St Anton
Traditional Austrian resort with legendary skiing (both on & off-piste), apres ski and nightlife
St Anton resort guide - a general overview
This St Anton ski resort guide gives an overview of the ski area, the restaurants (both on and off the mountain), the après ski scene and the many nightlife options available to those that choose to take their ski holiday in this fabulous Arlberg ski resort.
Whichever way you look at it, St Anton is one of the world's best resorts. The town is somewhat squeezed into the valley floor and therefore spreads along the foot of the mountains. However, there are several high-speed modern lifts which provide easy and quick access to the slopes above. Its vast ski area (both on and off piste) makes it ideal for expert and competent skiers who will delight in exploring the Arlberg ski domain (which includes St Christoph, Lech, Zurs, Stuben and Warth).
For keen skiers and boarders, with endless energy looking to push the boundaries, St Anton's mountain ranges (and après ski bars) are perfect. St Anton, competing with Val d'Isere, is reaching for the title of 'ski resort with the most under classified slopes', so will constantly keep you on your toes especially as the next red you ski down could turn into a super steep black by any other resort's standards.
For the powder hounds there are countless opportunities for going off piste. The world famous bowls below the Valluga Mountain are unbeatable after a heavy snowfall. Also ideal for those easing into the off-piste scene, the nearby Rendl area provides some easier areas beyond the furthest lift and the rolling powder bowls of Rossfall. Beginners in St Anton are best to start on the Nasserein nursery slopes which are located at village level. Although there are a couple more gentle pistes to progress to on Gampen and Rendl, there are very few runs for beginners and less adventurous intermediate skiers.
The Arlberg Wellness centre offers swimming, skating, fitness and pampering facilities for those looking for off-slope diversions or to cure their après hangovers.
Photos courtesy of St. Anton am Arlberg Tourism Association, Patrick Bätz.
Resort stats
305km
1,305m - 2,650m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Innsbruck
- 1hr 15mins
- Friedrichshafen
- 1hr 30mins
- Zurich
- 2hrs 30mins
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Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive, varied slopes for experts and the adventurous intermediate skiers.
- The resort is picturesque. The chalets in St Anton give real Alpine charm.
- Some of the best apres ski in Europe.
- A good selection of atmospheric and inexpensive mountain restaurants.
- Short transfers from Innsbruck airport.
Cons
- There are very few confidence boosting easy pistes for timid intermediate skiers.
- Blue runs are like French 'Reds' and Red runs are like French 'Blacks'.
- Main lower slopes get a lot of sun, affecting the snow conditions on the runs home.
Restaurants
St Anton Resort Restaurants
The most popular (and most expensive) restaurant is The Museum, located at the bottom of the home run just above the Galzig bubble. A unique setting as a museum by day and restaurant by night, it combines fine dining with traditional Austrian flavours. For film fanatics among you, The Museum was also the setting for everyone's favourite ski movie, Chalet Girl.
Galzig Bistro Bar, near the railway station, has a broad menu ranging from burgers and steaks to Thai curries. If you're craving Italian cuisine, look no further than Pomodoro pizzeria. With its reputation for the best pizzas in resort, this restaurant is busy from the moment it opens, so be sure to get in early. The pizzeria also does takeaway if you are looking to grab a snack after a long, hearty après.
For traditional Austrian cuisine, Robi's Rodelstall is a must-visit. Decorated like a rustic Tyrolean barn complete with cow bells and a huge fireplace, it serves hearty local dishes.Fuhrmannstube and Restaurant Maximilian are also both excellent options
For something completely different, The Skiing Buddha serves authentic Thai cuisine, while Happy Valley Steakhouse remains a popular choice for steaks, burgers and larger groups.
St Anton Mountain Restaurants
There are loads of restaurant options along the slopes, but The Verwallstube at Galzig is in a class of its own. Widely regarded as the finest mountain restaurant in St Anton, it combines exceptional cuisine with outstanding panoramic views. Whether visiting for lunch on the terrace or dinner under candlelight, booking ahead is essential.
The Hospiz Alm is a firm favourite among visitors to St Anton. Situated in St Christoph, the restaurant serves a great Austrian menu for lunch and re-opens its doors for dinner. Don't forget to check out the famous wine cellar and make sure you take the slide down to the toilets! Recent reviews commented that the ribs are perfect to share for a lunchtime treat. The waiters and waitresses are all dressed in traditional Austrian clothing; expect lots of lederhosen and dirndls!
Alber's Rodelalm located beside the toboggan run above Nasserein offers a sunny terrace, rustic atmosphere and excellent Tyrolean classics.
If you're a super keen skier and don't want to waste precious skiing time on dining out, the Ulmer Hütte near the top of the Arlenmahder chair has a fantastic queuing system for grabbing quick snacks on the go.
Over on Rendl at Rendl Restaurant you can also enjoy a spacious self service restaurant which has great cook to order options and a lovely sun terrace overlooking the action in the terrain park.
St Anton Apres Ski
St Anton's bar scene is a must to experience. The action kicks off from around 3pm and pushes on through to the early hours
Après-ski commences in a collection of bars on the slopes immediately above St Anton, the most popular being the MooserWirt , (selling more beer than any other bar in Austria). Expect packed tables and dancing in ski boots.
For a more civilised après ski drink, Krazy Kanguruh, Heustadl, Griabli and Sennhütte are great places to enjoy live music and a more chilled environment.
Back in town, Basecamp attracts a mixed group of tourists and ski instructors, offering a lively atmosphere that bridges the gap between après and nightlife.
St Anton Nightlife
The après ski in St Anton seems to more often than not roll into the early hours of the morning, and with St Anton's flat village streets, it's not too difficult to stumble back to your ski chalet. Many of the après bars stay open till late filled with people still sporting their ski boots.
Piccadilly Bar is one of the most popular late-night venues in resort, offering live music and a lively crowd throughout the season. Next door, Postkeller is a favourite.
Bar Cuba is particularly popular with the British crowd, while those looking to dance into the night usually end up at Kandahar, one of St Anton's best-known nightclubs.
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Property