With over €700 million (£595 million) worth of spending on ski infrastructure last year, you know that Austria takes skiing very seriously. From winter to early spring every year, skiers from all over the globe travel to the Tyrolean Alps, boosting Austria’s tourism figures. The region of St. Anton is a favourite for tourists visiting Austria.
The Treasure of Austria
In addition to its reputation for having one of the best après-ski scenes in Europe, St. Anton is the place to be for professional skiers. St. Anton has over 55 km of off-piste terrains and a town bursting with restaurants, hotels and ski chalets for tourists and locals alike. This great combination of pristine slopes and a vibrant social scene makes it the ultimate destination for veteran skier.
The resort is part of Austria’s largest linked ski area called the Arlberg, which comprises 305 km of runs serviced by 87 efficient lifts. With the addition of the newly installed Flexenbahn gondola, skiers can now move even more easily around the Arlberg from St. Anton. Despite the prestige of the resort, prices remain reasonable — families on the hunt for economical holidays can still find well-priced accommodation in St. Anton.
An Adventure in Valluga
Making it to the list of the world’s best and extreme ski lifts is St. Anton’s Valluga. The run down the Valluga peak is one of St. Anton’s main attractions. Valluga II can only be accessed by cable car from Valluga I and groups must be accompanied by a mountain guide. The cable car can fit up to five people and takes the ski group to the 2,811-meter trail of Valluga II.
According to CNN, the Valluga north face is a classic itinerary for more advanced skiers. The mountain has a steep top section that opens into rolling powder fields to Zurs, a part of the Arlberg region. The most sought-after part of the trip is, of course, the freedom to explore one of the Alps’ great off-piste, which definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted.
With fear-defying slopes and piste-perfect weather, a trip to St. Anton is one for the books.
