The St. Anton guide to a varied day of skiing – Ski Arlberg

In St. Anton am Arlberg, they know exactly what active mountain fans are looking for. Read on for everything worth knowing about your ski day in the Arlberg ski area.

A balanced breakfast as the foundation, challenging slopes on the mountain, alternative sports for an extra boost of power, then loosening up those muscles with some spa time, and replenishing your energy reserves at dinner. We'll show you the best spots for true winter sports enthusiasts!

The right foundation before skiing

Protein from mountain cheese, farmhouse ham and egg, complex carbohydrates from wholegrain bread, vitamins from fruit, vegetable sticks and various juices: you'll find this balanced sportsman's breakfast at the Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg, where there's also bacon, omelettes and crunchy muesli on offer. But this day is going to be an active one, so the body needs to be supplied with the right nutrients. Ready for a day full of movement? Let's go!

From Hotel Arlmont straight onto St. Anton’s slopes

Good news – you barely need to move from the ski room at Hotel Arlmont to reach the ski lift. The Nassereinbahn in St. Anton is right on the doorstep. Clip in your skis and head up the mountain. Records are being broken today! In total, there are 303 kilometres of pistes, of which 51 km are marked with the highest difficulty level, “black”.

The Valluga – the longest run in St. Anton am Arlberg

The longest run in St. Anton am Arlberg is the one from the Vallugabahn I down to St. Anton’s village centre. This is also where the legendary race “Der weiße Rausch” takes place. It starts at the mountain station of the Valluga gondola. From there, it’s a short stretch downhill, then up a hill via a drag lift – in the “Weißer Rausch” ski race, this hill is tackled on foot. That’s no small feat at such an altitude and in ski boots. From the drag lift, you then head along a black piste, first towards Stuben, before switching at the “Ulmerhütte” mountain inn onto the piste towards St. Anton, which continues with a long straight schuss. Next comes the narrow Steißbach valley, which opens up after a short flat stretch into a beautiful, wide piste leading all the way down into the valley. Skiers cover over ten kilometres and 1.347 vertical metres here. No mercy for your calves! Alternatively, after the drag lift, you can also take the off-piste variant through the

“Schindlerkar” ski terrain towards St. Anton. This one also leads into the Steißbach valley. Both pistes are quite steep at the start – so only for experienced skiers with well-sharpened edges!

How many kilometres can you cover in a day's skiing?

Some skiers want to cover even more distance. Legendary here is the Run of Fame from St. Anton via St. Christoph, Stuben, Zürs and Lech, over Schröcken to Warth. Equally popular: the White Ring. This circuit covers over 22 kilometres and 5.500 metres of altitude, running from Lech over the Rüfikopf with its viewing platform to Zürs and Madloch to the natural platform, and from there on to Zug, Oberlech and back to Lech. So that at the end of such a ski day you also know just how far you've really travelled, there's of course a tracking feature for your own performance. So, who got the furthest today?

Cross-country skiing – a gentle workout for 90 % of your muscles

But that’s not all when it comes to getting around on two planks. Ever tried cross-country skiing? It’s more strenuous than you’d think, but it comes with a joint-friendly full-body workout included. This sport works up to 90 % of your muscles. And, as it happens, St. Anton am Arlberg is home to one of Austria’s most beautiful cross-country trails – or so say the Austrian winter sports platforms. The Verwall trail is ten kilometres long and of medium difficulty. It leads into the romantically snow-covered Verwall valley and loops around Lake Verwall. There are ups and downs throughout. Skating is possible – at one narrow point, there’s briefly only a classic track. As the sun shines through the trees, clear mountain air fills your lungs and the slim skis glide along, your mind clears too. Ideal conditions for the perfect end to the day.

Panorama sauna and rooftop pool after skiing

Your mind is clear after a day out in the snow – now it’s your muscles’ turn to relax. In the panorama sauna on the roof of Hotel Arlmont, right next to the Rooftop Pool, your muscles get a proper boost in circulation, which may well lessen any muscle soreness afterwards. Next, head to the panorama relaxation area on the first of three spa levels, or straight to the steam bath with essential oils that delight a cold nose. On the same level, a pleasant massage may also be waiting for you. After such an active day, a traditional Swedish massage is definitely recommended.

Off to bed with a full stomach at Hotel Arlmont

With that relaxed feeling, just one thing is missing for the perfect sporty day in St. Anton am Arlberg: a good meal to refill your energy reserves. It's not just the cooking that's young and fresh, but the ingredients too. Delivered by regional suppliers and producers, our chefs create a colourful variety of traditional dishes with multicultural influences. Then a digestif at the Arlmont Bar before the wonderfully soft bed calls. That's how a sporty day at Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg comes to a fitting close.