St. Anton — Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg sits at the centre of the Arlberg region — 305km of interconnected pistes spanning St. Anton, Lech, Zürs and Stuben. This is where modern Alpine skiing technique was born: Hannes Schneider developed and taught the Arlberg method here in the early 20th century, and the resort's identity as skiing's spiritual home has never really faded.

The Valluga, at 2,811m, is the area's highest point and home to one of the Alps' most legendary off-piste descents — accessible only with a guide, and not for the faint of heart. Schindlerkar and Mattun hold serious, ungroomed terrain for strong skiers, while Gampen and Nasserein give beginners space to learn away from the steeper sectors. St. Anton has never marketed itself as a beginner-friendly resort, and the terrain mix reflects that.

The Arlberg ski pass covers the entire region. St. Anton is reached by direct train from Innsbruck (roughly 1.5 hours) or Zurich (roughly 2.5 hours), making it one of the more accessible expert-terrain resorts in the Alps. Snow conditions are typically most reliable from December through March.

The Mooserwirt, directly on the piste above the village, is arguably the most famous après-ski bar in the Alps — packed, loud, and entirely unavoidable if you're skiing down into town in the afternoon. The Krazy Kanguruh is the traditional second stop. Between the terrain and the après scene, St. Anton has one of the most complete — and most intense — ski resort experiences in Austria.