Photo: Tourist Association St. Anton Am Arlberg
St Anton, sometimes referred to as the capital of the Alps, shines ever brightly as one of the most sparkling jewels in the proverbial ‘crown’ of this European mountain range. Glitz, glamour, serious skiing, lively après ski and endless snow hang in the crisp air of this remarkable Alpine town, positively exuding all elements needed for an exceptional ski adventure. Our team here at Oxford Ski adore this resort and cannot speak more highly of St Anton, and therefore we’ve compiled a short list of the ‘crème de la crème’ for you.
1. Ski area.
One of the key attractions of this resort is its incredible ski terrain; with an elevation of up to 2650m, snow is pretty much ensured to be there during your holiday, 340km of piste and fantastic off-piste, you’ll be spoilt for choice. St Anton is well-suited to advanced skiers but it is also a fantastic place to learn; with nursery slopes close to the town, then higher up blues which can get quite steep but are beautifully wide which is almost as important. From there you can progress on to tougher reds & blacks before you might be inspired by challenging mogul fields and plenty of off-piste! However, no matter how experienced you are, we always recommend a guide to show you the secret sides of the mountain and to keep you and your group safe, Piste to Powder are a fantastic choice for this.
2. Fabulous Town.
St Anton boasts a fantastic atmosphere for all ages, from great live music, to fine dining and beautiful architecture to good facilities for children. Restaurant Underground will invariably have an acoustic set happening and for incredible food head to Museum to be wowed by their traditional cuisine with a modern presentational twist. For something swifter Bodega offers delicious tapas and an extensive wine list. Or try Hazienda for a mouthwatering menu that you will feel you truly deserve after your hard graft on the slopes.
3. Après Ski.
For an amazing start to your après ski experience, ski to Krazy Kangaruh or Mooserwirt, since both these mountain bars are ready for a party! With great drinks and bar food (burger and ribs at Mooserwirt or warming soups at Kangaruh’s) and an electric atmosphere you will end your adrenaline filled day with a seriously good party in the snow. Once you’ve made it down the mountain from these bars (safety first as always) make your way to Anthony's in town for cocktails of all shapes and varieties.
4. Ski Schools.
St Anton, as described earlier has a piste for everyone and therefore there’s always something to learn and challenges to be accepted. Therefore if you’re a seasoned pro or just setting out, or looking for the best instructors for your children, we would strongly recommend Alpine Faszination and Ski School Arlberg, both these schools provide great tuition for all levels, lessons in other snow sports and guiding for those wanting something ‘off the pisted track’.
5. Non-Skiers.
For those in your group wanting non-ski activities, or simply a day off the mountain, there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. From St Anton there are regular trains running to both Innsbruck and Lech, both steeped in history, stunning buildings, chocolate boutiques and plenty of other attractions to amuse. In St Anton there’s also the Wellness Centre with a spa, various pools, ice rink and fitness classes. St Anton has also recently been awarded the quality seal for its 40-kilometre-long network of trails for cross country skiing, which is a great way to keep fit and explore the stunning scenery.
6. Accommodation.
St Anton has a vast array of accommodation, from chalets sleeping 30 people to beautiful 1 bedroom apartments to high end hotels. For ski in/ski out access chalet Tschoder, sleeping max 14 people, boasts a spa and outdoor hot tub, cinema room for quiet time, a chef preparing six dinners with champagne and canapés for those evenings and lavish fabrics delicately matched with a traditional rustic feel. For three chalet apartments in one look at Eden Roc, these three apartments can be separate or come together for dinner in the restaurant style eating area. There’s also a floor dedicated to relaxation with a pool with jet streams, massage rooms and a sauna. Raffls Tyrol is the 4* sister to the 5* Raffls St Antoner Hof, both hotels offering utter luxury and class. Raffls Tyrol follows a more minimalist funky style, bright colours and clean lines, whereas it’s older sister continues in the traditional Austrian feel; whichever takes your fancy, you are in for a treat in either hotel.
7. Hospitality.
Austrians are renowned for being friendly and hospitable and this isn’t just a strapline in the guidebooks, they truly are! From being incredibly helpful and efficient, to being welcoming of children in restaurants and kind to families and groups, there’s no sort of ‘offish’ attitude one could perhaps expect to find in a busy resort; nothing is too much trouble and it feels like they value every visitor.
8. Family Friendly.
Continuing on from the concept of the Austrians being an exceptionally friendly people, St Anton is also a great resort to bring children; they will learn well under excellent tuition from the afore mentioned ski schools, enjoy soaking up the beautiful quintessential Austrian town and there are fantastic nanny services either for whilst you’re on the slopes or wanting an evening ‘child free’.
9. Mountain Food.
The traditional Austrian food is delicious and a can be a nice change from fondues and raclette. Think of plenty of light soups with dumplings, shredded pancakes, slow cooked meat etc. On the mountain Hospiz Alm is very good and traditional restaurant (with a slide to the downstairs loos), Rud-Alpe on the piste down to Lech is a 250 year old restaurant with sublime, modernised food and insane views.
10. Accessibility.
Fly to the hassle free airports of Innsbruck (1hr30min) or Zurich (2hr30mins) and take the train straight into the resort or take a private transfer organised through Oxford Ski, it’s really that simple, adding another ‘tick’ to the list of why you should ski in St Anton this season!!
Give us a call on 01993 899 420 or enquire here for more on this deservedly popular and friendly resort!
