Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain In St. Anton

For intermediate skiers, St. Anton is a paradise since it presents a range of slopes, landscape, and ambiance to fit every taste and mood. You will never get bored or disappointed in St. Anton whether your goals are to challenge yourself on the steep and well-known runs of Valluga, Schindler, and Galzig or enjoy the quieter and more laid-back slopes of Rendl and Stuben or investigate the legendary White Ring circuit of Lech-Zürs.

Skiers and boarders in intermediate levels can negotiate the breathtaking mountain surroundings of St. Anton. It is more than a mile long to descend from the three main mountains of St. Anton from their heights to town level. The longest path from Valluga to St. Anton is 10.2km (6.4 miles) via Ulmer Hütte; other noteworthy St. Anton red and black routes are high on the list of itineraries to be investigated.

• Valluga: The highest mountain in St. Anton, Valluga presents some of the most difficult runs in the resort together with amazing views of the Alps. Legendary off-piste path Valluga North Face calls for a guide and a harness; intermediate skiers can enjoy the steep and thrilling red runs Valluga West and East. Any intermediate skier must-do is the Valluga to St. Anton path, which winds across a range of terrain and scenery from broad open slopes to narrow forest paths.
• Schindler: Popular for intermediate skiers, Schindler provides a range of red and blue runs fit for varying degrees of confidence and ability. While the Schindlerkar and Mattun runs are more gentle and picturesque, the long-standing classic red to Ulmer Hütte and blue to Rauz will stretch even the fittest skiers’ leg muscles. For those wishing to try some powder skiing, Schindler also has some marked but ungroomed ski paths.
• Galzig: Mostly of the lifts and pistes converge at Galzig, the main hub of St. Anton. Among the most well-known and packed runs in the resort, the Kandahar black run will test your thigh muscles and short turns. The Galzig red run, which is wide and cruisy, or the Osthang run, which is steeper and more difficult, are another enjoyment available to intermediate skiers. Great for beginners and families, Galzig also features some fun blue runs including the Gampen and the Tanzböden.

With intermediates having a half-dozen blue runs, red runs, and ski paths on wide-open slopes as well as a long red run descent from the top of the Gampberg lift down to St. Anton and a somewhat shorter variant from Rendl Beach, Rendl is usually a quieter alternative for those wishing to avoid the busier slopes on St. Anton’s Galzig side. Rendl features a snowpark and a funslope with jumps, rails, and challenges, so attracting freestylers as well.

Stuben claims some of the best piste skiing worldwide on the north-facing Albona (2,400m), where the snow stays in good condition until May. Three chairlifts provide access to some amazing red routes as well as an opportunity to test your snow skills far from the famous St. Anton slopes. From the Albona’s middle station, a blue hill leads to Alpe Rauz, where you can once more access the main St. Anton ski area.

Further out, Lech-Zürs offers great intermediate skiing that is conveniently reachable by bus. Start at Zürs and ski the White Ring circuit from Zug to Oberlech for lunch; then, down to Lech, take the cable car up the other side to finish the White Ring circuit by skiing back to Zürs and either using a ski bus or taxi to get St Anton. Legendary ski circuit The White Ring boasts 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) of altitude difference and 22 km (14 miles) of slopes. It’s a fantastic approach to enjoy Lech-Zürs’ elegance and charm as well as the diversity and beauty of the Arlberg ski area.

St. Anton is a perfect place for experienced and professional skiers since of its difficult terrain. Over the beautiful Arlberg area, the ski area provides steep slopes, moguls, ski routes, and lots of off-piste possibilities. Advanced skiers can explore a range of demanding terrain, including the ungroomed Schindlerkar and Mattun ski routes, noted for steep descents and lots of moguls. With descents of more than 1,000 meters across varied terrain, Stuben provides choices including the red routes on the Albona north face. One of the longest lift-accessible off-piste descents in the Alps, the renowned Valluga north face off-piste challenges expert skiers. Along with lots of off-piste opportunities in Warth Schroecken, including steep lines both on and off the piste, the Flexenbahn lift offers access to about thirty ungroomed trails in Lech Zurs.

With almost 200 square kilometers of terrain covered, St Anton’s great off-piste skiing is one of its main draws. Because off-piste skiing in St Anton entails negotiating steep slopes, deep powder, cliffs, rocks, and trees, it is not for the timid. For those who are up for the challenge, though, it can be an exciting and gratifying one. Among the most often used off-piste locations in St Anton are the Rendl backside, the Gampen bowl, the Kapall ridge, and the St Antoner Schattseite. Lifts or hiking will allow one access to these areas, which provide a range of difficulty levels from intermediate to professional. St Anton’s off-piste skiing, however, also calls for a great degree of knowledge, skill, and safety consciousness since many hazards and risks are involved. Before heading off-piste, it is therefore highly advised to have a qualified guide hired, carry the necessary tools, and verify the avalanche conditions.

The marked but ungroomed trails that provide a more natural and difficult skiing experience make St Anton’s ski routes another highlight. Advanced skiers who wish to enjoy the terrain and scenery of off-piste skiing will find ski routes perfect, but with lift access and signage, security and convenience are guaranteed. St Anton boasts more than 120 kilometers of terrain covered over over thirty ski routes. Located on the Valluga peak and providing steep, mogul-filled descends, some of the most well-known ski routes in St Anton are Schindlerkar and Mattun. Another well-liked ski path provides breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and runs along the same-named ridge. St Anton’s ski paths are not groomed or patrolled, thus skiers should use care and follow the signs and markings. Before starting a ski trip, skiers should review the daily reports as weather and snow conditions affect ski routes.

• Schindler: The Schindlergrat triple chairlift to Schindler Spitze (2,660m) is among St. Anton’s most often used (and now oldest) chairlifts. Along with the especially fun red run to Ulmer Htte, it offers access to some of the most easily available off-piste lines, including big bowls, steep chutes, and small gullies. Under the chairlift, there is some amazing off-piste on south-facing slopes that one may reach by guiding from the top of the chairlift or by skiing west along Schindler Spitze’s shoulder. Professionals only have access to the steep west-facing chutes at the peak of the Schindlergrat chairlift, surrounded by a high fence. Should none of these choices appeal to you, give the Schindlerkar (86) trip some thought. Another popular descent is the challenging ski trail Mattunjoch (90).
• Valluga: The same runs as the Schindlergrat are accessible via the Valluga cable, which links Galzig (2,165m) and Vallugagrat (2,650m). It will also lead you to the little (4-person) Valluga II cable car, which will get you to the observation platform atop the Valluga (2,811m) for breathtaking views or to ski off-piste down the fable Valluga north face. Only on the Valluga II cable car, under a qualified guide, are skis and snowboards allowed. Steer your way left between rocks and stones to the Pazieljoch saddle, then ski the incredible wide snow fields all the way down to Zürs avoiding falls as you weave. The gradient is rather moderate following the Pazieljoch, but the first exposed plunge from the Valluga peak poses a risk to fall on and not for the faint of heart.
• Stuben: The immaculate snowfall of Arlberg offers lifetime off-piste skiing. The brave skier under professional direction will come across open mountain sides and thick forests. On the Albonagrat’s North Face, as well as on the south side, there are many off-piste choices. Go with care or, better still, pay a guide; be advised, though, that there is a belt of rocks around almost the whole North face and some paths are far steeper and narrower than others. Also avoid skiing into Stuben using paths other than the designated pistes and paths since there are steep cliffs and rocky gullies there. Longer off-piste paths (accessed from the top of Albonagrat) include the moderately difficult Geisleger on the north face, which often holds great powder and is good for short turns; and the more difficult Maroikopf-Langen route, which involves booting up 20–30 minutes to Maroikopf followed by 4 miles off-piste and 1,300 m vertical, taking in the “Krachel” snow bowl and the narrow “Wasserfall”.
• Rendl: Rendl’s special field makes the surroundings more cosy. The most easily accessible are the black run and untracked trails from the top of the Gampberg lift connecting to the long red run home, the ungroomed “good skiers only” area at the top of the Riffel II lift, the extreme route between the Salzboden drag and the Maass chair (which also has off-piste to the side), and the off-piste chutes and gullies beneath the Riffel 1 chair that you could assess riding up on this lift. The most difficult terrain, though, is hidden far from the lifts; thus, hire a local mountain guide and, if time permits, tour the deep snow in Rossfall, Hinter Rendl, and Malfontal. After skiing towards Rendl, shoulder your skis for a 30-minute climb before enjoying 10km (6 miles) of amazing backcountry skiing and 1,350 m vertical across the Malfon valley to Pettneu, returning by taxi. The moderately difficult Rendlscharte-Malfontal can be reached by dropping off the back of Rendl into Hinter Rendl.