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Almost every year I ski around Bad Gastein, a marvelous village located in the beautiful Gastein valley in the Austrian province of Salzburg. To put lines into the slopes is as amazing as its historic houses and hotels in the style of the Belle Epoque. And with one of these awesome homes I would like to bring to your heart and recommend as a perfect place for a memorable stop in winter or summer. Enjoy!

Haus August

When staying at Haus August, you are a guest of the Kritscher family: Ingrid & Carsten and their son August. The Berlin based family have been coming on vacation to Bad Gastein for many years both in the summer and winter, and 2017 they decided to make their dream of owning a mountain holiday home come true and bought the historic house from the daughter of a former local hotel director.

Ingrid Kritscher, says: “In 2010, I came to Bad Gastein on a ski trip with the Broken Hearts Club, a Berlin event series that I was organizing at the time… We threw a party at the Regina Hotel and it was a great event with many international, fun guests creating such a special atmosphere … I think, in that moment, we all realized that Bad Gastein radiates a certain magic. It’s a place where the profound history, the breath-taking nature, the creative talents that this place attracts, but also a certain mentality that people that live here have, can create space for wonderful memories.”

When asked what the motivation behind buying a house in Bad Gastein was Ingrid replies: “When we first viewed the house, it was a complete ruin but we immediately fell in love with the location and enchanting valley views the historic house offered. Bad Gastein is not a regular ski or spa resort. There is a special atmosphere here, with some great personalities who have made a significant impact on the place and who attract a more creative and stylish audience than the usual mass tourism. For us, the Haus August is a true project of the heart and not just a business.”

The house was built at the beginning of the 20th century in the typical style of the city. Bad Gastein has its own mountain style far away from the “classic” rustic lodge: a mixture of sophisticated, alpine chic mixed with Belle Époque elements. During the renovation of the house in 2017, the Kritscher family worked with great attention to detail to preserve this special style where historic elements were carefully preserved and restored. Natural oiled floors made of local woods radiate a cosy atmosphere and the mix of regionally sourced antique furniture tastefully combined with modern design offer a relaxed comfort.

Haus August has three apartments, each fit for up to 10, 4 and 2 people and the layout range is between 35-100 square meters in size. All apartments have their own terrace or balcony, from which guests can enjoy the view of the wonderful mountain landscape and nature hence why many guests choose to rent the whole house for friends and family gatherings. All apartments are furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and have new, bright bathrooms with a shower and free toiletries by the natural cosmetics line Reveilles. The ski equipment can be stored in the ski room and the shoes can be dried on the ski dryer in order to be ready for the next day’s skiing. There is parking directly in front of the house. If the guests don’t feel like cooking, there is always the possibility to eat or have a lovely breakfast in one of the neighbouring hotels.

The city center can easily be reached on foot as there is a hiking trail passing by the house. The ski bus is just 50m from the house by foot and the local ski mountain, the Graukogel, which offers one of the most beautiful and natural downhill slopes of the valley, is in 200m distance from the house. Other ski resorts that are easily accessible by bus or car are the Stubnerkogel, which is 5 minutes away by car, or the magical Sportgastein with more challenging skipistes.

Sigmund Freud once described Bad Gastein as a perfect place to recover from a hectic work schedule in “complete idleness and gentle boredom.”..so if you or someone you know are after a bit of more active nonetheless, well, then there is plenty to be explored.

HAUS AUGUST
Reitlpromenade 6
5640 Bad Gastein
Austria

More detailed information and bookings HERE.

NICE TO SKI YOU
Cheers,
Peter