Steep runs, off piste paradise and party-hard apres ski. St Anton is a firm favourite with skiers who like to let loose on the slopes and get loose off the slopes.
Get to know St Anton
For many St Anton is the star of the show in the Arlberg, a big personality resort and a hot favourite with groups of skiers seeking adventure, with it's lively apres bars both on the mountain and in the town, a renowned freeride area with vast off piste and plenty of steep, challenging terrain within bounds too. Another feather in St Anton's cap is how easy it is to get there, it's a short drive or direct train ride from Innsbruck. Against the grain of most people's view of St Anton, there is also a peaceful side to explore with 80km of scenic winter hiking trails, a pedestrianised centre lined with shops and restaurants plus some excellent spa facilities, there is something here to please everyone.
At a glance
Ski area
Arlberg
Resort altitude
1305m
Piste range
1300–2811m
Lifts
2811
Green runs
0
Blue runs
66
Red runs
51
Black runs
18
More about St Anton
Apres ski
St Anton isn't short of Apres Ski bars and no doubt you'll sample your fair share of them while you're there however one you should know before you go, is Mooserwirt which has to be St Anton's most famous apres bar. Situated just above the Galzig bahn it's easy to get to after a day on the slopes and you're going to have a good time there, the DJ will be playing all sorts of Austrian apres classics, the staff are carrying trays laden with more beer than anyone should be able to carry topped with another tray of Jagermiester shots, needless to say, Mooserwirt goes off.
Skiing in St Anton
St Anton is often talked about as being an advanced ski area and there are some fantastic steep runs from to be had from the top of Kapall and Gampen but it's not all like this, there are some wonderful more gentle slopes to enjoy particuarly as you head over towards St Christoph, and Blue 100 down towards Stuben has to be one of the nicest long cruisey blue runs you'll find. It's also worth stretching those ski legs and covering more of the Arlberg's 300km by getting over through Lech and beyond to Warth and Schroken where you can enjoy some quieter runs, although you might need to plan your route to make sure you can get there and back again in good time.
Worth knowing
"Skiing as a family is expensive, but fortunately in St Anton under 8's can get a season pass for around €10! You'll need to collect these from the kiosk with an ID - and now that the kids have a season pass, why not come back to St Anton for that ever dreamt of second ski trip of the season? St Anton is easy to get to after all. A two hour flight to Innsbruck, a short bus ride will get you to the train station in Innsbruck from where you catch a direct train to your new favourite resort, St Anton. This train link also makes a day trip to Innsbruck really easy to do if you're looking for a day off the slopes to rest the legs.
The Arlberg is made up of a number of villages and while there is a great lift system to get you around the 300km of skiing, it's worth knowing that the ski busses can be used for free and they'll not only ferry you from one side of St Anton to the other but also out to Stuben or Lech so if you want to start your ski day a little deeper into the Arlberg all you need do is hop on the free ski bus."
Somewhere different
For somewhere a little different while you stay in St Anton, Sonnenkopf is well worth exploring. This small area is not lift linked but is part of the Arlberg ski area and accessible by taxi or better yet, ski down to Stuben and catch the public bus there. Due to it's height and positioning Sonnenkopf gets great snow and so has no snow cannons - and all that real snow feels good! Naturally Sonnenkopf comes into it's own when there is fresh snow with plenty of freeride potential and quieter pistes it's well worth a visit. Make sure to checkout the Kelobar on your way home, it's at the bottom of the slopes by the lift station.
Hidden gems
Après Ski
Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kanguruh are the big names but head down the hill a little and you'll find Base Camp sprawling out onto the slopes and our go to in St Anton.
Best Bite
You'll have to book, but head to the Underground for one of the most eclectic evenings going. Grab a sharing fondu and sit back and enjoy the shenanigans.
Spa
The Arlberg WellCom is amazing, all manner of saunas, fitness classes and massages, plus an indoor to outdoor pool, hot tubs and even a waterslide to help you unwind.
