St Anton ski hotels and holiday packages

So tell me about it...

The St Anton is the largest resort in the Arlberg ski area, which also includes Lech, Zurs and the village of St Christoph and St Jakob. The combined Arlberg ski area offers hundreds of miles of groomed runs and ski trails for skiers and snowboarders. The most prominent point in St Anton is the Valluga summit from which runs one of the best and longest intermediate ski slopes in Europe, taking skiers all the way down to the valley floor.

There are many more choices for intermediate and advance skiers in Lech and Zurs, which also offer some of the best off-piste skiing in Europe. It's not easy to ski from St Anton to Lech or Zurs and most people take the bus, which leaves regularly from the town centre. Due to their north-facing slopes and position at the end of the valley, Lech and Zurs offer uncrowded slopes and reliable snow.  The best skiing for beginners is in St Christoph or Rendl. There are two ski schools in operation, run under the same umbrella, both employing hundreds of instructors and guides with a solid reputation for excellent tuition and service. St Anton is also known for having some of the best snowboarding terrain in Austria, with a vast array of natural obstacles, steep powder fields and drop-offs providing for thrilling free-riding. Gampen, Kapall and Rendl are recommended for snowboarders. Make a search now and book cheap ski hotels and holiday packages in St. Anton.

Entertainment

The club and bar scene in St Anton is very lively, and less expensive than some of the other European ski resorts. The 'in' places are the Krazy Kangaroo Bar on the mountainside, and the Moosewirt Bar, both usually packed with skiers and snowboarders after a day on the slopes. Alcohol flows freely to the tune of rock and hip-hop. The night is long at the numerous other discos and clubs, but for those seeking something more sedate there are quieter, sophisticated bars in the hotels.

Gourmet & nightlife

Dining out in St Anton is a diverse and satisfying experience, with everything from burgers to vegetarian meals on offer at establishments that keep cooking until well after midnight. For five-star dining try the luxury hotels like the St Antoner Hof or Alte Post. Traditional Austrian fare is sought after by active skiers wanting a hearty meal. Some of the best is served up at the Sporthotel, where a variety of sausages can be savoured with an accompaniment of potatoes and sauerkraut, at reasonable prices. Game and dumplings also appear on most local menus. Fondue can be enjoyed at The Montjola, one of the oldest restaurants in the area.

Extras

There are many activities avaliable in St. Anton, and it isn't just snowsport. There are many sight-seeing spots around the villiage, great cycle tracks which go past beautiful and vast countryside, an extremely good sports center with pools, whirlpools and a water slide and during the summer months, you can go cross-country on segways.
 
 
 

Beginners

The St. Anton beginners' slopes are just above the village towards Nasserein and are ideal for building your confidence.

Intermediates

The Galzig and Gampen areas, directly behind St. Anton, are the best starting points for intermediates. They offer a superb range of blue and red runs to get your skiing legs into gear. Move across to the Rendl area on the sunny side of the valley and there are plenty of challenges to be found or, for more forgiving terrain, the long cruising runs of the Valluga are not to be missed.

Experts

St. Anton is an experienced skier's paradise, with countless challenges on and off-piste - tricky black runs, steep narrow gullies, bump runs and fantastic off-piste trails. The high mountain runs from the Valluga are particularly fearsome, and the Mattun, Schindlerkar and Stuben runs are definite highlights.

Snowboarders

St Anton is regarded as having the best snowboarding terrain in Austria and is fully behind the sport. It has miles of excellent terrain for all levels. For freeriding it is the perfect playground - check out the Kapall and Valluga. For freestylers the place is littered with natural gullies and hits, there's also a snowboard park at Rendl Beach along with a pipe to play in.
 
 
 

There are plenty of daycare and children's activities. Most daycares are at the hotels, but the Kinderwelt Day-care Center accepts most children from age two-and-a-half. Children under the age of nine ski for free and those under 16 can buy a pass with a 50 percent discount.