Tirol, Grünlandstrasse 5, Bad Hofgastein

Vertical Link

The town of Bad Gastein, with its special topographical features, has developed a mobility concept that is forward-looking and will make it easy for guests to do without their cars on vacation. An underground tunnel with moving walkways will connect the town center with neuralgic points such as the train station or the valley station of the mountain railroad. A good public transport system will ensure connections to the outskirts of the town.

Realized projects in Gastein

Starting with technology and ending with regional product cycles, some projects have already been realized, some are in progress and many important steps will follow.

Gastein's Winter Lifts

Snowmaking strategy

  • With the help of GPS snow depth measurements, it is possible to determine exactly how many m3 of snow are on the slope and how much needs to be covered with new snow
  • Snow fences prevent the snow from being blown away by the wind, which means that less snowmaking is required
  • In addition, water and electricity consumption is reduced

Renewable energy

  • On the roof of the Schlossalm valley station is a large-scale solar plant which, with a heat pump and a ground storage tank, supplies almost all the station's heating and hot water requirements
  • Solar energy is also produced on the roof of the Weitmoserin and on the roof of the Stubnerkogelbahn valley station
  • The cable cars produce their own electricity with photovoltaic
  • 100% certified green electricity and is mainly purchased from Salzburg AG as well as E-Werk Bad Hofgastein
  •  In Sportgastein this works through heat recovery: permanent evaluation and analysis of the energy development 
  • energy-saving measures, such as the replacement of heating systems and lighting fixtures

Climate-friendly initiatives

  • In the associated areas on the mountain, active attention is paid to forest maintenance, reforestation and soil activation
  • Visitors are informed about the nature reserves on site
  • The storage ponds are filled to approx. 80 % with meltwater

Climate friendly journey

  • Travel by train to the Stubnerkogel is ideal, because in Bad Gastein the train station is located right next to the valley station
  • In winter the ÖBB Kombi-Ticket is offered, where the ski pass and the train ticket are inexpensive and climate-friendly at the same time
  • Winter sports enthusiasts can use the public transport system in the Gastein Valley free of charge together with their ski pass
  • E-charging stations are available on site for climate-friendly travel by electric car

Alpentherme

On the way to the "zero-emission thermal spa

  • 2020 Adaptation of the entire system hydraulics and swimming pool ventilation, including enlargement of the heating coils.
  • By adapting the system hydraulics, a large part of the required heat energy is generated by means of a low-temperature heat pump. As a result, the Alpentherme has a CO² reduction of almost 370 tons/year and cost savings per year of approx. 82,000 €.
  • In the future, the entire heat supply is to be based on renewable energy sources

Thermal water

  • The natural heat of the thermal water helps to save energy
  • Thermal water that is no longer needed is collected in the spa's own retention basin
  • The thermal water is reused for heat generation and heats the Alpentherme
  • The ice rink of the Alpenarena also heats the thermal baths in winter
  • The required cooling for the ice rink generates heat, which is used as heating energy

Felsentherme

Arrival to the vacation

Cooperation with ÖBB:

  • Guests can book a discounted ticket at the same time as purchasing their ticket at the ticket counter or online via app
  • In principle, guests receive reduced admission upon presentation of a current rail ticket

Cooperation SVV:

  • When purchasing an SVV annual pass, guests receive a voucher as a thank you gift

Cleaning in the spa

  • 2x per week there is a cleaning day with only water to protect the environment (developed with AUVA and ÖGK)
  • Checking of all cleaning agents in the selection and dosage for minimum and ingredients with regard to pollutants.

Product procurement

  •  As a matter of principle, the Felsentherme pays attention to the shortest route when purchasing goods and high-quality, local products as well as for repairs or purchases.
  • The herbs for infusions and oils are grown in-house

Energy

  • Investment of € 1.7 million in 2017, in energy optimization (electricity, heat, insulation, technology).
  • Plans for 2023: Expansion of energy recovery through thermal water and photovoltaic systems.

Badehospiz

Technology

  • Exchange to LED technology
  • Optimization of swimming pool technology
  • Renewal of circulation pumps

Thermal water

  • Use of thermal water for heating purposes, including insulation

Bathroom equipment

  • Only economy faucets and shower heads are used in Haus Strochner, as well as in the main house

Waste + annual consumption

Waste consulting as part of the environmental service.

  • Total kWh / year 1,096,023
  • Total liters of water / year 3,463,000
  • Total kg waste / year 1,351