Skiing & More
The snow in this area is perfect for skiers, and the total lack of trees on the slopes makes the situation ideal. The ski fields of St. Anton stretch over some 16 sq. km (6 sq. miles). Beginners stick to the slopes down below, and for the more experienced skiers there are the runs from the Galzig and Valluga peaks. A cableway will take you to Galzig (2,092m/6,864 ft.), where there's a self-service restaurant. You go from here to Vallugagrat (2,649m/8,691 ft.), the highest station. The peak of the Valluga, at 2,812m (9,226 ft.), commands a panoramic view. St. Christoph is the mountain annex of St. Anton.
In addition to the major ski areas just mentioned, there are two other important sites. The Gampen/Kapall area is an advanced-intermediate network of slopes, whose lifts start just behind St. Anton's railway station. Also noteworthy is the Rendl, a relatively new labyrinth of runs to the south of St. Anton that offers many novice and intermediate slopes.
In winter, St. Anton am Arlberg is quite fashionable, popular with the wealthy -- there's a more conservative segment of the rich and famous here than you'll see at other posh ski resorts. There are many other cold-weather pursuits besides skiing, including ski jumping, mountain tours, curling, skating, tobogganing, and sleigh rides, plus après-ski on the quiet side.
There's so much emphasis on skiing here that there's little talk of the summertime attractions. In warm weather, St. Anton is tranquil and bucolic, surrounded by meadowland. A riot of wildflowers blooming in the fields announces the beginning of spring.
At any time of the year, you can visit the Ski und Heimat Museum (Skiing and Local Museum), in the Arlberg-Kandahar House (tel. 05446/2475), where displays trace the development of skiing in the Arlberg, as well as the region's history from the days of tribal migrations in and around Roman times. The museum, in the imposing structure at the center of the Holiday Park in St. Anton, is open in summer Wednesday to Sunday noon to 8pm, and in winter Tuesday through Sunday 3 to 10pm. Admission is 2€ ($3.20) for adults and 1€ ($1.60) for children.
The local library is also housed in the Arlberg-Kandahar House, and the park provides a variety of leisure activities, including minigolf, a woodland playground, a fishing pond, table tennis, open-air chess, and a curling rink.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
