Ski resorts
St. Anton: skiing on the Arlberg, après-ski and where to stay
St. Anton am Arlberg is where Alpine skiing became a way of life. Here are the slopes, the legendary après-ski and the hotels that put you right in the middle of it all.
There is something about St. Anton that keeps skiers coming back year after year. Perhaps it is the long, steep descents. Perhaps it is the après-ski, which starts while the sun still hangs over the mountains. Or perhaps it is the feeling of being somewhere Alpine skiing became a way of life.
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Where Alpine skiing became a way of life
St. Anton am Arlberg lies in Tyrol, Austria, and one of the world’s first ski schools was founded here in the 1920s. In 2001 St. Anton hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships, and today it is part of Ski Arlberg, one of the largest linked ski areas in Austria, with Lech and Zürs just a few lifts away.
The slopes: from Valluga to Rendl
Valluga, the area’s highest peak, offers sweeping views and challenging terrain for experienced skiers. Rendl, on the other side of the valley, is often quieter and a good place to warm up your legs. In between lie mile upon mile of groomed pistes and the off-piste terrain that made St. Anton famous among freeriders.
Arlberg Hospiz Chalet Suiten
The fire is lit, and the mountains wait outside the window.
The après-ski that made St. Anton famous
When the lifts close, the bars on the slopes above the village fill up. MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh are among the best known, where people dance in their ski boots before the last run down to the village. Later in the evening the streets calm down, with restaurants serving Tyrolean dishes and good wines.
Getting to St. Anton
St. Anton has its own railway station in the middle of the village, so you can take the train all the way. The nearest airport is Innsbruck, and trains run from Zürich to St. Anton.
Where to stay in St. Anton
Stay in the village if you want après-ski and restaurants within walking distance, or just outside it for peace and ski-in/ski-out access. Here are three hotels we would happily choose.
Schwarzer Adler: a spa in the heart of the village
A hotel with a spa, ski storage and a short walk to the slopes.
Book your stay: See rooms at Schwarzer Adler
Hotel Post: a classic with a full spa
A hotel with a full-service spa in the centre of St. Anton.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Post
Arlberg Hospiz Chalet Suiten: luxury in St. Christoph
Luxurious suites with a free ski bus and ski storage, just above St. Anton.
Book your stay: See rooms at Arlberg Hospiz Chalet Suiten
Want to compare? See all our ski resorts, our pick of the best ski resorts in Europe or read about skiing in Bad Gastein.
Frequently asked questions about skiing in St. Anton
Where should I stay in St. Anton?
Stay in the village if you want après-ski and restaurants within walking distance. Schwarzer Adler and Hotel Post both have a spa and a central location, while Arlberg Hospiz Chalet Suiten in St. Christoph offers peace, luxury and a free ski bus.
Is St. Anton suitable for beginners?
St. Anton is best known for challenging terrain, but it also has ski schools and easier runs. If you are a beginner, it pays to take lessons for the first few days and stick to the blue runs.
How do you get to St. Anton?
St. Anton has its own railway station in the middle of the village. The nearest airport is Innsbruck, and trains run directly from Zürich to St. Anton.
Where is the best après-ski in St. Anton?
The bars on the slopes above the village, such as MooserWirt and Krazy Kanguruh, are the best known. The party starts while the lifts are still running, and you ski the last run down to the village.