St Anton am Arlberg, Austria

St Anton am Arlberg holds a special place in skiing history — this is where Hannes Schneider developed the Arlberg ski technique in the 1920s, effectively creating the foundation of modern Alpine skiing instruction. Today, the village sits at the heart of the Arlberg ski area — one of Europe's great ski domains at 305km of linked piste.

The Arlberg Ski Area

The Arlberg area links six resort villages — St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, and Warth-Schröcken — through a combination of lifts and marked ski routes. This interconnected network provides an enormous variety of terrain that can occupy serious skiers for weeks.

St Anton itself is the largest and most vibrant of the resorts, combining excellent skiing with a lively après-ski scene that is among the best in the Alps.

Off-Piste: The Valluga

The Valluga (2,811m) is the highest point in the Arlberg ski area and the access point for some of the most challenging off-piste terrain in Austria. The descent from the Valluga into the Pazieltal valley is considered one of the great off-piste ski experiences in the world — but it requires appropriate skills, equipment, and a mountain guide.

St Anton is strongly associated with off-piste skiing, and much of the resort's reputation rests on its challenging backcountry terrain. Off-piste cover is not just recommended — it's essential for the full St Anton experience.

Austrian Medical System

Austria has excellent medical facilities, and rescue services (Austrian Red Cross and Alpine rescue services) are well-equipped and experienced. However, the costs for uninsured international visitors can be significant. A helicopter rescue in the Austrian Alps typically costs €2,000–€5,000, and hospital treatment is charged at private rates for non-EU visitors.