Ski Slopes and Schnapps - The St. Anton Experience
- Trip And Zip
- Dec 29, 2007
- 4 min read
Choosing a skiing destination in Austria can be quite a complex task... 🙂There are dozens of excellent resorts, with almost every mountain village connected in one way or another to a ski area. Tourists can find perhaps the most comprehensive range of options here, tailored both for skiers of all levels and for après-ski fun or family-friendly activities. On top of that, the services are impeccable. Naturally, this attracts a massive and constant influx of tourists, and the resorts have developed accordingly. After all, Austria is now reaping the rewards of a clever strategy started back in the 1950s-1970s... but I’ll leave such observations for another post. 🙂
For those planning a trip to Austria and looking for a resort tailored primarily to experts, with an interesting selection of black slopes, off-piste runs, and mogul tracks, where après-ski fun is a daily must, and the infrastructure is top-notch, St. Anton in the Arlberg region should be a serious option. St. Anton am Arlberg (its full name) is relatively easy to reach compared to other resorts, with Innsbruck approximately 100 km away and Munich and Zurich around 200 km, all connected via motorways.
Once you arrive, you’ll find that St. Anton (1,304 m) is the main hub of a group of nearby villages, including Pettneu, St. Christoph, and St. Jakob, meaning accommodation options are plentiful across the area. The charm of the resort also lies in its separation from the highway, reducing traffic within the village itself. Like many German-influenced mountain towns, St. Anton features its own Dorfstrasse—the main street where much of the activity takes place. This is where most shops, restaurants, and bars are located. Personally, I found the restaurant offerings slightly more modest compared to other resorts, especially given that St. Anton is generally pricier than many Austrian resorts. I had expected more diverse options for both culinary enthusiasts and fans of fashionable shopping.
The resort seems primarily focused on two things: skiing and partying. I had an incredible time skiing in the St. Anton area! While I didn’t get to experience all 440 km of slopes, I spent unforgettable moments on the runs leading to the peaks of Valluga (2,811 m), Kapall (2,330 m), and Galzig (2,185 m). The slope descending from Valluga’s peak is particularly spectacular, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. For advanced skiers, St. Anton offers a thrilling challenge with plenty of variety and a comprehensive experience that feels inexhaustible within a single week. My overall impression was that the entire area provides exceptionally well-maintained slopes, pampering experts with snow parks, mountain restaurants, and cable car infrastructure that’s second to none. I fondly recall several mountain terraces where I basked in the sun, enjoying perfect weather and stunning panoramic views of the Alps.
A fun fact: St. Anton boasts one of the newest, most advanced, and most visually striking cable car systems. The Galzigbahn base station features a unique modern design with ingeniously combined glass and nickel panels, creating an aesthetic marvel.
For those looking to mix things up, St. Anton offers relatively quick access (30-45 minutes) to two other major resorts in the Arlberg region—Zürs and Lech, located on the opposite side of Valluga’s peak. These exclusive resorts are set in a postcard-worthy landscape. However, the “special” experience here primarily stems from the sky-high prices for almost everything. That said, the quality matches the cost. I’ll save the details of Lech and Zürs for another post.
Après-Ski Like No Other
When it comes to après-ski and partying, few resorts can rival St. Anton! 🙂 The fun kicks off right on the slopes around 3-4 PM and continues well into the night. We started our afternoons at MooserWirt Bar, Kangaroo Bar, or Senn Hütte, all located just above the village. But the options are practically endless. After a few beers or schnapps during après-ski, you can head “into town” to one of the many restaurants, bars, or clubs like Kandahar, Piccadilly/Post Keller, or Hazienda.
For the truly dedicated night owls, there are clubs open until dawn—for those who don’t plan on skiing the next day, of course. We, however, stuck to enjoying the vibrant evenings while still hitting the slopes the following day. 🙂
Where to Stay
Our choice of accommodation was the Rendlhof Hotel, and the family managing the property made us feel absolutely at home!
A Quick Side Trip
For those interested in a “one-day trip” without skiing, St. Anton is a great starting point. In no time, you can reach Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. While the weather wasn’t on our side during our visit, it was still an interesting experience. On the same route, I’d also recommend a stop in Feldkirch, a charming German-style town with a unique atmosphere, especially on a sunny day.
St. Anton combines thrilling skiing, lively après-ski, and breathtaking alpine views. Whether you’re an advanced skier, a party enthusiast, or just looking for a picturesque mountain escape, this resort delivers on all fronts.
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