for the latter, it is often identified with the Symphony No. 9 in C major (D. 944). Mass tourism was pushed by the opening of the Tauern Railway station in 1905. From the 1960s on the resort lost some of its former reputation and many former hotels sit empty. Recently, Bad Gastein renovated its Felsentherme in 2014. Places of interest Catholic parish church Gletschermühlen Felsentherme Gasteiner Heilstollen Gasteiner Heimatmuseum im Haus Austria Traditions Bad Gastein has vibrant pagan traditions that have been slightly assimilated into Roman Catholic tradition. One example of the pre-Christian Alpine traditions is the Krampus, now adopted as one of the Companions of Saint Nicholas. The Krampus is an elemental, horned and demonic character, playfully re-enacted by bands of male revellers during December and also once every four years during a Perchten event or Perchtenlauf. The Perchtenlauf happens every four years at Bad Gastein. The most recent was in 2014. Climate Bad Gastein has a humid continental climate (Dfb) bordering on a subarctic climate (Dfc) due to the town's high elevation. Summers are mild, sometimes warm with cool, refreshing nights. Winters are moderately cold and snowy, with annual snowfall averaging 136 inches (345 cm). Sports Beside its water treatments, the town is popular for winter sports. Bad Gastein hosted the 1958 World Championships in alpine skiing and regularly is a scene of the snowboarding and boardercross worldcup. The Bad Gastein and Bad Hofgastein ski resort is part of the larger Ski Amadé network, with Gastein valley having 4 ski areas with over 200 kilometers of downhill slopes. Many establishments on the slopes offer warmth, food and strong drinks. Since 2007, the town also annually hosts the Gastein Ladies tennis tournament, an International event on the WTA Tour, attracting top players like Julia Görges. Notable people Thea Hochleitner (1925–2012), alpine skier Hans Eder (1927–2008), Nordic skier Franz Xaver Franzmair (1901–1988) hotelier and builder, Freeman of Bad Gastein Hermann Greinwald (1927–1990) doctor and mountain rescue doctor Fritz Gruber (born 1940) local historian of Gastein alley and botanist Franz Schubert (1797–1828) composed after a holiday in Bad Gastein the "Gasteiner Piano Sonata in D major, D 850 (Schubert)" Karl Straubinger (1855–1924) mayor (1882–1917), freeman of Bad Gasteins Georg Thomalla (1915–1999) German actor Karl Heinrich Waggerl (1897–1973) author, freeman of Bad Gastein Erwin Wexberg (1889–1957) individual psychologian, doctor, student of Alfred Adler Eckart Witzigmann (born 1941) Austrian master cook, freeman of