SkiBro’s Guide to St Anton

Internationally loved:

St Anton is recognised as one of the Alps’ premier ski resorts and with good reason. Its 340km of pistes, which link it with neighbouring Lech and Zurs, among others, make it the largest linked ski area in Austria. Add in a superb lift system, wonderful off piste terrain, a lively and attractive village and world-renowned apres-ski and you have all the ingredients for an alpine classic.

There’s something for everyone in St Anton. There is no shortage of child-friendly ski facilities, making St Anton a great place for kids to take to the snow for the first time. St Anton really comes into its own for advanced skiers, with a wealth of challenging pistes and off piste skiers and snowboarders will be in seventh heaven. The Arlberg is consistently one of the snowiest regions in the Alps, and the off piste terrain on offer is world-famous.

The town is a mixture of new and old — of quaint chalet-style accommodation and high-end upmarket hotels. The streets are narrow and picturesque, and at the same time lined with boutiques and bars. St Anton is one of those resorts that has something for everyone. There’s a rich history of skiing at St Anton, and the town has grown accordingly. It’s just as easy to book a five-star hotel and languish in a spar after a day of skiing as it is to grab a reasonable apartment and party the night away.

What makes St Anton one of the best resorts in Austria to visit, apart from its size, great lift and grooming infrastructure, and world-class skiing, is just how diverse and friendly the town is. No matter what your tastes are, you’ll find it here. St Anton is a short drive from Innsbruck just 95km and just an hour away from the airport.

There’s lots to be said for getting away to a remote little resort somewhere in the mountains, but then there’s St Anton, which has everything you could ever want. And a whole lot more.

St Anton highlights:

Why we love it:

SkiBro’s been operating in St Anton for 5 years now, it’s a favourite for all our team and customers. A large town provides plenty of accommodation options, a lively apres-ski and nightlife scene, and enough restaurants to satiate even the hungriest foodies. And that together with 260km of skiing above the resort itself, another 80km on top in the rest of the area, and lifts reaching nearly 3,000m all make St Anton one of the most varied and crowd-pleasing resorts in the Alps.

St Anton is best for:

Everyone. Mixed groups. Those looking for great apres. Those looking for great skiing. Families looking for a quiet break. Families looking for a loud one. Those seeking powder, and those seeking groomers. St Anton has everything you could ever wish for.

SkiBro’s Ski and Snowboard Guide to St Anton:

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St Anton’s top lift reaches 2,811m and offers a panoramic view of the entire Arlberg area. You’ll be able to see the three distinct ski areas included above St Anton from here.

Heading out of town towards the Vordere Rendlspitze peak will give you access to the first area. Top lifts here reach 2,645m and offer up some amazing off-piste, a network of blues, as well as a whole lot of red terrain, too. The number 1 red that runs back to town is worth travelling up here for on its own.

On the other side, above St Christoph, you’ll find the same great mix of terrain, as well as a good number of blues for those progressing. St Christoph also has a good beginner area above the town if you need some more practice.

Directly above St Anton you’ll find the tp lift reaching 2,330m and offering up blues, reds, blacks, and unmarked trails for you to explore.

And this is much the story all over this resort. Every lift gives access to a variety of runs, and those which stretch higher into the mountains will provide a great number of off-piste options, too. Lots of unmarked reds snake down from the peaks, making St Anton a powder paradise. But unlike other resorts like La Grave, this is also perfect for beginners, children, and intermediates. A mixed group can have fun all over the place. Those with the urge to can climb high and explore the couloirs and powder, those shaking off a hangover can cruise the endless blues, and those just getting on skis can utilise the amazing nursery slopes and beginner facilities on offer.

The 260km of pistes in the St Anton are served by 41 fast and efficient lifts, and provide one of the most diverse skiing experiences on offer from a single resort. And if that’s not enough, grabbing the Arlberg area pass will give you access to Stuben, Zurs, Lech, Oberlech, Stubenbach, and Warth. All of which hold something special in their own right.

St. Anton for Beginner Skiers 

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If you are a first timer, St. Anton’s beginner area at the bottom of the Nasserein will offer some excellent slopes with magic carpets to learn your very first steps as a skier. However, as a beginner progressing on to the slopes, St. Anton wouldn’t be the optimal spot. Unfortunately the large majority of runs are difficult, even the blues! 

The beginners lift pass will give you access to all the valley’s beginner slopes and even the blue run that runs down from Fan chairlift.

 

St. Anton for Intermediate Skiers

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If you are a brave and confident intermediate then St. Anton will allow you to practice your skiing and definitely challenge you! The blues on Rendl offer a few options for the less advanced intermediates whereas there are many hard blues or reds in St Anton such as the Stuben area or Alpe Rauz, where you can truly put your skiing abilities to the test.

 

St. Anton for Advanced Skiers

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If you are an adventurous skier and looking to test yourself then St. Anton is the perfect place to visit. St Anton is definitely the home for advanced skiers and boarders, offering a large variety of advanced red and black slopes and even some challenging blue. In fact it is often said that St Anton’s blues are equivalent to other resort’s reds. There are also miles of off-piste routes to explore with many labeled ‘extreme’. Experts will have a ball ascending up to Valluga at 2,811m, and then taking the unmarked trails down. Or if groomers are your thing, you’ll find lots of blacks down from the Galzig, Gampen, and Kapall peaks.

In the St Anton area alone, you can find 18 itinerary runs – officially marked off-piste routes – as well as 6 black runs and 19 red runs.  If you fancy showing off your carving skills, the red slopes from Valluga down to St Anton will definitely put your skills to the test or the Osthang blue is an equally great piste to practice some fast carved turns. The famous Fang Run is a black slope reserved for expert skiers given it is both steep and filled with moguls. The Kandahar, is also a great black run that you can tackle in the Galzig ski area – especially first thing in the morning this slope offers some great snow!

 

Best Eats around Resort 

Fancy a pizza on the slopes? Head to Pizzeria Pomodoro where you can make the most of the great atmosphere whilst enjoying some of the best pizza in St Anton.
Rendl Beach is also a great spot offering a self-service lunch to be enjoyed in the sun on their terrace. Make the most of the live music, the view and of course the food!
For a more luxurious lunch experience, head to Verwallstube on Galzig or to the Hospiz Alm in St Chrisoph.

 

Après Ski – St Anton’s asset. 

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If you’re looking for typical Austrian après ski bars then head to the Moose Bar for the ultimate table top dance party, jeager bombs and beer steins! Here you can enjoy great cheesy music played by the one and only resident 64-years-old DJ Gerhard. Up the slopes is Krazy Kangaroo is another staple in the St Anton après ski scene party all night listening to some great pop rock music! This bar is located on piste, so remember you have to ski down before you’ve had a jaeger one too many!

For live music, Basecamp is also a great choice, located at the bottom of the slopes at the Galzig. 

If you’re on a budget then get yourself down to Bar Cuba for their daily happy hour, great music and even greater atmosphere.

Image credit to: St. Anton am Arlberg