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What to pack on a group holiday
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Altitude:
Resort — 1,304m
Max — 2,811m
Skiing:
Transfer time:
Innsbruck - 1h15;
Friedrichshafen - 1h45;
Salzburg - 3h;
Munich - 3h25;
Best for
If you're about quantity AND quality, you can't go wrong with a St Anton ski holiday. Sandwiched between Tyrol and Vorarlberg, it's Austria's biggest ski resort and blessed with some of the best snow conditions in Europe.
St Anton is part of the incredible Ski Arlberg area and linked to a handful of other Austrian ski resorts, glitzy Lech being chief among them, giving you access to over 300km of prime pistes. The resort's ski heritage is pretty impressive, too, with Arlberg-native Hannes Schneider said to have developed the techniques of modern skiing in St Anton over a century ago.
It's not just about the skiing, though. St Anton has had a reputation as a party resort since the 1960s and still offers up some of the best après ski in the Alps, including the legendary Mooserwirt that's rumoured to sell more beer per square metre than anywhere else in Austria. That's a lot of beer.
St Anton ski resort
If you're after a quintessential Alpine resort that's dotted with idyllic chalets and cosy spots for a pint or three, St Anton doesn't disappoint. It's one of our team's favourite European resorts, and if you fancy escaping the UK over Christmas, you'll struggle to find somewhere that looks and feels more like a real-life Winter Wonderland.
As St Anton is spread out across the valley, its sheer size means there are countless amazing options on offer when it comes to eating, drinking and partying. Yet despite the sprawl, it's still possible to explore mostly on foot. Feeling a little worse for wear after a night out? There's always the option of hopping on a free bus back to your chalet.
St Anton additionally has a bounty of non-skiing activities up for grabs, from an indoor/outdoor swimming pool at the five-star Arlberg WellCom leisure complex to snowshoeing and paragliding in the wilderness. Got kids in tow? Don't skip taking a sleigh ride through the snow.
St Anton après
St Anton's après ski scene is the stuff of legend, making it a must-visit resort for those keen to let their hair down. Despite calling itself the "baddest" bar in the Arlberg, Mooserwirt is probably the most popular drinking hole on the slopes and where you'll see hundreds of pints being poured and plenty of table-top dancing to cheesy tunes.
Krazy Kanguruh (KKs for short) is also a St Anton staple and it's currently run by a former ski champion. The lively bar has kept skiers entertained and hydrated since 1965, plus it has a sun-drenched terrace with unbeatable views of the resort. Next door you'll find Taps, another fantastic après venue featuring a resident DJ and an ace happy hour from 3.30pm til 4.30pm. Expect to be "encouraged" on to the tables here too.
Restaurants in St Anton
Not just acclaimed for its excellent après, St Anton also offers up a decent range of restaurants where you can tuck into mouth-watering dishes with mountain views.
Get a taste of the good life and some delicious Italian grub at Dolce Vita, a smart pizzeria in the heart of St Anton. Takeout joint Pizza Kebab House is ideal if you need to sober up after a heavy drinking session, if you're after somewhere a little posher, the restaurant at Hotel Raffl's has a decadent menu of gourmet goodies.
If you're searching for somewhere to grab a snack before you hit the resort's main après ski bars, Underground on the Piste opposite the Galzigbahn lift serves up tasty tapas. What's more, they have a happy hour from 3.30pm which includes a free shot of Schnapps with every drink. Nice.
Craving a curry? Skiing Buddha is the place to go for tasty Thai food and it's right next to the arl.rock sports complex if you fancy doing some indoor climbing or beating your mates at bowling. Elsewhere, cosy San Antonio makes delicious wood-fired pizzas.
St Anton nightlife
Not just a buzzing place on the pistes, St Anton really comes alive as soon as the sun goes down.
Bar Cuba on Dorfstrasse is popular with Brits thanks to its great sports coverage and decent drinks deals. If you're missing your local boozer, Tom Dooley's Cafe at the Nasserein end of St Anton is the closest thing you'll find to an Irish pub in the Arlberg.
Like the sound of partying and pizza in the same venue? Head over to the Horny Bull which has DJs spinning sets til late, including nostalgic 90s themed nights on Tuesdays.
You could also show off your best dance moves at the silent discos at local-favourite Murrmel, watch live music and sip on specialty whiskies at Keller Bar, or have a classier night out drinking wine at Anthony's.
Mountain bites
Keen to make the most of the powder on your St Anton ski trip? It's worth noting down a few places to grab a quick bite to eat right on the slopes to save yourself some time.
Enjoy the novelty of eating delicious ribs, burgers and pulled pork 2423m above sea level at Trittkop BBQ Station, the highest barbecue restaurant in the Alps. If a bunch of you have decided to make the journey over to Lech, fuel up at Rud Alpe, an idyllic chalet restaurant with epic views and a menu of wholesome and hearty Austrian dishes. Think Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel.
A little closer to St Anton at the top of the Nassereinbahn is where you'll spot Gampenrestaurant, a mountain hut eatery which only opened its doors in 2015. With its huge sun terrace, panoramic vistas, lively music and local cuisine, it's an ideal spot for a lazier lunch.
Ski Holidays in St Anton
St Anton accommodation is definitely geared more towards your classic chalet experience. Expect to find plenty of excellent catered picks for all group sizes, with the largest able to sleep around 35 people. Our favourites include the traditional Chalet Rosanna in the centre of town, and the plush Chalet Fritz for top notch service.
Self-catered options are few and far between, but still possible to nab if you book early enough. They don't come much more luxurious than Chalet Bluebird, this beautiful chalet has its own private bar and outdoor hot tub, the perfect setting after a day on the slopes.
There are plenty of St Anton hotels to choose from, including numerous boutique-style chalet hotels. Highlights include the picturesque Hotel Alte Post (lauded for its friendly service and great spa), and the modern Hotel Pete which ticks all the boxes for a cosy boutique hotel. As a general rule, the closer you are to the heart of the resort, the steeper the prices get.
