Ski Resort Guide: St Anton-am-Arlberg

Considered to be one of the best high alpine ski resorts in the world, St Anton presents a vast network of cable cars and lifts, spectacular beauty, reliable snow and excellent piste conditions.

St Anton is the largest ski resort in the Arlberg area, which also includes Lech, Zűrs and the villages of St Christoph, Stuben and St Jakob. Direct access to the ski circuit is also gained via Nasserein on the out skirts of St Anton.

Strictly speaking, St. Anton, St. Christoph and St. Jakob belong to the Austrian state of Tyrol, while Lech, Zürs and Stuben are part of Vorarlberg.

The most prominent point in St Anton is the Valluga summit from which runs one of the best and longest intermediate ski slopes in Europe, taking skiers all the way down to the valley floor. There are many more choices for intermediate and advance skiers in Lech and Zűrs, which also offer some of the best off-piste skiing in Europe.

Due to their north-facing slopes and position at the end of the valley, Lech and Zűrs offer uncrowded slopes and reliable snow.

The best skiing for beginners is in St Christoph or Rendl.

St Anton is also known for having some of the best snowboarding terrain in Austria, with a vast array of natural obstacles, steep powder fields and drop-offs providing for thrilling free-riding. Gampen, Kapall and Rendl are recommended for boarders; Rendl has a terrain park.

St Jakob

The quieter, St Anton neighborhood of St. Jakob, just down the valley and comprised mainly of guest houses and restaurants, is now more accessible to skiers thanks to the new Nassereinbahn gondola.

St Anton In Brief

Getting There:

Munich: 250km (156 miles).
Zűrich: 200km (125 miles).
Innsbruck: 100km (62km).
All major international trains stop at St Anton's own Eurocity railway station. Winter bus service available from Zűrich to Lech and Zűrs.

Altitude:

Skiing; 1,300 - 2,810m (4,270 - 9,220ft).
St Anton; 1,304m.

On the Mountain:

No of Pistes: 90: 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, 25% advanced.
277km (172 miles) groomed runs; 176km (109 miles) off-piste.
Direction of slopes; N/S/E/W.
Longest run: 10km.
Terrain Parks: Yes.
Half Pipe: Yes.
Cross Country Trails: 40km.
Mountain Restaurants: 20.
Snow making coverage: 103km.
Resort Ski Bus: Free with lift pass.
Linked Resorts: Lech, Zűrs. Day trips to Courmayer.

No of Lifts:

86 in entire network.
St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben: 3 Cable Car, 2 Gondolas, 17 Chair, 18 Drag.

Main Advantages:

Large ski areas; traditional alpine villages; snow-sure slopes.

Drawbacks:

Difficult beginner slopes in St Anton; Zűrs can close after heavy snow; Lech can be expensive. St Anton's south-facing slopes can get slushy by the end of the day, particularly in spring.

St Christoph

Eight kilometres up the road from St Anton is the pretty village of St Christoph. No more than a handful of large hotels at the foot of some gentle slopes, it is a popular base with families and couples looking for more tranquil surroundings, the convenience of doorstep skiing and with the quick high speed lifts, quick access to the amazing St Anton Arlberg ski area.

Lech and Zűrs

Lech and Zürs are only a few miles apart. Lech is a full-fledged town with more nightlife and shopping than Zürs.

Oberlech which is one of Lech satellites villages is only accessible by cable car and is described by the local tourist board as the “ski resort of the future”, because the only way in and out is on foot, on skis or on the lifts. Small and contained, lift ticket sales are limited so the slopes never get too busy. Oberlech features hotels and restaurants that are connected by a series of tunnels that keep the mundane deliveries of luggage and supplies completely out of sight.

Lech's other satellite, Zug, is a tiny, quaint village hidden away down a tree-lined lane and is perfect for families with small children and those seeking peace after 21:00 p.m. It is not a ski-in, ski-out area except for experts.

Zürs, only minutes up the valley, is a compact cluster of only 25 buildings, mostly luxury hotels. When celebrities go skiing in Austria, this is where they often stay.

Thanks to their location at the end of the valley and their exclusive air, Lech and Zürs have shorter lift lines and less crowded slopes than the St. Anton side of the Arlberg. From any hotel it’s less than a few minutes’ to the nearest lift and from there you can reach the four resorts.

Stuben am Arlberg

Stuben, a tiny and unpretentious village on the fringe of the Arlberg, it is quieter, with more moderately priced hotels.

The Albona lift rises in two stages to make the connection with St. Christoph and hence St. Anton easy. Because of its altitude it can be colder than the other resorts, but with around 12m of snow each winter Stuben is also the powder capital of the Arlberg. Stuben also has an advantage in the spring, when its' snow is still good while the snow in Lech and Zürs is deteriorating.

The Arlberg resorts may be ranked from most to least expensive: Zürs, Lech, St. Christoph, St. Anton and Stuben.