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St Anton Ski Holidays

Description

St Anton boasts an excellent snowfall record, a beautiful car-free resort centre with traditional Tyrolean architecture and possibly the most famous après-ski scene in the Alps. As of winter 2016/17, St Anton will also be part of the largest interconnected ski area in Austria, with new lifts offering improved connectivity with the Lech side of the Arlberg.

St Anton is perfect for groups seeking vibrant après-ski and nightlife, with a rich selection of bars, restaurants and rowdy venues. The ski terrain, meanwhile, is best for intermediate to expert skiers, with plenty of steep trails, 2 snow parks (1 in St Anton and 1 in Lech) and amazing off-piste potential. When the fresh snow falls, freeriding powder hounds will be in paradise – but please note that a guide is required in certain areas.

That said, the resort also caters to families with a number of chalets away from the noise of town centre. Arguably the best place for kids is the more tranquil Nasserein area, which has some gentle pistes and excellent family-only properties with in-house childcare and easy slope access.

Of course, with most of the mountain better suited to more seasoned skiers, families with young children and groups of beginners may want to consider resorts like Obergurgl (wonderful for families) or Mayrhofen (also great for lively après-ski).

Holidaymakers interested in St Anton can fly from a number of UK airports to Innsbruck, from which the transfer to St Anton is approximately 1.25 hours long. One can also fly from London Gatwick to Friedrichshafen, which is roughly 1.5 hours away from St Anton by road and 1.15 hours by train.

Within the resort itself, it’s quite easy to walk around – in fact, with such pretty traditional architecture, it’s a pleasure. There are also free busses, however they do stop quite early into the evening. After which, there are payable night buses (about €3.50) and taxis (roughly €8-12 for up to 8 people).

Getting There

If you haven’t booked a package where travel is included and organised for you then you will need to think about how you are going to get to and from resort.

Fly

There are five local airports to St Anton

Innsbruck – 100km - 1h30
Friedrichshafen - 1 30km - 1h45
Munich - 250km – 2h45
Zurich – 200km - 2h30

Salzburg – 300km – 3h30

Innsbruck is the most popular airport for St Anton, particularly due to the number of chartered flights. Zurich is popular airport for scheduled flights. Friedrichshafen airport is a new destination for winter charters and low cost flights.

Transfers from the airport

There are several companies who offer transfers to and from the airport. It is recommended to check transfer arrangements before booking flights especially if you want a shared transfer as these are less regular and you don’t want to be waiting around for hours at the airport.

Which transfer company you use will depend on your group size, flight times and budget. Our recommended transfer companies include:

Ski Lifts have been awarded the world’s best ski transfer operator in the world ski awards. They provide private and shared transfers from Innsbruck, Friedrichshafen, Munich, Salzburg and Zurich.

Taxi Matthias Airport Transfers are based in St Anton and offer a 24 hour service.

Taxi Harry provides private transfers from the airports to resort.

Train

Many people will choose to get the train from the airport into St Anton as there is a station in the centre. There are direct trains into the resort from Innsbruck and Zurich. If you are planning on getting the train from Friedrichshafen you will need to change two or three times.

Drive

It is not ideal to drive out to St Anton as it is approximately 14-15hours from the UK. If you do want to drive then it is recommended to take the ferry from the UK to Dunkirk or Calais. The cheapest way is to travel through Luxembourg, Germany – Stuttgart, Ulm – Bregenz – Bludenz – Anton however there can be lots of heavy traffic on this route so a more relaxed route through France – Calais/Dunkirk to Reims – Strasbourg – Stuttgart – Ulm – Bregenz – Bludenz – Anton. The French roads are more expensive due to the tolls which add up to approximately €45 but this extra cost is worth it for the clear stress free drive. To drive on Austrian highways, you will need a Vignette which you can buy at petrol stations near the border and cost approximately €8 for a 10 day pass.

When to Go

The Austrian ski resort of St Anton am Arlberg is one of the country’s prettiest and most charming mountain towns, and the traditional atmosphere here makes this the ideal destination for snow lovers looking for a winter ski holiday.

Christmas and New Year

The town pulls out all the stops to welcome skiers from across the globe, and visitors to the resort over Christmas and New Year can expect enormous festive cheer! Twinkling lights line the high street and adorn the shop windows, and a huge Christmas tree takes pride of place in the heart of the resort. The Christmas market brings local craftspeople from far and wide to sell their wares, and people mill around the town, sipping on hot mulled wine and enjoying the snowy, festive atmosphere.

Of course, there’s one huge advantage of spending Christmas on the snow - no Christmas dinner to cook and no washing up! If you book into a catered ski chalet you’ll have a host to do all the hard work for you, so you won’t have to lift a finger!

January and February

With the popular festive period done and dusted for another year, January typically offers wonderful conditions in St Anton – but with fewer crowds. Regular dumps of fresh snowfall keep the base snow levels topped up, though of course during depths of winter at high altitude in the Alps, strong winds and cold fronts can make conditions challenging. Our advice? Wrap up warm, pack that handy hip flask, and get out there to the snowy slopes!

The entirety of the Arlberg ski area is typically fully open and functioning at full capacity at this point, and St Anton’s famously rapid gondolas and chairlifts offer swift uplift into the slopes above the resort. As night falls, the piste-bashers groom the slopes to maintain the excellent coverage, and the lower temperatures of January and February make for wonderfully fresh and crisp runs each morning.

As February ticks round, eager kids look forward to swapping the classroom for the slopes during the popular half term week. Half Term in St Anton means longer lift queues and busier pistes, but the Arlberg is such a large area, and the lifts generally so swift, that once you’re up the mountain, the crowds disperse. The home runs can get a little congested at the end of the ski day, so as with any resort, caution is advised.

Spring in St Anton

When spring descends in the Alps, conditions change from the sometimes harsh winds of January and February to longer days, sunnier skies, warmer weather and, inevitably, slushier snow. Many of the resort’s pistes are south-facing and St Anton can suffer from snow melt a little more than some other Alpine destinations – but the high altitude and expansive slopes mean conditions are typically perfectly acceptable through to April.

Where to Stay

St Anton’s resort centre is comprised of three area: the Nasserein, the town centre (Dorf), and the Oberdorf.

Nasserein

The Nasserein area is the more peaceful part of the resort. The Nasserein offers good ski access to the snow sure slopes thanks to the eight seater gondola which heads to the top of the Gampen. The Nasserein has more of a village feel with plenty of accommodation; however the area is much quieter with very limited nightlife. It is approximately 8-15 minute walk from town so not too far for those looking to party.

Town Centre (Dorf)

Accommodation in the town centre is comprised of mainly hotels. Staying here means that you are in close proximity to the town and lifts but the ‘shush’ police operate a no noise policy after 10pm.

Oberdorf

Oberdorf is located up the hill to one side of the lifts and pistes. Oberdorf is a short walk from the town centre as well as the Rendle, Galzig and Gampen ski areas. There are plenty of chalets located here, is it approximately 8-15 minutes from town but there is an easy bus access.

Getting around

St Anton is comprised of several different villages which are all connected by a free bus shuttle.

If you are staying in central St Anton then you are able to walk to the lifts however if you are further up the hill then there are shuttle buses available to get you to and from the lifts

There are several buses that provide guests a comfortable connection between Lech, Oberlech, Zug and Zurs free of charge. The yellow buses between St. Anton/St. Christoph and Lech Zurs require payment. There is also a night bust that operates between 730am and 3am.

There are taxis to get you around the resort, we would advise to pre-book and agree on a price in advance.

Apres

For skiers keen to hit the bars and clubs, St Anton offers friendly, lively après – visitors can expect everything from traditional Austrian brass bands to foot stomping table-top dancing.

Après-ski time typically starts around 3pm with tasty gluwein and steins of beer in piste-side bars like the world-famous Mooserwirt. Within a matter of hours, a DJ will be spinning Austrian dance beats and the place will be jumping.

Aside from the Mooserwirt, St Anton’s selection of great après-ski bars goes on and on. Taps and the Krazy Kanguruh are real highlights, both sitting in the same piste-side location above the main run home. Popular amongst a pleasantly international crowd, Taps can often kick off like the Mooserwirt with table-top dancing and hefty, foot-stomping oompah music. The Krazy Kanguruh is one of the resort’s oldest slope-side bars and the atmosphere is great. Popular amongst the younger crowd, visitors here seem to enjoy the beers and tequila slammers in equal measure.

In town, Cuba, Basecamp, Bobos, Horny Bull and Anthony's are all great bars open late for those who want to kick on into the early hours of the morning. Cuba is a fantastic pick for those who enjoy a bit of pool or table football, while Bobos is more for rowdy party animals.

For something a little more low-key, the Basecamp sits near the Gampen lift and is a great place to stop for a beer in the sun. Whilst it’s not as jumping as other places around resort, Base Camp gets busy later on so arriving early is recommended to make the most of it while it’s quieter.

Eating out

From cheap eats to gourmet cuisine, St Anton is home to a variety of great dining options on and off the slopes.

Pomodoro is great for families with tasty pizzas that are bound to satisfy hungry kids, and Skiing Buddha offers wonderful Thai food in case the traditional Austrian cheese and sausages isn't your thing.

While it certainly may not be cheap, Museum presents absolutely superb gourmet delights in elegant surrounds – a fantastic choice for impressing that special someone. Aquila, meanwhile, is a nice quiet spot with a great variety of dishes.

Groups of mates seeking a good feed should try the Happy Valley Steakhouse for hearty ribs, burgers and the like, and Burger Stop is a great place to remember when you require some fast food after a night of beer and table-top dancing.

On the mountain, the Krazy Kanguruh provides huge portions of food to keep you fuelled through the afternoon. The Rodel-Alm, meanwhile, is a more peaceful option: a traditional hut over in the Nasserein area with a wonderful atmosphere.

Below, you’ll find a few top restaurants for families, couples and groups of friends, as well as some excellent on-mountain dining options.

Good for Couples

Aquila

Dorfstraße 62

6580

St Anton

+43 (0) 5446 2217

Good for Couples

Museum

Rudi-Matt-Weg 10

6580

St Anton

+43 5446 2475

Good for Family

Pomodoro

Dorfstraße 14

6580

St Anton

+43 5446 3333

Good for Friends

Burger Stop

Dorfstraße 60

6580

St Anton

+43 664 9145 313

Activities

As a traditional mountain town, St Anton offers just as much off the slopes as on them, and the range of non-ski activities is very good indeed. If there are non-skiers in your group, St Anton is certainly a resort worth bearing in mind.

Popular pastimes sans skis include tobogganing, indoor rock climbing and parapenting (paragliding). Parents looking to keep the kids entertained can try bowling and charming horse-drawn sleigh rides, and winter hiking is a very well-liked activity among St Anton locals and visitors alike. In fact, there are some 70 kilometres of marked trails around the resort to explore on foot, with well-signposted paths winding their way through the countryside – a truly wonderful way to soak in the beautiful mountain and forest scenery.

For some well-earned relaxation and pampering, Arlberg Well provides swimming pools, saunas, massage services and a gym. In front of the complex, one can also enjoy ice skating between the hours of 1pm-5.30pm and ice curling sessions between 6pm-10pm.

St Anton also boasts a weekly ski show, courtesy of the Skischule Arlberg, with fireworks at the end.

A trip to the resort’s tourist office will offer lots of useful information on resort activities, but here are a few ideas to start you off.

Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides

St Anton

+43 (0) 664 154 2974

Rock Climbing

Bahnhofstraße 8

6580

St Anton

+43 544 630 324

Spa & wellness

Hannes-Schneider-Weg 11

6580

St Anton

+43 (0) 5446 4000

Skiing Buddha

Bahnhofstrase 1

6580

St Anton

+43 5446 26252

Ski School

There are a number of ski schools in St Anton that offer a range of services from private clinics to group lessons catering for all skiing/boarding abilities. Group lessons are more sociable and normally work out cheaper however they are not as intense as one-to-one tuition. The majority of ski schools will be happy to talk through the different options available and assess your skiing ability to determine your level and which class will be most suitable.

It is advisable to book your ski school in advance as availability is limited and lessons may sell out especially if you are travelling on a peak week (Christmas, New Year, Half Term, Easter)

Skischule Arlberg was founded in 1921 by Hannes Schneider and has become an up to date service with offices in St Anton, Nasserein and St Christoph. Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, the Children’s World, cross-country skiing, off piste guiding or Funsport, Skischule Alberg have got it covered.

St Anton Classic is a private independent school run by locals. The school offers private skiing, snowboarding, ski-touring and cross country lessons.

Piste to powder provide off piste guiding in St Anton, Lech, Zurs and Stuben. Their experienced instructors will guide you to the best snow and terrain to help you learn and improve your skill.

New Generation opened in St Anton in Winter 2016 and offer fun and intuitive lessons.

Getting around

St Anton is comprised of several different villages which are all connected by a free bus shuttle.

If you are staying in central St Anton then you are able to walk to the lifts however if you are further up the hill then there are shuttle buses available to get you to and from the lifts

There are taxis to get you around the resort, we would advise to pre-book and agree on a price in advance.

Family ski

St Anton has a reputation for wild après ski and crazy table top dancing so it’s no surprise that families with children may be a bit apprehensive about visiting the resort as it is not seen as being particularly family friendly. However, these days the resort is coming along leaps and bounds regarding its suitability for families and children.

The Nasserein side of St Anton is a peaceful haven away from the bars and clubs in the town centre. The Nasserein has its own selection of shops and the gondola is close by offering easy ski access.The nursery slopes and ski school meeting point are are located in the Nasserein so it is the ideal place to stay for families bringing children.

The resort centre is also car free so children can run around and explore safely.

There are several options for families looking for childcare. Families can choose to use a local crèche, in-house childcare provided by the tour operator or a private nanny service. It is recommended to book childcare in advance especially if you are travelling during school holidays as demand is high and you will want to have you place secured to avoid disappointment.

Crèche Facilities

Skischule Alberg have a kindergarten team in the Childrens’ World which take care of children from 2.5 years.

In-house childcare

In-house childcare is often the easiest and most convenient form of care as families generally prefer to book with an operator who offer a crèche with English speaking staff and provide similar style childcare that you would receive in the UK

The tour operators offer a range of childcare for all ages and you can book as much or as little throughout the day as you feel comfortable with. The operator runs a structured day of activities including ski school suitable for each age group.

Espirit offer a range of childcare from 17 months and ski lessons from 3 years in the following chalets:

Chalet Pepi Gabl
Chalet Janus
Chalet Thebe
Chalet Larissa
Chalet Charon

Chalet Helvetia

Private Nanny Companies

There are several private nanny specialists in St Anton who provide flexible levels of high quality care. Several of the companies are able to offer individual nannies on a one-on-one basis or supply a couple of nannies to care for a group of children. The childcare can take place on the piste or in the chalet depending on your preference and the nannies will normally get in touch with you before you arrive in resort allowing you to give them as much information about your children as possible so then get match you with the perfect nanny. In general, this method offers the most in-depth childcare programme.

Recommended private nanny services in St Anton:

Meri nannies offer top quality nanny services in St Anton.

Angels Childcare offer 24 hour childcare in St Anton.

My Travelling Nanny is a family run specialist holiday nanny agency who match families with the perfect Travelling Nanny for their holiday.

Group Ski

St Anton sits at an altitude of 1304 metres and excels for intermediate and advanced skiing. Early season snowfall is generally excellent and the slopes above town boast some of the finest off-piste terrain you could hope for. Villages such as Stuben, Lech and St Christoph are within easy reach, joining together with St Anton to form the Arlberg Ski Circus, one of the very finest ski areas in Europe.

Groups of friends looking for lively après ski and a little festive revelry are also well catered for in St Anton. There are piste-side après ski bars to kick things off in style and down in town there’s a great range of bars and clubs to party the night away in.

Although, with bars such as the Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh, St Anton offers perhaps the best après ski of all Austrian resorts, huge efforts have been made over recent years to appeal to a wider visitor base and these days St Anton is also wonderfully family friendly.

The Nasserein area offers peace, quiet and very easy ski access with a gondola at the foot of the slopes, and it’s here that the resort’s more family-oriented accommodation options are based. The slopes on the Nasserein side are ideally suited to skiing and snowboarding groups with beginners and children, with plenty to do on and off the slopes for families. Away from the pistes you can enjoy husky sledding, ice skating or simply relaxing in the resort’s wellness centre.

Childcare

For families with young kids, a number of properties in the Nasserein area of St Anton provide a winning combination of easy slope access and in-house childcare.

There are also a number of childcare companies in the resort, including the very professional St Anton Nannies.

Otherwise, there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained in St Anton, with tobogganing, bowling, ice skating and a variety of other activities on offer.

The Piste

The majority of St Anton’s ski terrain which includes the Nasserein, the Gampen and the Kapall mountains are found on the northern side of the valley (the same side as the town) with the Rendl mountain on the southern side of the valley. The mountains offer fairly gentle slopes at their base, getting more challenging the higher you get.

The extensive and varied ski area is comprised of 305km of piste, 200km of off piste itineraries and over 55km² of off piste terrain with 88 lifts connecting them.

Beginners

St. Anton can be intimidating for beginners but they shouldn’t be put off from visiting the resort. The beginner slopes are located in the Nasserein area of resort which is the best place for to gain confidence on the slopes. Skiers can then progress onto the beginner slopes on the Gampen and then onto blue runs on the Kapall and Galzig which are serviced by the Osthang chairlift.

Intermediates

St. Anton is regarded as one of the best resorts for intermediates, with many of runs classified as blues in St. Anton would be reds in other resorts. The longest run in resort is 10.2km from Valluga via Ulmer Hutte to St. Anton

Experts

St. Anton is known for experts, with plenty of reds that would be blacks in other resorts. Expert runs to note include the long black run in Kapall that winds its way down the World Cup downhill run to the village

Ski School

It is advisable to book your ski school in advance as availability is limited and lessons may sell out especially if you are travelling on a peak week (Christmas, New Year, Half Term, Easter)

St Anton Classic is a private independent school run by locals. The school offers private skiing, snowboarding, ski-touring and cross country lessons.

Piste to powder provide off piste guiding in St Anton, Lech, Zurs and Stuben. Their experienced instructors will guide you to the best snow and terrain to help you learn and improve your skill.

New Generation opened in St Anton in Winter 2016 and offer fun and intuitive lessons.

Equipment Hire

St Anton is home to a selection of ski hire shops offering a range of winter sports equipment.

It is advisable to pre-book your hire in advance to cut down on hassle and save you some money as the majority of the stores will offer discounts for booking in advance. Furthermore, if there is a particular item of equipment that you are after, you can give them a call beforehand and see if they can reserve the item for you.

Alber Freeride is located right next to the Galzig and Rendl lift station. The shops offers ski and snowboard equipment from top brands and has the biggest range of avalanche transceivers, airbag back bags, shovels, probes and the Recco-System in Skiboots.

Jennewein is a family owned ski hire shop operating for four generations. The company has grown to become a premier sports and outdoor retailer.

Intersport provides ski and snowboard equipment to suit all abilities.

Hervis Sport offers a large selection of sports good to hire including skis, snowboards, boots, helmets and sticks for children and adults.

Lift Passes

The Alberg ski area covers more than 305km of piste and one ski pass covers the whole area including St Anton, St Christoph, Lech, Zurs and Stuben. The pass also covers the bus service between Rauz and Zurs.

The below prices are based on the most current prices in resort but may change at the time of booking.

Day               Child (8-15)   Junior (16-19)   Adult (20-64)   Senior (65+)
Weekday       €32.00           €48.00             €53.00             €48.00
Weekend       €32.00           €48.00             €53.00             €48.00
Afternoon Pass    €24.50         €37.00           €40.50             €37.00
2-day pass         €62.00           €94.00         €104.00            €94.00
6-day pass         €164.00         €237.00          €275.00       €237.00

Children under 8yrs are entitled to a free lift pass however they are required to pay €10 for the magnetic card. This is a flat rate regardless of the number of days. Proof of age is required.

If you are travelling for a short break or are not planning on skiing all day every day then you could consider a flexible points card. This allows you to choose the days and uses point systems – before 11.50am – 3 points, after 11.50am – points, after 3 pm – 1 point. These don’t need to be taken on consecutive days. It is €245 for 15 points and €458 for 30 points.

If you are skiing for more than 2 weeks then consider a season pass.

You can buy your lift pass from several of the lift pass offices in resort which are open daily from 8am to 4.45pm.

You can pre-book your lift pass through your tour operator who will deliver it to your accommodation upon your arrival. This is generally the easiest method of doing it as you don’t have to worry about the hassle of going to going to buy it in resort and can get straight out on the slopes on your first day.