Ski area

St Anton is one of Europe’s best ski areas for challenging on- and off-piste skiiing and boarding, with around 2,160 ha (5,400 acres) in the St. Anton area alone. St Anton's high annual snowfall and extensive, varied terrain including nearby ski resorts Lech and Zurs puts it head and shoulders above most other Austrian resorts (See snow forecast St Anton).

The main St Anton ski area consists of the interconnecting mountains of Gampen (and Kapall), Galzig and Valluga to the north, and Rendl to the south. The tougher skiing is found higher up the mountain on the slopes of Schindler and Valluga and there are endless off-piste skiing possibilities in St Anton that offer challenges up to expert level.

Galzig
Much of the best skiing begins at Galzig (2,185 m), which can be reached directly from St Anton village via the main Galzig cable car or by skiing across from Gampen (1,850 m) and taking the Zammermoos chairlift. There’s excellent skiing above Galzig on Valluga (2,811 m) or Schindlergrat (2,605 m), with access to a number of classic red and black ski routes as well as fantastic views of the Arlberg and amazing off-piste options.



Valluga
The Valluga I cable car from the middle station at Galzig has been upgraded and the old ticketing system is no longer needed. Take the cable car up to Valluga or follow the black run (No.10) over the back of Galzig to the Schindlergrat triple chair, for access to the Schindler ski routes and the delightful run past Ulmer Hütte down to Rauz, under the road and all the way to Stuben. The 6-man Arlenmahderbahn chairlift (added in 2003/04) allows better use of the scenic Arlenmahder slopes to the left beneath the Schindlergrat chair base station.

Rendl
Access to Rendl (2,100 m) is by means of an efficient 6-man gondola reached by a 2-minute free bus ride from the western end of St. Anton. At the top of the gondola is a wide, open ski area with good slopes for both beginners and intermediates . The Riffel I & II chairlifts allow intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders to head up to Riffelscharte (2,645 m) from where there are challenging on and off-piste descents. Access to the higher slopes has been improved with the addition of a new 6-man chairlift, which rises to 2,390m and replaces the long Gampberg draglift. Once you have finished exploring the upper reaches take a drink at the Ice Bar on ‘Rendl Beach’ then ski the long red run back to Rendl base station.

Zürs and Lech
The nearby ski resorts of Zürs and Lech, a taxi or bus ride away, offer easier skiing. When conditions allow, expert and advanced skiers accompanied by a guide can reach Zürs via the infamous north face descent off the back of Valluga. The smaller resort of Sonnenkopf, connected by a free bus service, has wonderful forest trails and off-piste possibilities.