The best places to stay, eat, drink and ski in Austria’s favourite ski resort
St Anton ranks among the top five resorts in the Alps for good reason. Situated in Austria’s Arlberg region within the state of Tyrol, it stands as Austria’s largest interconnected ski area with swift lift connections to nearby Lech.
Boasting one of Europe’s snowiest climates, St Anton offers 305km of diverse slopes, 200km of off-piste trails, and challenging terrain aplenty. Complementing its stellar ski conditions is a highly efficient lift system and a charming town brimming with stylish hotels, chalets, and restaurants.
For essential insights into the resort, scroll below for details, including insider tips for navigating the slopes, expert reviews, and practical advice. For further exploration of St Anton, delve into our guides covering the best accommodations, dining spots, and après-ski experiences.
Within the Resort
St Anton am Arlberg enjoys a strategic location within two hours’ drive of three international airports and features a central railway station, ensuring easy accessibility. Once there, the resort is compact enough for exploration on foot or via free public buses. Notably, St Anton holds a significant skiing heritage, being the birthplace of modern skiing pioneer Hannes Schneider.
Renowned as the spiritual home of après-ski, St Anton boasts legendary venues such as Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh on the slopes above town, offering some of the Alps’ liveliest nightlife.
Despite expansions over the years, St Anton retains its authentic charm as a quintessential Tirolean mountain village. The pedestrian-friendly Dorfstrasse runs through the heart of town, lined with centuries-old timber and stone farmhouses housing hotels, eateries, shops, and bars. Dominating the skyline is the 17th-century onion-domed church, a testament to the town’s enduring character.
Hotels primarily cluster in the village center, within easy reach of the main lifts, while chalets are spread further out, notably around Nasserein, some offering ski-in/ski-out convenience.
For those without spa facilities in their accommodations, the Arlberg WellCom provides an excellent alternative. Located near Gampen mountain, a short stroll from town, this modern facility features indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, massage services, a fully equipped gym, and wellness classes like yoga and pilates. With reasonable prices and a cozy café, it’s an ideal retreat after a day on the slopes.
St Anton is a haven for gastronomes with a penchant for fine dining. Mountain restaurants boast scenic terraces perfect for sunny days, especially on Rendl. In town, a diverse culinary scene offers everything from Thai cuisine to Austrian tapas.
On the Slopes
St Anton has earned its cult status among advanced skiers and snowboarders thanks to its reliable snowfall, expansive Arlberg ski area (305km of groomed trails and 200km of off-piste routes), and modern lift infrastructure shared with neighboring Lech/Zürs and Warth/Schröcken.
The resort is particularly suited to strong intermediates and experts; runs classified as blues in St Anton would often be rated as reds elsewhere, while marked off-piste itineraries are tackled similarly to groomed runs. Off-piste routes are categorized into “normal” and “extreme” routes, with even the former requiring caution, especially for non-experts. “Extreme” routes are best approached with a certified mountain guide, ensuring safe exploration of the terrain.
Most of St Anton’s terrain is situated on the northern side of the valley, directly accessible from town. Mountains like Gampen and Kapall offer gentle beginner slopes at lower elevations, increasing in difficulty higher up. Across the valley on the southern side, the compact Rendl area provides varied skiing and quieter slopes.
A standout feature is the Galzig gondola, the world’s first lift with a ferris wheel system, transporting visitors to Galzig mountain and beyond across the Moos valley. Nearby lies St Christoph, nestled below Galzig, while the towering peaks of Valluga and Schindler rise to the east.
The Valluga I cable car ascends toward the top of Valluga, with the Valluga II offering access to the peak at 2,811m for adventurous off-pisters. Continuing northwest along Galzig leads to Stuben, offering access to quieter Albonagrat slopes. Further north lie the resorts of Zürs and Lech.
Beginners will find gentle slopes around Nasserein ideal for learning, while Rendl offers quieter terrain perfect for intermediates. Intermediate skiers can enjoy fast red runs from Albonagrat to St Christoph for practicing carving, while the challenging top-to-bottom descent from Valluga to St Anton tests even the most seasoned skiers.
Four major lifts connect St Anton to the Lech side of the Arlberg massif. The Flexenbahn 10-seater gondola links Zürs with Alpe Rauz in Stuben, a pivotal link in the six-minute journey between these resorts. On the Zürs side, the Trittkopfbahn I leads to a mid-station, continuing with Trittkopfbahn II toward Zürs’ Trittkopf sector. Alternatively, combining the Flexenbahn with Albonabahn II offers access to Stuben’s Albona sector.
Rendl hosts the Stanton terrain park, accessible via two lifts and overlooked by the Rendl Beach Bar, where freestylers of all levels can enjoy three distinct sections. The Proline boasts large kickers, pipes, and challenging rails, while the Medium Kickerline features jumps ranging from 7m to 11m. The Jibline offers an array of rails and boxes suitable for less daring riders. The park is reshaped daily, with natural pipes, corners, spines, and kickers depending on snow conditions.
Ideal Visitors
St Anton caters primarily to advanced skiers and snowboarders rather than beginners or tentative intermediates. Experts will revel in the resort’s challenging runs and extensive off-piste opportunities. While nursery slopes exist, rapid progression is necessary to access gentle blues further uphill. Families with children, however, will find ample amenities, including excellent children’s ski schools, a youth center in Nasserein, a variety of non-ski activities, and numerous family-friendly accommodations, chalets, and dining options.
Easily accessible by train with a central station, St Anton welcomes party-goers from cities like Innsbruck, drawn to its renowned après-ski scene.
