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St. Anton, or, to give it its full name, St. Anton am Arlberg, is a ski paradise. It draws all levels of skiers, because here there are fabulous snow conditions, world-class après-ski, and good value to be found.
In particular for beginners, there are easy slopes in certain areas (we’ll tell you about these areas later), and fun slopes for families with kids who are learning to ski.
Skiers have flocked here since 1885, when a Norwegian engineer first skied here!
In this guide, we’ll help you to make the most of St. Anton as a beginner, so you can soon grow in confidence and take advantage of the entire Arlberg ski area with its 300 km of pistes.
In this beginner's guide, we answer:
- Is St Anton a good resort for beginners?
- Where to stay if you're a beginner in St Anton
- Is St Anton suitable for a first time family ski holiday?
- Beginner skiing in St Anton
- How much do lift passes cost?
- Beginner access to bars and restaurants
- How much do ski lessons cost?
- Is there a beginner friendly snow park?
Let’s explore more about learning to ski in St Anton and the surrounding area.
Is St Anton a good resort for beginners?
St. Anton is appealing to all levels of skiers, and the better you ski, the more terrain you can explore in this vast ski area. Don’t be put off though, as there are places where beginners can learn in dedicated areas and the ski school is excellent.
St. Anton is no distance from Innsbruck airport, about 90 minutes by road, which makes for straightforward travelling, especially with little ones.
The resort is one of the party hotspots of Tirol (the region in which St Anton sits), and fun-lovers can combine learning to ski with the unique, amusing and memorable experience of Austrian hospitality.
Combine lively local music with steins of beer, and food specialties such as Gröstl (a bacon, onion and potato fry-up) and Kaiserschmarrn (a sweet fluffy pancake).
The local ski school is well established and efficient, and your budget in resort will usually go further than in France.
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Obergurgl is also a great resort for beginners. This slightly tamer Austrian ski resort has a good amount of life, snow surety, and excellent beginner terrain, making it popular with families and more mature skiers.
Where to stay in St Anton if you’re a beginner
Head for Nasserein or Rendl areas. Nasserein in particular suits beginners who will ski on tree-lined slopes for good visibility, and take advantage of moving carpets on the nursery slopes.
Rendl is a separate mountain and has a short, gentle blue, served by an easy drag lift.
Gampen has special slopes for children. However, if you prefer to be in the centre of town, for all the nightlife, then be prepared to jump on a ski-bus or walk in ski boots to get to lessons.
A map of St Anton featuring some of the best areas to stay if you're a beginner skier
Is St Anton suitable for a first time family ski holiday?
St. Anton is tip top for a first time family holiday. The ski schools are well organised to take care of everyone’s needs; the choice of accommodation and restaurants is vast, and both the snow cover and snow-making are good.
The dedicated family snow park is fun to try. Along with Hopplweg from Gampen into the valley, a child-friendly ski run (no. 27). Hoppl is the funny bunny and his forest friends will be present too. Join in between Osthang and Zammermoos lifts.
A 4.2 km toboggan run is open between noon and 4.15 p.m. and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
For improving skiers the area is vast, taking in St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs and the unmissable Warth.
St. Anton has a traffic-free main street, lined by traditional-style buildings. Families will enjoy a children’s pool, ice skating and curling at the Arlberg Wellcom, right in the heart of St. Anton am Arlberg.
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Another great beginner resort is Meribel. It's got the same authentically Alpine feel as St Anton, has a great bar and apres scene, and a strong family-friendly vibe.
Zell am see is also great for beginners. It's tamer than St Anton but part of a huge ski area with access to the Skicircus, making it great for mixed ability groups.
Beginner skiing in St Anton
Runs are numbered rather than named here, and you are looking for blue pistes.
In Nasserien look for run number 31. At Rendl stay on the blues numbered 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15.
From the top of Galzig, try 64 to St. Christoph.
The Fang chairlift gives access to an easy blue run back to the village.
Where to head when you’re ready to explore St Anton
Explore more runs in Nasserein, Rendl, Gampen and Kapall, but be aware that the resort tends to understate the difficulty of the slopes, so stay on known blues until your confidence is up, and you are ready to take on steeper and/or busier slopes.
Plan a day away to St. Christoph (a short 15 minute bus) where there are decent beginner slopes served by draglifts, or Stuben for sunny nursery slopes.
Top tips for skiing in St Anton
Don’t miss booking a meal at the Hospiz Alm in St. Christoph, famed for its slide down to the toilets as well as great food and an extensive wine cellar!
Download the free Ski Arlberg App for live information on slopes and any queues.
Local TV channels are also helpful with information on snow conditions.
How much do lift passes cost in St Anton?
A guide price for a daily lift pass is €75 per adult; €45 per child (8-15 years) and €68 per youth (16-19 years) or senior pass (64-74 years) in the season 24/25.
Reduced prices are available for under 8s and over 75s.
Is there a free lift pass for St Anton?
You’ll start on free magic carpets with your instructor, so check in with them first before buying a pass.
Is there a discounted lift pass for beginners?
Yes, beginners will pay around 60% of the full price.
The discount applies to children, youth and adults. It allows access to a limited number of lifts.
St Anton après bars and restaurants accessible to beginner skiers
Head for Rodelalm on the far left of the Gampen slopes. It has a lovely beamed interior, and plenty of traditional food on offer.
Or try Verwallstube on Galzig, in a class of its own.
Rendl Restaurant is a great self-service restaurant featuring the Rendl ‘Beach Bar’, with breathtaking views over the legendary Stanton Park.
Note that the après institutions of Krazy Kanguruh and Mooserwirt bars on run no. 50 require you to ski down after, so go with caution.
Note the no. 50 is a blue, but churned up snow and hundreds of wobbly skiers will make for an unsteady run down (particularly if you've had a few drinks yourself)
Read more
Discover more about St Anton's party scene in our guide to the best après bars and nightlife hotspots in St Anton.
How much do ski lessons cost in St Anton?
Beginners appreciate the excellent, well established local ski school.
Novices usually start in a small group getting used to their equipment and doing simple drills on gentle slopes either in the valley or higher up the mountain.
A group lesson starts at €123 per person per session, reducing if 5 days are pre booked, rising to €294 per session for a private teacher. In groups, you’ll typically buy a 5 or 6 day-long series of lessons. Private lessons can be as short as one hour and upwards to suit you.
Private classes do get booked up early, especially for school holiday dates, so get ahead to confirm your choice. Here are ‘from’ prices, indicative for the 24/25 season.
| Ski School | Group lesson per adult per session | Group lesson per child per session | Private lesson adult per 2 hours | Private lesson child per 2 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski School St Anton |
Peak: €123 Non peak: €123 |
Peak: €123 Non peak: €123 |
Peak: €294 Non peak: €294 |
Peak: €294 Non peak: €294 |
| Newgen |
Peak: €300 per week Non peak: €300 per week |
Peak: €300 per week Non peak: €300 per week |
Peak: €155 Non peak: €155 |
Peak: €155 Non peak: €155 |
Is there a beginner-friendly snow park in St Anton?
The 320-metre long and popular Stanton park on Rendl is recommended and features a beginner area.
Situated just below the top of the gondola, there’s a beginner area including jumps, kickers, boxes and rails,with a fun-cross for kids, and a chill-out zone.
Overall, is St Anton a good choice for beginners?
St. Anton is a great option for those who wish to learn to ski in one of the top resorts worldwide for atmosphere, après, great snow conditions and easy travelling.
A classic Tirolean welcome awaits, for memories that will stay with you forever, and possibly see you returning to the mighty Arlberg year after year.
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Make sure to check out our guide on why St Anton is a great ski resort for even more reasons to go!
Book Your Beginner Ski Holiday to St Anton
If St Anton sounds like the ideal ski resort for you, then make sure to check out our St Anton ski holidays. We've got thousands of ski holidays and excellent deals to be had on St Anton chalets and hotels.
Our team of excellent ski specialists are on hand to help you plan and book an amazing first ski holiday to St Anton, so make sure to give them a call or send them an enquiry.
If you're looking to head to St Anton as part of a group, make sure to check out our guide on how to book a group ski holiday from our sales team leader, Laura Waple. She offers loads of advice on choosing a resort, accommodation, how to handle different budgets and more.