The 2025 ski opening in Salzburger Land

Start the winter season in style - with the Winter:Start Gastein 2025, the official ski opening in the Gastein Valley.

A weekend full of highlights awaits you from December 12 to 14: While the Gastein Sounds 2025 celebrates on stage, the Gastein Classics in Sportgastein ensure top sporting performances on the cross-country ski trail.

Whether you prefer to make your first turns on freshly groomed slopes , let yourself be carried away by the rhythm or cheer on top sporting performances - the Winter:Start offers the perfect start to the ski season for everyone. Secure your winter weekend in one of Austria's most beautiful ski resorts now.

When the snow covers the Gastein Valley in December and the mountains glisten in the glow of the lights, there's a special place where the music heats up:

The premiere of GASTEIN SOUNDS will turn Bad Hofgastein into the stage for one of the most spectacular winter events in the country on December 12 and 13, 2025 - presented by Hitradio Ö3 and Kronen Zeitung.

Directly at the valley station of the Schlossalmbahn, you will experience two unforgettable evenings full of beats, bass and wintery goosebumps. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Gastein mountains and embedded in the official Winter:Start ski opening weekend, ARCADIA LIVE presents the new open-air highlight of the pre-Christmas season in cooperation with the Bad Hofgastein spa and tourism association and the Gastein cable cars.

He is the star of the weekend - and makes Saturday evening the undisputed highlight of Winter:Start:

The exceptional artist CRO brings his greatest hits and a spectacular stage show to Bad Hofgastein. After sold-out arenas and his celebrated "CRONICLES" tour in summer 2025, the man with the mask is now the focus of the GASTEIN SOUNDS premiere. Look forward to a rousing open-air performance in the middle of Gastein's wintry mountain panorama.

CRO will be supported by BELLA, one of the most exciting voices on the Austrian music scene. With her mixture of melancholy, strength and urban self-confidence, she hits the nerve of the times - and brings emotional depth to the freezing cold winter night.

Friday, 12.12.2025 - SKI AGGU, SDP & IKKIMEL
The energetic kick-off is provided by Berlin hit guarantee SKI AGGU. With a laid-back flow, punchy punchlines and a Berlin attitude to life, he will get the first festival evening going. SDP, "the best-known unknown band in the world" will spread a long-lasting good mood and persistent catchy tunes. IKKIMEL, provocative, wild and fearless, will ensure a distinctive start to the GASTEIN SOUNDS weekend with their eccentric performance.

Secure your tickets:

• Online: oeticket

• On site: at all oeticket advance booking offices

Ticket options:

• Regular standing room tickets (for individual days or the entire weekend)

• Front-of-stage tickets for exclusive access to the stage area

• Comfort packages with fast lane, grandstand view, own bar, goodie bag & more

• U18 tickets for young festival visitors (6-18 years)

Please note: Unfortunately, children under the age of 6 are not admitted.

With ski areas up to over 2,600 meters above sea level and state-of-the-art snowmaking technology, Gastein is known for its high snow guarantee from the beginning of December. Ideal for the perfect start to the season.
From the family-friendly Schlossalm to the challenging Graukogel ski area and the extensive freeride slopes in Sportgastein: enjoy over 200 kilometers of pistes in Gastein - without restrictions.

After an active day on the slopes or in the cross-country stadium, Gastein offers pure relaxation: in the Alpentherme Gastein or Felsentherme Bad Gastein, you can recharge your batteries in the warm thermal water with a view of the snow-covered mountains.

To ensure that your winter:start in Gastein is not only eventful but also relaxing, you will find everything you need for your stay here. From cozy hotels and a comfortable journey to quiet moments away from the hustle and bustle of the festival, there is something for everyone.