A winter holiday at the Arlberg
Active holidays at the Sporthotel in Tyrol
Winter in the Arlberg means skiing in one of the largest ski areas in the Alps – and so much more besides. Whether it’s cross-country skiing, winter hiking or tobogganing, après-ski in the afternoon or an evening out in the bars of St. Anton, here you’ll find all the winter activities around the Sporthotel St. Anton at a glance.
Winter Highlights
As well as skiing and cross-country skiing, the Arlberg has plenty of other winter experiences in store. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Verwall Valley, toboggan down into the valley, or get together for ice skating and curling. Adventure awaits with freeride tours, heliskiing and paragliding over the snow-capped peaks. Families and beginners are in good hands at the ski school, whilst experienced skiers can tackle the Weißen Ring.
Skiing on the Arlberg
A skiing holiday in St. Anton takes you to Austria’s largest interconnected ski area. Ski Arlberg links around 305 km of marked slopes and 200 km of off-piste runs in deep snow with almost 100 modern lifts. From early December right through to April, you can reach Zürs, Lech and Warth-Schröcken directly on skis from St. Anton. Beginners will find wide, sunny slopes; experienced skiers can challenge themselves on the Schindlerkar run or the Valluga; whilst freeriders can carve their own lines in the open terrain. Those wishing to explore the entire area can tackle the ‘Run of Fame’ ski circuit, which stretches over 85 km.
The St. Anton am Arlberg ski resort
Ski Arlberg is Austria’s largest interconnected ski resort. 85 modern cable cars and lifts provide access to 305 km of marked slopes for all ability levels, more than 60 per cent of which are covered by artificial snow. From the Flexenbahn, you can reach Lech Zürs and the Weißer Ring directly on skis. With the same ski pass, you can also ski in the Sonnenkopf family ski resort in Klösterle. The Valluga is ideal for day trips; at 2,809 m, it is the highest peak on the Arlberg.
Stanton Park Ski and Snowboard Fun Park
Freestylers will be in their element at Stanton Park on the Rendl, one of the best-known snow parks in Tyrol. It’s just a 4-minute walk from the Sporthotel St. Anton to the mountain railway; from there, two lifts take you straight to the park. Three lines featuring up to 34 obstacles offer plenty of variety for snowboarders and freeskiers. The Proline is aimed at advanced riders, the Kickerline offers jumps of various sizes, and the Jibline focuses on rails and boxes. Two lifts right next to the park allow for quick runs, whilst bars and restaurants are right on the doorstep.
Ski touring in St. Anton am Arlberg
Away from the slopes, the Arlberg offers routes for both beginners and experienced ski tourers. Many ski tours in St. Anton start right by the ski lifts, so there’s no need for long approaches. Among the classics are the Stanskogel, the Saumspitze and the Hohe Riffler at 3,168 m. It’s important to be well prepared and to have the right safety equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe. If you’d rather not explore the terrain on your own, you can go on a tour with a mountain guide.
Ski hire and ski storage
If you’re travelling without your own equipment, you’ll find everything you need for winter sports at the ski hire shops in St. Anton, from skis and snowboards to cross-country sets and toboggans. The Sporthotel St. Anton recommends Intersport and Alber Sport; both are located near the hotel and on the way to the mountain cable cars. Both providers have a ski storage facility at the valley station; at Intersport it’s free of charge, whilst at Alber Sport hotel guests pay three euros per day. This means you can walk to the Galzigbahn in your street shoes and only change into your kit once you’re there. The ski service takes care of edge sharpening, waxing and binding adjustments overnight.
Ski schools and ski courses in the Arlberg
The Arlberg Ski School was founded in 1921 by skiing pioneer Hannes Schneider and remains one of Austria’s best-known ski schools to this day. At the ski schools and ski courses in St. Anton, experienced ski instructors guide beginners, those returning to the sport and advanced skiers in private lessons or group sessions. Children learn through play in age-appropriate groups, and many packages include meals. Snowboarders will also find courses in St. Anton, ranging from their very first turns to off-piste techniques.
Mountain railways and ski passes
Cable cars, chairlifts and T-bar lifts will take you up the mountain quickly in the Arlberg region. With a single ski pass, you can ski in all the sub-areas, from St. Anton, St. Christoph and Stuben via Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken right up to the Sonnenkopf. Where there is no lift connection, ski buses operate. Ski pass prices in the Arlberg vary depending on the season. As a guest at the Sporthotel, you can book your ski pass directly at the hotel and save yourself the trip to the ticket office.
Cross-country skiing in St. Anton
Around 40 km of trails bearing the Tyrolean Cross-Country Skiing Quality Seal make cross-country skiing in St. Anton appealing to both beginners and experienced skiers. Trails are groomed for both classic and skating styles. The Stanzertal trail runs for 22 km on flat terrain alongside the Rosanna river; its starting point is just a few minutes’ walk from the Sporthotel St. Anton. The 10-km-long Verwall trail takes you into the Verwall Valley as far as the reservoir. In Pettneu, the trails are floodlit on Mondays and Fridays until 9 pm. The local ski schools offer courses for beginners and advanced skiers.
Tobogganing in St. Anton
The best-known toboggan run in St. Anton is the natural toboggan run from Gampen to Nasserein. The 4.3 km run, with a 500-metre descent, takes around 15 minutes to reach the valley. The valley station of the Nassereinbahn is about five minutes’ walk from the Sporthotel St. Anton. The run is open daily from 12 noon to 4.50 pm, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays it is also open for night tobogganing from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. Shorter, family-friendly runs can be found in Pettneu, Flirsch and Strengen. You can hire toboggans from the sports shops in the village or directly at the valley station.
Winter walking in the Arlberg
Around 80 km of cleared and signposted trails make winter walking in St. Anton a peaceful alternative to the slopes. Many routes start right outside the Sporthotel St. Anton, such as the circular walk through the village or the Rosanna walk. You can reach the Verwall Valley by ski bus, which is free during the day with the guest card, and stop off at the Wagner Hütte. The trails range from easy to moderately difficult and are between 1 and 20 km long. A top tip is the trail to the Rodelhütte; from there, take the gondola to Gampen and toboggan back down into the valley.
Snowshoeing in St. Anton
When snowshoeing in St. Anton, you can explore snow-covered slopes and forests away from the pistes. Many starting points are located right in the village or can be reached quickly by the free ski bus. Popular destinations include the wide slopes of the Galzig, the Verwall Valley as far as Lake Verwall, and the high-altitude trails near St. Jakob with views across the Stanz Valley. You can hire snowshoes from sports shops in the village or at the valley stations. The Arlberg Ski School offers guided tours with an introduction to the technique.
Trendy winter sports on the Arlberg
If you’re looking to try something new on your winter holiday, St. Anton offers a wide range of trendy winter sports. Snow blades are short, waisted skis that make it easy to turn and ski backwards. On a snow scooter you ride standing up, whilst on a Snow Fox you ride seated. The snow bike, which has two skis instead of wheels, is quick to learn and is also suitable for non-skiers. A special feature is heli-skiing, which is permitted in Austria only on the Arlberg and takes you, accompanied by a ski guide, on long deep-snow descents.
Après-ski and nightlife
The tradition of après-ski and nightlife in St. Anton dates back to the 1920s. The huts in the ski resort open as early as the early afternoon; well-known venues featuring DJs include the Mooserwirt and the Krazy Kanguruh near the Galzigbahn. In the evening, the fun continues in the pedestrian zone, for example at the Piccadilly Pub or the Murrmel Bar, which features daily live music in winter. Both are just a few steps away from the Sporthotel St. Anton.
Your winter holiday at the Sporthotel St. Anton
From the station transfer on arrival to the ski storage at the valley station, you’ll enjoy numerous benefits as our guest. The slopes, cross-country trails and winter walking routes are just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. Send us your no-obligation holiday enquiry for a tailored offer. You’re also welcome to book your winter holiday in the Arlberg region directly online.