Guide To: Skiing in St. Anton am Arlberg — Pistes, Sectors and the Run of Fame
300 km of pistes, 85 lifts and over 200 km of powder runs, spread across eight villages on a single pass. This guide explains how the area fits together, what the sectors above St. Anton actually are, who the place suits — and what the Run of Fame asks of you.
Quick Answer
- The ski area: 300 km of pistes and 85 lifts on one pass — Ski Arlberg, the largest connected ski area in Austria
- Eight villages, one pass: St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Oberlech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken
- Off the marked runs: over 200 km of powder runs — the reason a lot of people come here at all
- Snow: an average of nine metres of natural snowfall each winter
- Run of Fame: over 85 km and more than 18,000 vertical metres, St. Anton/Rendl to Warth
- Altitudes: the village sits at 1,304 m, the Valluga at 2,811 m
- 2026/27 season: 2 December 2026 to 18 April 2027
- Reaching the lifts: we drive from Nasserein, Moos, Stadle and St. Jakob to the base station before it opens
Where St. Anton sits
St. Anton am Arlberg sits in western Tyrol, close to the Vorarlberg border, on the eastern side of the Arlberg — at 1,304 m. St. Christoph and Stuben are on the same side; Lech, Oberlech and Zürs on the other, with Warth and Schröcken further north. Together those are the eight villages of Ski Arlberg.
Unlike most large ski resorts, St. Anton has its own railway station in the middle of the village. How to get here — by plane, train or car — is in our guide on how to get to St. Anton.
Eight villages on one pass
Ski Arlberg is the largest connected ski area in Austria: 300 km of marked pistes and 85 lifts. This is where most of the numbers get misread — the 300 km are for the whole area, not for St. Anton on its own.
Since the Flexenbahn the east side hangs together with the west, and the Auenfeldjet carries on towards Warth-Schröcken. In practice that means you start above St. Anton, ski through St. Christoph to Stuben, cross to Zürs and Lech — and are back here by evening. The history behind it, from Hannes Schneider to the first ski school, is on our skiing in St. Anton section.
The sectors above the village
Several lifts run up from St. Anton, and which one you take shapes the day. Galzig is the main way up from the village centre and the link on to the Valluga, at 2,811 m the highest point of the area. Kapall and Gampen sit above and below it on the same side. Nasserein has its own lift at the eastern edge of the village.
Rendl is across the valley, facing all the others, and Ski Arlberg describes it as St. Anton's sunny side — peaceful, spacious, and home to the stanton park, the freestyle area. If you are staying several days, give Rendl at least half of one, instead of walking to the Galzigbahn with everyone else every morning.
Which sector is right on a given day depends on wind, sun and snow — a question your driver answers better in the morning than any page on the internet.
Nine metres of snow, and a long season
Ski Arlberg reports an average of nine metres of natural snowfall each winter. Together with the altitude — 1,304 m in the village, 2,811 m on the Valluga — that is the reason for its snow-sure reputation. But "on average" is not "every week": conditions vary from winter to winter, and anyone booking ahead should check the official snow and lift information shortly before travelling.
For winter 2026/27 the published Ski Arlberg season runs from 2 December 2026 to 18 April 2027. At the edges of the season, what actually runs depends on conditions, as it does anywhere in high mountains.
For beginners
Two questions get mixed up here: "can you learn to ski in St. Anton?" and "is St. Anton a beginner resort?" The first answer is yes — there are ski schools, instruction from the first turn, and terrain to learn on. The second is no: the place made its name on sporty skiing, steep descents and deep snow.
Which is exactly why St. Anton works for mixed groups: the beginner takes lessons while the rest have 300 km in front of them. Which slopes are used for teaching moves with the conditions — your ski school will tell you that more reliably than any page.
For advanced skiers: over 200 km off the marked runs
Alongside the 300 km of pistes, Ski Arlberg has over 200 km of powder runs. That is the figure behind St. Anton's reputation, and the reason a lot of guests come back year after year.
It is also the figure that asks for respect. Terrain off the marked runs is not patrolled and not controlled, conditions change between one morning and the next, and a white slope seen from a lift is not an invitation. Ski Arlberg recommends local ski guides for freeride terrain — not so that you find better powder, but so that somebody shares the decision about where it is sensible to ski that day.
Run of Fame: over 85 km and 18,000 vertical metres
The longest continuous ski circuit in the Alps starts at Rendl in St. Anton and runs via Stuben, Zürs, Lech and Schröcken to Warth — across the Arlberg, Flexen and Hochtannberg passes, over 85 km long and more than 18,000 vertical metres. Three checkpoints sit along the way: the Hall of Fame in Zürs, the Dorfbahn valley station in Warth, and the top station of the Rifflbahn I or II in St. Anton. Ski all three and you collect the ski pole spike.
It is a full day rather than an afternoon out, and the last lift decides whether it works. If it does not bring you back to St. Anton in one piece, call us: we collect from Lech, Zürs, Stuben or Warth and drive you home, at any hour.
Getting to the lifts in the morning
The part of a ski day nobody writes about: the twenty minutes between breakfast and the first lift, carrying skis, poles and boots. From Nasserein, Moos, Stadle or St. Jakob that walk is doable, and after fresh snow it is work. We drive it every morning — to the Galzigbahn and the Nassereinbahn, including before the lifts open — and skis and snowboards travel free on the rear rack. How it works in the village is on our taxi in St. Anton page.
Arriving with ski equipment
A journey that looks simple with one suitcase feels different with four people, four cases, four pairs of skis and the boot bags. On our private airport transfers skis and snowboards travel free — outside on the rear rack, the rest inside the vehicle — so there is no separate luggage transfer to organise.
We drive to St. Anton am Arlberg from all six airports in the region: Zurich Airport, Innsbruck Airport, Munich Airport, Friedrichshafen, Memmingen and St. Gallen–Altenrhein. Innsbruck is the closest; Zurich has the widest range of international connections — which one suits you depends on your flight.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres of piste does St. Anton am Arlberg have?
300 km of marked pistes and 85 lifts, all on one pass. That figure is for Ski Arlberg as a whole — eight connected villages, not St. Anton on its own.
Which villages are on the Ski Arlberg pass?
St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Oberlech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken. Since the Flexenbahn they are linked, so you can ski from St. Anton over to Lech and back in the same day.
When does the ski season start and end in St. Anton?
For winter 2026/27 the published Ski Arlberg season runs from 2 December 2026 to 18 April 2027. As always in high mountains, what runs at the edges of the season depends on conditions.
How much snow does St. Anton get?
Ski Arlberg reports an average of nine metres of natural snowfall each winter. The village sits at 1,304 m and the area rises to 2,811 m — the altitude and the position are the reason for its snow-sure reputation. It still varies from one winter to the next.
Is St. Anton suitable for beginners?
Yes. There are ski schools and terrain to learn on, and the same pass covers the gentler slopes across the Arlberg. But St. Anton is known for sporty skiing, steep descents and deep snow — a first week here goes furthest with lessons. Which slopes are used for teaching moves with conditions, so ask your ski school.
Is St. Anton good for advanced skiers?
That is what the place is known for: over 200 km of powder runs alongside the 300 km of pistes, and the high-alpine terrain under the Valluga. Off the marked runs nothing is patrolled or controlled — for guests who do not know the mountain, Ski Arlberg recommends local ski guides.
What is the Run of Fame?
The longest continuous ski circuit in the Alps: over 85 km and more than 18,000 vertical metres, running from St. Anton/Rendl via Stuben, Zürs, Lech and Schröcken to Warth, crossing the Arlberg, Flexen and Hochtannberg passes. Ski all three checkpoints — the Hall of Fame in Zürs, the Dorfbahn valley station in Warth, and the top station of the Rifflbahn I or II in St. Anton — and you collect the ski pole spike.
Can I ski from St. Anton to Lech and Zürs?
Yes, over the Flexenbahn, and on towards Warth-Schröcken with the Auenfeldjet. Plan the way back: the area is large, and crossing several sectors late in the afternoon is a different thing from a few runs above your hotel. If it does not work out, we collect you.
How high is St. Anton am Arlberg?
The village sits at 1,304 m and the ski area rises to 2,811 m on the Valluga.
How do I get to the base station in the morning?
With us, if you would rather not walk. We drive from Nasserein, Moos, Stadle and St. Jakob to the Galzigbahn and the Nassereinbahn, including before the lifts open. Skis and snowboards travel free on the rear rack.
Can I bring skis and snowboards on an airport transfer?
Yes, free and in both directions. Skis and boards ride outside on the rear rack, boot bags and helmets inside. Tell us how many pairs are coming and we plan the right vehicle.
Which airport is best for St. Anton?
Innsbruck is the closest; Zurich has the widest range of international connections. Munich, Friedrichshafen, Memmingen and St. Gallen–Altenrhein are options depending on your flight. We drive from all six.
We drive the Arlberg roads every day of the season — to the lifts in the morning, between the villages in the afternoon, and home long after the lifts have stopped.