St.Anton

The St.Anton ski resort is located in the Tyrolean Alps, approximately in the central part of the Arlberg region. It was here where the legendary athlete and instructor Hans Schneider founded the world’s first modern skiing school in 1921. Seven years later, the Arlberg-Kandahar Race started at the resort for the first time and in 2001 it became the venue for the World Championship in Alpine Skiing. Today St. Anton is part of the prestigious international organization “Best of the Alps”, which unites the best alpine resorts in Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany and Italy.

How to get there

The closest route is from Innsbruck, which is located about a hundred kilometers from the resort. You can take the Eurocity high-speed train from there directly to St. Anton Train Station. In the same way, vacationers arrive at the resort from other large cities: Zurich and Munich, with the only difference that the journey takes twice as long. Alternative options are: to take a dedicated bus at Munich International Airport, to book a direct transfer or to rent a car. However, it is necessary to take into account the weather conditions, since during heavy snowfalls some passes may be closed. And the most interesting way to travel to St. Anton is on the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express tourist train (although such a trip is not available to everyone because of the high cost).

Runs 

The skiing season at the resort lasts from early December to late April. During winter snowfalls, the snow level can reach seven meters and in warmer periods, the slopes are kept in perfect condition with the help of snow cannons. The total length of runs reaches 278 km, 110 km of which are blue, 138 km are red and 30 km are black. The slopes are served by dozens of cabins, chairlifts and drag lifts, and there are also several high-speed funiculars. Six lifts deliver skiers to the slopes directly from the center of the village. The maximum difference in altitude between the ski areas of the resort is more than 1500 meters. The highest point is the Valluga peak, where the region’s longest run begins, which is 10 km long.

St. Anton is aimed primarily at those who are already completely confident in their abilities and yet there are also some good slopes for beginners. Relatively easy slopes are found in the Rendl area and on the southeastern slopes of Mount Galzig. Also the blue slopes 4 and 8 are suitable for beginners. Skiers and snowboarders of the average level should try the long slope from the Ulmer Hütte summit, the relief slopes no. 21 and no. 22, the blue slopes from Kapall mountain to the Gampen station and the hilly and steep slope no. 17. Experienced pros will appreciate the fast black piste no. 2, the hilly slope no. 35 and of course the classic Karl Schranz piste, named after the resort’s first instructor. The slopes of Valluga Grat and virgin lands in the Albona area are recommended for freeriders. There is also an interesting descent towards Zürs, but it is better to go there in the company of a guide.

Snowboarders at the resort are not deprived of attention: the Rendl Beach fan park is equipped with a halfpipe, quarterpipe, jumps, rails, kickers and many other elements for performing tricks. Lovers of flat skis will appreciate the availability of cross-country runs, the longest of them is called Stanzertal and has a length of 22 km.

The largest and most popular of the five ski schools in the resort is Skischule Arlberg, the one that Schneider founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It employs more than three hundred instructors. Snowboarders can be trained both at one of the ski schools and at the Snowboard Academy. There is a separate ski school for children from 4 years old.

Ski-passes and equipment

The price for an adult ski pass is 60 euros per day, a child’s ski pass costs 35 euros per day and there is also a separate teenage ski pass (17-20 years old) at a cost of 53 euros per day. The weekly pass will cost € 350 for adults, € 305 for teens and € 210 for children. The prices for a seasonal ski pass are 885 euros, 750 euros and 505 euros, respectively for the age categories.

Renting skis or snowboards for a day will cost about 40 euros and around 150 euros for a week. Alber Sport, Intersport Arlberg, SkiWest and Sport Jennewein are the most popular rental points.

Accommodation 

The best hotels in St.Anton are the five-star Raffl’s St.Antoner Hof and Arlberg Hospiz. The first is located in the center of the town, the second is on the Arlberg Pass, next to the lifts. Both hotels offer an indoor pool, fitness room, Finnish sauna and spa services. At Raffl’s St.Antoner Hof each room is equipped with an open fireplace. Among the four-star hotels, guests of the resort highly rate Arlmont, Antony’s Life & Style, Wellness & Beauty Hotel Alte Post. More budget accommodation options are worth looking for among the many family apartments.

Recreation and entertainment

The village has all the types of recreation typical for a ski resort: saunas, spa, fitness and gyms, swimming pools and massage parlors. Daredevils who have retained their strength after skiing can test their strength in mountaineering – in the Rendl area there is a climbing slope that rises to an altitude of 2730 meters. Families and leisure enthusiasts will love the 4.3 km of the illuminated toboggan run. Well, supporters of a cultural entertainment program should look into the local museum, where a lot of exhibits have been preserved, telling about important milestones in the development of Alpine skiing.

The first place is occupied by Verwall Stube among the mountain restaurants, which serves traditional Austrian cuisine. The most famous in the village is the fashionable Hospiz Alm. Italian and Asian cuisine is presented at Benvenuto.

The evening (or even the whole night) at the resort can be while away in the bars Piccadilly, Cuba and Underground. The iconic nightclubs Kandahar or Mooserwirt. The loud music and fun continues until the early hours of the morning at Murrmel.

Resume

St.Anton has a vast skiing region with a large selection of pistes, especially for experienced skiers. An extensive network of lifts opens up opportunities for ski safari and off-piste skiing. The atmosphere of the resort is quite lively, at times noisy, which may be a disadvantage for some. An even bigger disadvantage is the high prices. But skiers with a high skill level, as well as gourmets, comfort and fashionable parties lovers will definitely like it here.