St. Anton am Arlberg combines the scale of a large ski area with a distinctive history of skiing. Summer in the mountains has its own character, too: summer lifts provide access to starting points for hikes, mountain tours and via ferratas; the Rendl Trail is one of the destinations mentioned for mountain bikers. Which side of the resort you focus on depends above all on when you travel and what interests you.
Ski area and early ski history
Ski Arlberg offers 300 kilometres of ski runs and 200 kilometres of off-piste variants. There are also 85 lifts and cable cars. These figures describe different aspects: the length of the ski runs, the off-piste variants and the number of lift facilities. This makes it possible to consider the range of routes and the infrastructure separately. The figures refer to Ski Arlberg; when planning a specific visit, it is also important to check which facilities are operating during that season.
Several early events in skiing are also associated with St. Anton am Arlberg. The first ski club was founded there in 1901. The first ski race took place in St. Anton am Arlberg in 1904, and Austria’s first ski school opened there in 1921. The sequence of dates runs from the founding of a club to competition and then ski-school education. The history of skiing in the resort is therefore reflected not in a single milestone, but in different forms of organised sport.
Local history at the museum
The Ski & Local Heritage Museum was established in 1981 in the elegant interior of the Herrenhaus. On the upper floor, it has seven exhibition rooms documenting local ski history and the development of St. Anton am Arlberg into a world-famous ski resort. The subject matter thus spans the history of skiing in the area and the development of the destination. For travellers interested in the cultural side of the resort as well as its activities, the museum is a destination in its own right.
Another historic building is the Arlberg Kandahar Home: this Tyrolean-style hunting lodge offers a view of St. Anton am Arlberg.
Summer lifts, hikes and mountain biking
In the warmer months, summer lifts provide direct access to the starting points of circular hiking trails, mountain tours and via ferratas. The possible activities differ mainly in what they involve: you can choose a circular hike, go on a mountain tour or explore a via ferrata. The summer lifts also provide access to mountain biking routes on the mountain, including the Rendl Trail. As activities and lift access are seasonal, it is advisable to check operating information before your trip.
Puzzle adventure and toboggan run
The Detective Trail is an interactive puzzle adventure through St. Anton am Arlberg, with 17 stations. It starts and ends at the St. Anton am Arlberg tourist office. This gives you the option of an activity in the resort itself, in addition to those in the mountains. Availability and booking conditions may change, so check them in advance if you plan to do the trail.
For a tobogganing trip, the starting point of the toboggan run is at an altitude of 1,850 metres and can be reached by gondola from Nasserein. The run is rated intermediate and is suitable for beginners and families. The offer combines a specific altitude with a stated difficulty rating and suitability. Access depends, however, on lift operations and the weather; check conditions before setting out.
Trip planning therefore offers several clearly distinct focuses: the ski area and ski history, summer activities in the mountains, and things to do in the resort and on the toboggan run.
Discover more destinations: Grins, Vergötschen, Tösens, Schönwies, Nauders, Pettneu am Arlberg, Spiss, Pfunds
Return to the regional travel overview: Landeck.
