St Anton is one of Europe's best ski areas, with extensive varied terrain, high annual snow fall and challenging on and off piste skiing.
The main St Anton ski area consists of the interconnecting mountains of Gampen (and Kapall), Galzig and Valluga to the north, and Rendl to the south.
Galzig
Much of the best skiing begins at Galzig (2,185 m), which can be reached directly from St Anton village via the main Galzig cable car or by skiing across from Gampen (1,850 m) and taking the Zammermoos chairlift. There’s excellent skiing above Galzig on Valluga (2,811 m) or Schindlergrat (2,605 m), with access to a number of classic red and black ski routes as well as fantastic views of the Arlberg and amazing off-piste options.
Valluga
From just below the Valluga summit, reached by cable-car, is one of the great intermediate skiing runs in Europe begins. The slope from the Vallugagrat (8,692 feet) is filled with hundreds of turns as you work your way down for at least an hour to the valley floor.
Experts can take the final section of the cable car to the top of the Valluga. Then after a difficult climb - if accompanied by a guide - they can ski down to Zürs.
You’ll find less nerve-rattling skiing further down, the massive mogul field off the Tanzboden lift, or take the Schindlergrat triple and choose to ski the groomed Ulmerhutte or challenge yourself on the ungroomed Schindler Kar or the Mattun. The village of St. Christoph, which sits along the crown of the Arlberg Pass at 5,904 feet, is the other ground station for skiing this side of St. Anton.
The blue and red runs offer great enjoyment and there is good skiing for beginners from the base at St. Christoph. St. Christoph now has quad chairs taking skiers up to the Galzig area.
Kapall
The other ski area on this side of St. Anton is the Kapall, a 7,629-foot summit with two blue runs to the Gampen midstation at 6,068 feet. From Gampen continue through the trees into town, or drop over the ridge into the Steissbachtal and take the last half of the Valluga run.
Rendl
When the crowds are too much or the snow turns starts to turn to slush, head to St. Anton’s third ski area, the Rendl (6,888 feet). The single 6-man gondola that serves these slopes is connected via free ski shuttlebus system or a 2 minute walk from the centre of St Anton.
At the top of the gondola is a wide, open ski area with good slopes for both beginners and intermediates. The Riffel I & II chairlifts allow intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders to head up to Riffelscharte (2,645 m) from where there are challenging on and off piste descents. Access to the higher slopes has been improved with the addition of a new 6-man chairlift, which rises to 2,390m. Once you have finished exploring the upper reaches take a drink at the Ice Bar on ‘Rendl Beach’ then ski the long red run back to Rendl base station
The mountain is shaded in the morning, which means it can be icy; however, by afternoon the snow is in better shape than in the rest of St. Anton, especially in the spring. The powder lasts longer here as well and there is some steep challenging terrain especially off of the top. The best intermediate run is from the Gampberg summit (7,895 feet) back into the village. Snowboarders will want to test their skills in the fun park.
This area is also the scene for après-ski activities. Sun worshippers flock to Rendl Beach to catch the afternoon rays and sip “Absolut Dream,” a Rendl Beach concoction made of peach schnapps and vodka.
Zürs and Lech
The ski resorts of Zürs and Lech can be easily skied together, but requires a taxi or bus ride from the centre of St Anton. There is no real connection between St. Anton and Zürs or between Stuben and Zürs - however when conditions allow, experienced skiers/experts with guts and accompanied by a guide, can reach Zürs by the north face desent off the back of the Valluga.
The free shuttlebus from Lech to Alpe Rauz, or the public bus from Lech to St. Anton (costs about €3 per person one way).
Either Lech or Zürs would qualify for resort status by itself, even if their lift passes didn’t cover the entire Arlberg. In Lech skiing is centered on the Oberlech region. This section of the mountain can be easily reached by a cable car and two chair lifts from the center of the town. A system of 16 lifts takes skiers further up to 7,799 feet. This area will keep an intermediate busy for two days, and off-slope skiing will challenge experts. Opposite Oberlech is the Rüfikopf area, reached by a high-speed cable car. From here experts can drop straight down the face to Lech, while intermediates can loop around or cruise down to Zürs.
Zürs is a bit tougher as far as marked trails go. All the runs from the top of the Trittkopf (7,985 feet) are rated intermediate. Once again, experts can make their own trails straight into town. The Madloch side of the valley has six long intermediate runs and three long beginner runs. However, you can venture almost anywhere on this side.
One of the great runs of the area is known as the White Ring, a three-hour circuit that swings around both sides of the valley, connecting Lech, Zug, Oberlech and Zürs. Take the lifts to the 7,997-foot-high Madloch Joch and then ski the red (intermediate) Madloch run around the back into Lech. To complete the circle, take the cable car from the middle of town to Rüfikopf and ski down and across to the base of the Hexenboden lift and then to Zürs. For Zug, detour off the Madloch and then come back up on the Zugerberg lifts. From there, it’s a red-rated (intermediate) cruise down into Oberlech.
Stuben
Stuben, small with only a few lifts, the best run is an intermediate, from the Albona Grat (7,872 feet). Stuben is connected with St. Anton/St. Christoph by the blue-rated trail from the Albona midstation to a crossover tow at Alpe Rauz. From there, take the chair lift to Pfannenkopf and work your way down into St. Anton.
Overall
Intermediates run the show in the Arlberg region. St. Anton is overwhelmingly red and blue on the ski map, with plenty of challenges that merit expert skills.
Although Lech and Zürs cover all the levels, prepared runs favor the intermediates on up. Experts will never get bored thanks to the wide-open expanses of off-trail powder that are among the best in all Europe.
Real experts can find off-piste and out of bounds places that will take their breath away. There is really something for everyone here.
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