St. Anton: What To Know

A part of Austria’s Arlberg region, St. Anton am Arlberg is renowned for its challenging skiing and has long drawn European visitors, many of whom consider it one of the top ski resorts in the world. Often referred to as the cradle of alpine skiing, St. Anton is linked to Lech, St. Christoph, Stuben and more with the Arlberg lift pass, so visitors can explore a seemingly endless terrain. Because of its easy accessibility (it boasts its own train station), St. Anton attracts a diverse crowd, so visitors can expect to see everyone from backpackers to luxury travelers there. Here is a cheat sheet to help you plan a trip.

Who Should Go The mountain village is best suited for intermediate skiers looking for a challenge or advanced skiers in search of the best off-piste runs and mogul-filled bowls. Beginners will feel more comfortable in the neighboring towns of Lech and Zurs.

How To Get There St. Anton is one hour from the Innsbruck Airport, two hours from Zurich, and has a train station with direct trains from Vienna and Munich.

Choosing the Right Hotel St. Anton offers a rather diverse hotel scene for such a small resort town. Located in St Christoph, a 10-minute drive west of St Anton, is the legendary Arlberg Hospiz Hotel (www.arlberghospiz.at), which provides a quiet escape from the loud après scene in the main town. Those wishing to be based in St. Anton should opt for the boutique Mooser Hotel (www.mooserhotel.at), which, despite being home to the legendary MooserWirt (the self-proclaimed “baddest” après-ski bar in the world), is sophisticated and stylish, with chic Alpine décor. If budget is a concern, the Hotel Schwarzer Adler (www.schwarzeradler.com), a deeply traditional Tyrolean establishment that dates back to 1550, offers a convenient location in town and well-priced accommodations.

Where to Eat and Drink The vibrant après scene in St. Anton is world-famous, so naturally, many of the best dining options tend to be quite lively. Skiers in need of a midday break can’t miss Senn Hutte (Dengertstrasse; 43-5446-2048), a mountaintop spot with stunning views. For a refined dinner, the Museum Restaurant (Rudi-Matt-Weg 10, 43-5446-2475), located in the Museum St. Anton, serves exceptional traditional dishes like duck with walnut polenta. (Indagare Tip: Make sure to tour the Museum as well, which gives an insightful overview of the history of skiing in the Arlberg area). Krazy Kanguruh (Mooserweg 19; 43-5446-2633), an ice bar–cum–restaurant, is a fun bar and worth stopping by for a shot of Schnapps while soaking in the scene.

Winter Pursuits St. Anton was proudly awarded the “Wandergütesiegel,” or, Tyrolean Hiking Seal of Quality. Expert mountain climbers should hike the Arlberg via ferrata, which is one of the most difficult and requires great physical strength. Those who are less experienced can still partake in the fun on any number of the beginner level trails. In the winter, St. Anton draws some of the best skiers from all around the world. Advanced skiers looking to go off piste, along with intermediate skiers looking for challenging runs will find ample opportunity to test their skills. Indagare members can contact our Bookings Team to arrange a guide accompany you on the slopes.

Indagare Tip: To learn more about the region before departing, watch the 1931 film Der weisse Rausch (“the White Thrill”). The documentary stars the legendary ski pioneer, Hannes Schneider, who developed the ski technology of the time and is an icon for the area. 

Where to Party In terms of non-skiing activities, St. Anton sets the bar high as one of the top après destinations in Europe. There is a vast array of bars on the mountain and in town, where things begin to liven up at 3 pm and continue well into the night (beware: evenings can get noisy). Nevertheless, St. Anton is a destination meant for loosening up and enjoying the moment, particularly for travelers looking to maximize their waking hours: staying up late and rising early.

Indagare members can contact our Bookings Team for help planning a trip to St. Anton.