The perfect day in St. Anton starts with sunshine shining through the panorama window into the room of the Arlmont Hotel. Read here, what follows after that...
After a deep breath of fresh mountain air on the balcony, you’re ready to start the day with a sumptuous breakfast buffet: Tirolean bacon, fresh fruit, bread from the village bakery and fresh ingredients from the region provide the fuel for an excellent skiing day in St. Anton am Arlberg. One last sip of cappuccino and you’re off to the slopes.
From the Hotel Arlmont directly to the slopes of St. Anton
The Nassereinbahn gondola lift is just a snowball’s throw from Hotel Arlmont; the descent ends right on the doorstep. But, first things first, let’s hit the slopes of the Arlberg ski area. Skiers will need several days to explore the entire terrain, after all, the ski area boasts 305 km of slopes plus 200 km of deep snow runs. The Schindlerkar is an insider tip with a slope descending over 1,200 metres of elevation change through the Valvagehrtal to Stuben. This small village is also a little quieter than St. Anton am Arlberg. Skiing the whole distance without a break requires endurance. Anyway, it is worth stopping every now and then to capture the panorama of the Roggspitze (2,747 m), the Trittkopf (2,720 m) and the Valvagehrtal with your camera. Also, the famous Valluga is visible, but we will talk about this later.
A real insider tip among gourmets in the ski area of St. Anton
Once you have reached Stuben and conquered the Schindlerkar, it’s time for a stopover. From Stuben it is not far to St. Christoph. The Arlberg Thaja is located directly at the piste no. 64. Newly renovated and expanded in 2015, the mountain hut invites to enjoy tasty meals in the cosy parlours or on the large sun terrace. The best feature: Guests are served at their tables rather than having to queue and balancing their beverages on a tray. Typical Tirolean delicacies from the kitchen and cellar await. Only here you will find the Stanzertal barley soup with potatoes and smoked meat or the Stanzertal "Kaskiachla" made from local cheese fried in batter. The delicious food tastes like grandma's cooking. Among the fancier choices are venison or wild boar bratwurst, yeast-raised pastry, or cheese fondue for two people. In addition, the Arlberg Thaja has a large wine cellar with carefully selected wines to accompany the dishes – quite a special feature of a restaurant in a ski area. Tip: Tables can be booked in advance.
St. Anton's highest point: The Valluga
Feeling well-fortified and rested, it’s time to move on. One highlight on today’s must-visit list: a ride to the Valluga, the highest mountain of the ski area. After just one ride on the St. Christoph chairlift followed by a short descent, you reach the Vallugabahn I aerial tram. The gondola climbs over 500 metres of elevation with only two supporting pillars. The next ride on the Vallugabahn II which was built in 1955 is even more spectacular. Only skiers accompanied by a certified guide are allowed to take their skis with them. All other passengers must leave their ski equipment behind. With only six people the gondola already feels crowded, but the journey up to an elevation of 2,809 metres is rewarding.
Once you reach the top, you are right on the border between Vorarlberg and Tirol. The view reaches to the Lechtaler and Allgäuer Alps, the Verwall mountains, the Ötztaler Alps and on clear days even to Lake Constance and Graubünden in Switzerland.
Ski Arlberg: A paradise for freeride skiers
Thrill-seekers book a guide to tackle the most extreme descent of the ski area, the Valluga North. However, the snow conditions are difficult to assess, and the descent is extremely steep. A dream for freeriders. Near the slopes, normal skiers will find terrain with fresh snow to cruise through, and after some spectacular turns off-piste and on the slopes, the downhill run near the Galzigbahn leads to the village of St. Anton am Arlberg. At the valley station of the Galzigbahn, one cannot help but stare in wonder at the big wheel as it comfortably lifts the gondolas from the suspension rope on the bottom floor up to village level. St. Anton is a vibrant ski resort which prides itself on inventing the term après-ski. Locals and winter fans alike unwind and party. But today, it’s time to relax first, so you take the Gampenbahn back to the ski area and then descend to the valley next to the Nassereinbahn right to the doorstep of Hotel Arlmont. The hotel is renowned for the peace and quiet that it offers compared to other accommodations in St. Anton.
Wellness, recreation and fine dining at the Hotel Arlmont
The ski equipment stored in the cellar, the warm clothes placed in the room, it’s time to put on the bathrobe and enjoy wellness on three levels in the new MONTSpa. From the third level on the roof with panoramic sauna and rooftop pool to the steam bath on the first level to relaxing in the cosy library on the second level - always with a view of the mountains. A relaxed dinner featuring Tirolean and international delicacies made from local ingredients accompanied with a glass of wine will round off the day nicely. A perfect skiing day ends at the Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg.
