[2006-01-26]

The ski area of Ski Amad in Salzburgerland in Austria is not only about skiing. The area has also developed a taste of afterski, spa and not the least, surprisingly good local wines. Our idea was to start in Bad Gastein in STS headquarter Salzburger Hof, test the thermal bath and ski to Grossarl. Ski the area of Grossarl and ski to Flachau, stay two nights and then go on to Flachau, stay two nights and then on to Pichl. We also included a day trip to Ramsau for snow shoeing and to see the view from Dachstein, the glacier on 2 700 m.

We discovered a huge ski area, with numerous ski resorts and an overall ski pass. Most areas offered good intermediate skiing opportunities with a lot of variety and good cross country trails, many cozy "on the mountain restaurants". Most afterski places may at first seem a bit "too much" but after a few beers and shots it feels quite ok.

But what struck me the most, is the number of spa facilities in every little village. From public thermal baths to saunas and pools within the hotel. Add various forms of body treatments such as massage, radium baths and mud masks.