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Event Details
Welcome to the Art on Snow 2027 in Gastein
Art on Snow is the major winter art festival in the Gastein Valley in Austria, where artists carve monumental sculptures from snow and ice across the ski areas of Dorfgastein, Bad Hofgastein, Bad Gastein and Sportgastein. The 2026 edition ran from 31 January to 6 February; the official tourism board currently lists the next edition as expected in early January 2027, with exact dates still unconfirmed in September 2026. Marketed as one of the largest art festivals in the Alps, it turns a ski holiday into an open-air gallery.
Highlights & Attractions at Art on Snow in Gastein
- Large snow and ice sculptures placed on slopes and at mountain stations throughout the valley
- Open-air studios where visitors can often watch artists carving during the festival week
- Works spread across Fulseck, Schlossalm, Stubnerkogel, Angertal, Weitmoser and Sportgastein
- A new theme each year; 2026 used Comic & Co., while the 2027 motto had not yet been published
- A festive opening with an artist gathering and music, most recently at the Schlossalm restaurant
- The Art on Snow Challenge via the SummitLynx app, collecting sculpture stops for prize draws
- Finished pieces often remain visible after the official week, as long as weather and snow allow
Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2027
Art on Snow usually lasts about one week in high winter. In recent editions, artists worked on site roughly from 08:30 to 16:00, and completed sculptures were freely viewable during lift hours with a valid ski pass. An opening get-together with live music or a DJ often starts the week. The 2027 theme, sculpture map and booklet will be published on gastein.com once dates are confirmed. This is primarily a snow-art festival rather than a multi-day concert event; music is part of the opening and side programme. Because snow and ice react to weather, the works keep changing from day to day.
Tickets & Admission for Art on Snow Gastein
There is no separate festival ticket: sculptures are accessible during the ski day without an extra admission fee. Most mountain locations still require a ski pass. For winter 2026/27, typical adult day tickets in the Ski amade main season were about EUR 70 to 82 at the ticket office, with online early-bird and afternoon tickets starting around EUR 50; youth and child rates are lower, and very young children often ride free. Buy lift tickets via the Ski amade shop and check 2027 dates on the official Gastein site before you travel.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Gastein
- Arrive by train at Bad Hofgastein or Bad Gastein, or by car via the Tauern motorway; ski buses link the villages and lift bases.
- January brings alpine winter conditions: wear ski clothing, gloves and sun protection, and use proper boots or skis when visiting slope-side sculptures.
- Book hotels and apartments in Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein early if you want the festival week plus spa time.
- Allow a full ski day to reach several sites; the challenge app is useful for tracking the works.
- Warm up afterwards at the valley thermal spas, and always check lift hours and avalanche reports before heading up.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
