7 Reasons Why Winter Fans Love January in St. Anton

1. Snow, snow and more snow

Even the old name for this month hints at what January is famous for. It used to also be called the snow month, ice moon or winter month. So January's number one advantage is plenty of snow! Even if a white Christmas doesn't happen, you can be almost certain that it will really start snowing by January at the latest. And then it's time to head from Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg straight off into the powder snow.

2. Slopes all to yourself in St. Anton am Arlberg

This brings us straight to the next advantage of January – space on the slopes. In the first month of the calendar year, the Christmas holidays have just ended and half-term doesn't start until February. So there's not as much going on on the slopes as during the holidays. A chance to really let your carving skis run without getting in anyone else's way. Early risers sometimes have the freshly groomed piste all to themselves. Here's an extra tip for guests of Hotel Arlmont: take the Nassereinbahn up to the Gampen and then transfer straight onto the Kapallbahn chairlift. From there, take the run from the Kapall via the so-called Fang down to the Nassereinbahn. This run passes right by the hotel and is usually less busy.

3. The first tracks in the powder

The early bird also gets the first deep-snow run. St. Anton am Arlberg is particularly well known for exactly that. After all, there aren't just 305 kilometres of pistes here, but also 200 kilometres of routes through the powder snow. Incidentally, a firm favourite among freeriders is the off-piste run through Mattun. This one conveniently starts from the Kapall as well. It's worth getting up especially early here, since after fresh snowfall all the powder lovers flock here. As a guest of Hotel Arlmont, though, you have the advantage of a shorter approach, since the Nassereinbahn, which takes you up to the Gampen and onward to the Kapallbahn, is right on your doorstep. Definitely an advantage worth making the most of!

4. St. Anton: The cradle of skiing

Incidentally, if you're not yet quite steady on two skis, you're in the right place at the ski schools in St. Anton am Arlberg. After all, the pioneers of skiing were at home on the Arlberg. As early as 1895, a parish priest tried his luck on skis and was gently mocked by the locals as a bit of an eccentric. Just four years later, however, Hermann Hartmann followed suit and was the first to climb the Galzig on skis. Some, like Hannes Schneider, practised skiing in secret, and in 1900 a group of skiers were so enthusiastic about winter sports that they founded the first ski club. St. Anton am Arlberg is therefore the cradle of skiing – you could say the locals have skiing in their blood. The advantage of an early snow season in January: the ski schools are also less busy and the snow is lovely and soft! Which brings us straight to the next reason!

5. Snow instead of ice

Admittedly, it can get pretty frosty in January at times. The upside: powder snow, even in the afternoon, no annoying slush mounds, no bare patches and, thanks to plenty of snow, no ice either. With the layering principle – wearing several different layers of clothing – you won’t feel the cold so quickly either.

6. Time to warm up

When it’s time to warm up again, mountain huts, restaurants and après-ski bars in the Arlberg ski area aren’t as crowded thanks to the low season. You won’t wait long for your hot chocolate with cream (Austrian “Schlag”) or even for a Heiße Witwe – a warm plum liqueur with cream and cinnamon. That warms you from the inside too.

7. Attractive prices without compromise: Mont Spa in St. Anton

Speaking of the low season: right now, particularly attractive rates await – not only in the ski area, but also at Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg. And that’s without any compromise. The redesigned and expanded spa area, including the Rooftop-Pool and panorama sauna, is of course open to all guests in January too. The Mont Spa also has a Finnish sauna, a sanarium, a steam bath, an experience shower, the fitness & yoga room and a panorama relaxation area with library & reading corner, spread over three levels.

Snow reliability, more room on the slopes, no queuing at the ski lifts, untouched powder runs and a relaxing spa session to end the day. What more could a skier’s heart want. Off to St. Anton am Arlberg for your ski holiday in January!