Ski Resort Guide
St Anton am Arlberg
St Anton am Arlberg Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
Few resorts can match St Anton's pedigree, with skiing being founded here over a century ago with the formation of the Arlberg Ski Club. Millions of skiers were taught the Arlberg technique, struggling to turn with knees and ankles locked together.
Modern carving skis demand the opposite. While ski design has been revolutionised, so has St Anton. Changes which accompanied the staging of the Alpine World Championships in 2001 saw the railway line and station shifted so they no longer divide the town centre from the slopes, modernisation of an aging lift system and the creation of a magnificent new sport and fitness centre.
In 2006/7, a new 24-person gondola replaced the old Galzigbahn. But the resort's soul is unchanged. Each evening its pedestrianised main street, lined with shops, hotels, bars and restaurants, throngs with skiers and boarders euphoric after a hard day on some of Europe's most invigorating slopes.
Modern carving skis demand the opposite. While ski design has been revolutionised, so has St Anton. Changes which accompanied the staging of the Alpine World Championships in 2001 saw the railway line and station shifted so they no longer divide the town centre from the slopes, modernisation of an aging lift system and the creation of a magnificent new sport and fitness centre.
In 2006/7, a new 24-person gondola replaced the old Galzigbahn. But the resort's soul is unchanged. Each evening its pedestrianised main street, lined with shops, hotels, bars and restaurants, throngs with skiers and boarders euphoric after a hard day on some of Europe's most invigorating slopes.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,304m (4,278ft).
Top elevation: 2,811m (9,222ft).
Base elevation: 1,304m (4,278ft).
Number of lifts: 85.
Number of runs: Over 60, plus many more marked but unpisted routes.
Average annual snowfall: 7m (23ft).
Where in the world?
The Austrian resort of St Anton am Arlberg is in western Tirol, at the eastern end of the Arlberg Tunnel and not far from Switzerland. Its highest peak is the Valluga (2,811m/9,222ft).
Hit the slopes
The season runs from late November to late April.
St Anton has a reputation for rough, tough terrain which is justified but sometimes exaggerated. There is certainly no shortage of challenges for experts (on skis or boards) but there is plenty for determined intermediates too. The skiing is split into two areas, one accessed direct from the village, the other (the Rendl) on the other side of the valley, which from winter 2009-10 is linked direct to the ski circuit by the new Rendlbahn gondola.
For advanced skiers there are exciting descents served by the Valluga and Kapall lifts. Some are left unpisted such as the wide Mattun run, which is magnificent in fresh snow and not so steep that it cannot be tackled by intermediates.
Off-piste opportunities are extensive and varied - with a relatively low fear factor on the Rendl to serious frighteners reached from the Valluga. You should always go with a guide when venturing far from route markers. While intermediates should not be deterred they should be aware that many of the resort's red and blue runs are steeper than average and are often mogulled.
There is a good terrain park on the Rendl. There are two ski schools, the Arlberg and St Anton.
St Anton has a reputation for rough, tough terrain which is justified but sometimes exaggerated. There is certainly no shortage of challenges for experts (on skis or boards) but there is plenty for determined intermediates too. The skiing is split into two areas, one accessed direct from the village, the other (the Rendl) on the other side of the valley, which from winter 2009-10 is linked direct to the ski circuit by the new Rendlbahn gondola.
For advanced skiers there are exciting descents served by the Valluga and Kapall lifts. Some are left unpisted such as the wide Mattun run, which is magnificent in fresh snow and not so steep that it cannot be tackled by intermediates.
Off-piste opportunities are extensive and varied - with a relatively low fear factor on the Rendl to serious frighteners reached from the Valluga. You should always go with a guide when venturing far from route markers. While intermediates should not be deterred they should be aware that many of the resort's red and blue runs are steeper than average and are often mogulled.
There is a good terrain park on the Rendl. There are two ski schools, the Arlberg and St Anton.
Beyond the slopes
St Anton has a superb wellness centre with pool, ice rink, tennis, saunas, massage, solarium and fitness equipment. There are 70km (43 miles) of cleared winter hiking trails.
The ski and local history museum, Rudi Matt Weg, sets out the history of the village and alpine skiing.
The new multifunctional sports centre arl.rock offers indoor tennis, squash, bowling, climbing, ice climbing and bouldering.
The ski and local history museum, Rudi Matt Weg, sets out the history of the village and alpine skiing.
The new multifunctional sports centre arl.rock offers indoor tennis, squash, bowling, climbing, ice climbing and bouldering.
Family fun
St Anton is more family friendly than is sometimes imagined. It is easy to ski back to the nursery/early learning area on the village side, where pistes from the Gampen and Galzig converge.
The Arlberg Ski School runs a kindergarten for two- to five-year-olds and introduction to skiing for three to fives with races and ski party. St Anton ski school also offers kindergarten and ski introduction (two to fives) and teaches five-year-olds and up techniques including mogul skiing, racing, powder skin and snow blading.
The Arlberg Ski School runs a kindergarten for two- to five-year-olds and introduction to skiing for three to fives with races and ski party. St Anton ski school also offers kindergarten and ski introduction (two to fives) and teaches five-year-olds and up techniques including mogul skiing, racing, powder skin and snow blading.
Retail therapy
There are plenty of sports/clothes boutiques and souvenir shops in the pedestrianised centre of the village. You can buy ski and hiking gear, traditional Austrian woollen jackets or wood carvings, for example.
Take home rowan berry or quince brandy, fruit liquors or Alpine herbal spirits in decorative bottles from the Drinks Company in the Fussgangerzone (Pedestrian Zone).
Take home rowan berry or quince brandy, fruit liquors or Alpine herbal spirits in decorative bottles from the Drinks Company in the Fussgangerzone (Pedestrian Zone).
Après ski
Before you've even reached the bottom of the mountain there's the famous or infamous Krazy Kangaruh - favoured by a young crowd, on the piste just above the resort and definitely not for those in search of a quiet drink.
Other choices include the trendy Anton Bar at Galzig lift station, Hannes Schneider Weg, which claims ‘no screamers, no jivers', with top DJs, snacks and a video wall. Bar Cuba, Dorfstrasse, offers cocktails, pannini and pies. Alibi, Dorfstrasse, serves up music and draught beers from Guinness to Wieselburger. The Kandahar, Dorfstrasse, has a disco plus Thai and Indian food.
Other choices include the trendy Anton Bar at Galzig lift station, Hannes Schneider Weg, which claims ‘no screamers, no jivers', with top DJs, snacks and a video wall. Bar Cuba, Dorfstrasse, offers cocktails, pannini and pies. Alibi, Dorfstrasse, serves up music and draught beers from Guinness to Wieselburger. The Kandahar, Dorfstrasse, has a disco plus Thai and Indian food.
Eating out
There's a wide choice of restaurants serving food ranging from traditional Austrian dishes such as venison and Wiener Schnitzel to Indian or Mexican.
The Hospiz Alm at St Christoph is a wonderful spot for lunch with an extensive wine cellar; it's best to book ahead. Evening options include Raffl Stube, Arlberg Strasse, or inexpensive roast chicken and curries at The Funky Chicken bar/restaurant, Dorfstrasse.
The Hospiz Alm at St Christoph is a wonderful spot for lunch with an extensive wine cellar; it's best to book ahead. Evening options include Raffl Stube, Arlberg Strasse, or inexpensive roast chicken and curries at The Funky Chicken bar/restaurant, Dorfstrasse.
Getting around
Ski buses run during the day and there are night buses to get you to and from restaurants, bars etc. Neighbouring Lech and Zürs (covered by the Arlberg lift pass) may be reached by car or a frequent bus service - or on skis with local guides.
Splashing out
Go heli-skiing or boarding in untouched powder with the Skischule Arlberg (www.skischool-arlberg.com).
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotel Raffl's St Antoner HofAntiques sit alongside contemporary objects and rooms are traditionally furnished with much use of wood, most with balconies. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna and Turkish bath.
Arlberg Strasse
Tel: (05446) 2910.
Website: www.antonerhof.at
Moderate
Skihotel GalzigA few metres from the Galzigbahn lift and the pedestrian zone, this b&b hotel has furnishings with clean, modern lines.
Hannes Schneider Weg
Tel: (05446) 42770.
Website: www.skihotelgalzig.at
Budget
Goldenes KreuzFive minutes from the village centre and three from the recently built sauna and steambath.
Dorfstrasse
Tel: (05446) 22110.
Website: www.goldeneskreuz.at
Getting there
Nearest airports: Innsbruck (INN); Zurich (ZRH).
Distances to resort: 100km (62 miles); 200km (125 miles).
Driving times: 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours 30 minutes.
Nearest railway station: St Anton am Alberg.
Distances to resort: 100km (62 miles); 200km (125 miles).
Driving times: 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours 30 minutes.
Nearest railway station: St Anton am Alberg.
Website
This resort is good for...
Families, Beginners, Après ski, Experts, Non-skiers, Snowboarders, Environmental awareness, Snow reliability, Intermediates
For a great selection of ski hotels, apartments and ski chalets in St Anton and other Austrian ski resorts visit www.igluski.com.
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