We are pleased to announce that Ski H3 will be going to Austria in 2026, thanks to the generous support of our first official sponsor, Cum Chowder.

When Ski H3 was looking for a destination to top two beautiful years in Slovakia, one destination stood heads and shoulders above the rest: Bad Hofgastein. The jewel of Austria’s primo ski-region, the Gastein valley.

What could be more glorious than powder days in the Alps, overflowing tankards of beer, and thermal baths awaiting in the evenings to take the stiffness out of the old bones? Not much. The only trouble was that we weren’t sure if were biting off more than we could chew. Enter (*ahem*) Cum Chowder, who upon overhearing our discussion immediately said: “Let’s do this. Tell me what it will take to make this happen!”

Thanks to the generous support of Cum Chowder, hasher extraordinaire and our first official Ski H3 sponsor. We had been eying Austria’s primo ski-region as our next European ski destination – powder days in the Alps, tankards of cheap beer, hot tubs and thermal baths to unwind in – but we weren’t sure we could swing it. That all changed after a late night brainstorming session which birthed this unique sponsorship, and now we’re headed to the Gastein valley. Buckle Up!

Dates Ski Week: Bad Hofgastein Austria:  Saturday, February 28th - Saturday, March 7th 2026

Bad Hofgastein Ski Region 

Why did we pick Bad Hofgastein? Well besides 2 connected ski areas offering 97k of beautifully groomed piste, Bad Gastein is a world-famous resort and spa town nestled in the Austrian Alps. Bad Hofgastein offers some incredible skiing for beginner and intermediates. Advanced skier that love ducking off-piste will find amazing powder stashes that abound. Your ski pass also includes Sportgastein an international destination for freeride skiers and a free ski bus will take you there. The ski bus also connects us to two other ski areas that are include on your ski pass offering over 200k of piste on one pass.  Our hash hotel is a classic family owned four star hotel offering a wonderful daily breakfast buffet and sit down dinner each night. The hotel is a short 10 min walk to the gondola or grab the ski bus that stops right out front. The thermal spa is a beautiful 7 min walk and your standard ski and stay rego includes 1 day entry. Ski and Spa and Spa only packages are also available on this trip.

Getting to Ski Week 

Another reason we chose Bad Hofgastein is the simplicity of getting there. There are several direct trains from Munich to Bad Hofgastein daily and you can pre-arrange with the hotel for pickup at the train station. If you don't want to manage planning ahead there is a city bus and plenty of taxis available for the 20 min ride from the train station to the hotel. If you want the super bougie trip you can arrange private drivers from Munich to Bad Hofgastein and not have to lug your skis on and off the trains. You are on your own for arranging your travel to the hash hotel this year. Many domestic airlines offer direct flights from the east coast to Munich daily making it a logical choice for 2026. If you time it right you can stay and extra night or two in Munich and hash with Munich H3. They run on Sunday. Ski week is Saturday to Saturday for 2026.   

I have not arranged any lodging/hash hotel group discounts yet for Munich or Salzburg. There is a survey as to where folks would like to pre-lube. Most of us on this trip have not been to Salzburg so it might be fun to pre-lube in a new city. Salzburg is on the same train to the event. Once we have pre-lube city nailed down I will work on getting a hash hotel group rates for the kick-off city.

Refunds and Cancellations:

• Full refunds will be issued minus €100 up until Oct 25th 2025.

• Oct 26th - January 3rd - 50% of all payments you have made will be refunded.

• After January 3rd no refunds will be provided.

Trip and Travel Insurance
It is highly recommended you purchase supplemental travel/trip insurance.
Skiing is a high risk sport and having insurance that can medivac you out of Jasna to a larger hospital in Vienna, Bratislava, Krakow, Munich, or even back to the USA is highly recommended. Your US based insurance may or may not cover your care in the EU. The hospitals will make you guarantee payment prior to treatment so have all your international insurance card numbers with you and make sure you are covered before you are in the hospital and trying to figure out how to make an international call from the hospital. 

Munich is the easiest and most direct airport to the hash event.
Hashers will start rolling through the Munich airport on Thursday and Friday
I suspect many will enjoy Munich's history and beer gardens. Nothing is formally organized at this time. If you have an idea post it. I am sure other hashers would love to join you on your adventure. 

The prelube city is Salzburg - Sloppy is putting on a trail for us. There are direct trains all day long from Munich to Salzburg.

For many of you, Munich is a tried and true city so we decided to go to Salzburg and see something new. Sloppy has a pre-lube rego and the Radisson Blu is the hash hotel. To rego for Sloppy's prelube: https://tinyurl.com/yc3ckskm

Check in is at 2pm on Saturday at the hotel.
Feel free to make your own way to the hotel or bunch up with your favorite hashers and drink some fantastic beer on your 3 hour train journey.
Several direct trains daily from Munich, or Salzburg to Bad Hofgastein.
Train tickets and transit are not being organized by mismanagement. You are on your own to sort this out. Check train times before you book your flights! 

The 4 star hotel is in a beautiful location with the ski bus stop right out front or an easy 10 min walk to the gondola. The huge thermal spa is a 7 min walk from the hotel.  Breakfast and Dinner served daily with gluten free and vegan options available.

The ski area offers wonderful on mountain huts for several dining experiences at affordable prices. This is not Vail, you can afford a beer and lunch without selling a kidney. 

A short social trail to the thermal spa the region is known for.