The Louk · 8 min read · Resort guide
AdvancedHuge aprèsOff-pisteGroupsSnow-sure
St Anton is the spiritual home of Austrian skiing - a lively, characterful village at the heart of the Arlberg, Austria's largest linked area. The skiing is genuinely challenging with brilliant off-piste, and the après is the stuff of legend: the ski down past the Mooserwirt at 4pm is a rite of passage. It suits confident intermediates and experts who want big terrain by day and a proper party by night - and it's superbly easy to reach by train.
Altitude1,304m village · up to 2,811m (Valluga)
Ski areaSki Arlberg — ~305km, 88 lifts (Austria's largest)
Best forConfident intermediates & experts · huge après
SeasonEarly Dec – late April
AirportInnsbruck ~1hr · Zurich ~2hr · Munich ~2.5hr
Trip typeParty · advanced · groups
Budget£££ · pensions to 5-star
⛷The skiing
St Anton anchors the Ski Arlberg area - around 305km of pistes linking St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs and Warth-Schröcken. It's known for demanding reds, endless off-piste and heavy snowfall. The Valluga is the iconic high point (the very top is guides-only), the Run of Fame is an ~85km signposted circuit across the whole region, and quieter Rendl sits across the valley. Beginners are better up at gentle Nasserein and Gampen.
- The Run of Famean epic ~85km signposted tour linking the Arlberg villages.
- Vallugalegendary off-piste from 2,811m - hire a guide for the top.
- Rendlsunnier, quieter slopes across the valley - great on a busy day.
📍 Official piste map & live lifts (stantonamarlberg.com) →
The Louk tipRide the Valluga on a clear day (with a guide for the top gondola to the off-piste face), and pace yourself at the Mooserwirt - the 3pm ski-down afterwards is the real challenge.
🏨Where to stay
Luxury
- Raffl's St. Antoner HofElegant 5-star with a lovely spa, right in the village.
- Hôtel Schwarzer AdlerHistoric, characterful 4-star with a great pool and wine cellar.
- Hotel ArlbergCentral, refined and a St Anton classic.
Boutique & mid-range
- Hotel Alte PostTraditional Tyrolean charm in the heart of the village.
- Hotel MontjolaQuiet, sunny spot with big views above the centre.
Chalets & cosy
- Nasserein pensionsStay by the Nassereinbahn for easy lifts and a calmer base.
- Aparthotels & chaletsPlenty of self-catered options for groups.
🍽Where to eat
On the mountain
- VerwallstubeRefined mountain dining at the top of the Galzig - book ahead.
- SennhütteSunny terrace and hearty Tyrolean plates on the way down.
- RodelalmCosy hut famous for its toboggan run and long lunches.
In town
- HaziendaLong-standing favourite - grills, fish and a buzzy room.
- Museum RestaurantBeautiful setting for classic Austrian cooking.
- FlorianiModern Alpine food in a warm, wood-lined dining room.
🍾Bars & après
- MooserwirtPossibly the most famous après bar on earth - beers, schlager and dancing by 4pm.
- Krazy KanguruhThe other legend on the same run down - equally raucous.
- HeustadlSlope-side party hut with live acts.
- PostkellerWhere the night carries on late in the village.
❄Off the slopes
- arl.park & Arlberg WellComPool, sauna and wellness for a rest day.
- Night tobogganingFloodlit Rodelbahn runs - book a hut dinner first.
- St Anton MuseumThe story of Arlberg skiing in a pretty villa.
🚁Getting there
St Anton is wonderfully easy to reach - Innsbruck is about an hour, Zurich around two, and there's a mainline train station right in the village, so many people arrive by rail from the airport with no transfer at all.
Transfers & travel
- TrainDirect railjet/rail to St Anton am Arlberg station - the easy, scenic option.
- Arlberg ExpressShared airport transfers from Innsbruck & Zurich.
- Airport Transfer ArlbergReliable private door-to-door service.
- Alps2AlpsShared & private transfers, good value.
