St. Anton – an epic powder adventure

St. Anton am Arlberg, best known simply as St. Anton, is a village in Tyrol, Austria. Famous for its extensive and challenging ski terrain, it's a favourite destination among skiers from all over the world – especially those looking for something more advanced.

"The resort offers a variety of steep slopes, deep powder trails, and plenty of off-piste opportunities," says Yannick Rumler, a press officer at Tourismusverband St. Anton am Arlberg. 

He adds that those who want a real adrenaline-filled skiing experience should head here.

"One thing is for sure: a lot of people say that if you can ski in St. Anton am Arlberg, you can ski anywhere in the world." 

1. St. Anton's big ski map 

St. Anton is part of Ski Arlberg, one of the biggest and most contiguous ski destinations in the world. The facility also includes Lech, Zürs, Stuben, Warth, and Schröcken. Using the Flexenbahn and Tunnelbahn lifts, tourists can easily move between all the different ski resorts — without taking off their skis.  

"Ski Arlberg consists of a large area with different slopes, which gives skiers and snowboarders more options and great opportunities to explore varied landscapes in the course of a day," says Yannick.

According to him, it is St. Anton's proximity to the Arlberg mountain range, with awesome opportunities for both off-piste and powder riding, that makes it a sought-after destination for adventurous visitors. 

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2. St. Anton for the family

The ski resort is not just for the wildest, however.

The large ski area includes everything from chairlifts, gondolas, and cable cars to conveyer lifts for kids and beginners.

"The heart of the Ski Arlberg Region offers more than 300 kilometres of marked slopes, 200 kilometres of off-piste terrain, and 85 lifts," says Yannick.

3. A long season in St. Anton 

In addition to varied ski slopes, the area around St. Anton is known for its impressive snowfall.

The season generally lasts from November to April, but if you're flexible, there are a few things to consider when choosing which month to go. The high season is around Christmas and New Year, from mid-December to early January – many people want snow and a white Christmas. The prices may therefore be higher than the rest of the season, so it may be worth checking other dates before booking your ski holiday. This is also the start of the season, and there may be some risk of little snow cover in early December.

A little later in January, larger parts of the ski resorts usually open with groomed trails and February is an even safer bet with good snow conditions and colder temperatures. March and April are considered the time with the best skiing conditions, with deeper and more stable snow. Easter is also a sought-after time in terms of sunshine and snow.  

4. Good restaurants in St. Anton 

The Alpine villages are at least as famous for their great atmosphere for après-ski parties and good restaurants as for the dream conditions on the slopes.

Picolo asked Yannick for his best restaurant tips. Here are the eateries you should check out, according to our local expert:

Hospiz Elm  

Located right by the slopes, has good sun conditions and views. Known for its good lunch and authentic atmosphere.

Sennhütte  

Full of rustic charm and Alpine-inspired dishes. Ask for a peek at its on-site wine cellar.

MooserWirt  

Legendary and somewhat notorious après-ski spot that you should definitely visit for a real party atmosphere.

Kaminstube  

Charming restaurant. A refined dining experience and beautiful views of the Alps.

Arlberg Thaja  

Warm and authentic Tyrolean atmosphere. And a large sun terrace.

5. Nearest airport: St. Anton 

It's easy to get to the ski resorts of St. Anton. The nearest major airport is Innsbruck Airport (INN), which is approximately 100 km away. You can then take a taxi, bus, or train to your ski destination.

Alternatively, you could also consider flying to Munich Airport (MUC) in Germany, which is approximately 250 km away, or Zurich Airport (ZRH) in Switzerland, which is about 200 km away. If you want flexibility, a car is a good option as the road network in the region is usually well maintained.

 6. St. Anton has it all 

To sum up, St. Anton has everything you could want for the best ski holiday:

"Overall, St. Anton am Arlberg's combination of challenging terrain, historical significance, excellent snow conditions, and fantastic après-ski culture makes it a unique destination for ski enthusiasts of all levels," says Yannick. We concur!