Snowed off the Mooserwirt terrace - St Anton in April
Spring skiing in St Anton am Arlberg - image © www.skiingaustria.co.uk
A couple of great days in St Anton getting a real mix of snow and spring sun. Yes what better way to spend the last month of the winter season moving between the Zillertal Arena and the Arlberg, staying in 4 star luxury at the Hotel Montjola in St Anton - great food, staff and located just above the main resort centre. The Rendl side of the St Anton ski area hosted a ski instructors race on the Sunday (serious bragging rights on offer in this most seriously hardcore alpine village). Not sure who won or whether they were in the Mooserwirt later that day but we took some of our staff over and had to show them how hard St Anton can party. We got snowed off the terrace and put on our dancing boots indoors - the Mooserwirt is tough to beat for après ski anywhere. Monday was spent at the Rendl (the new rendlbahn lift if you haven’t used it is a great addition to St Anton). Then we headed over to St Christoph, the Valluga and then down to Stuben am Arlberg. So one weekend and two of my top ski areas in the Alps - I personally would choose to ski in the Zillertal Arena or the Arlberg every time and in preference to some very big names in European skiing - they are both superb. A couple more trips to some local ski areas before the glacier skiing actions starts!
Escaping the April snow in the Mooserwirt après ski Mecca - image © www.skiingaustria.co.uk
if you were in the Moose bar, I can only imagine the mess Mr Brown, but as usual, wish it was me!
I have to say that my dancing did little to add to the overall style of the place. I have never been great on the dance floor but in ski boots I move like a new born foal. Great après ski bar though and fitting to be in one of the very best ski destinations the world over. St Anton really is tough to beat on and off the slopes.
How is the new link to Rendl, up & running efficently???
Yes it is all good, brand spanking new gondola and the relocation of the rendlbahn basestation makes a great central ski hub in St Anton. Previously you had to take a rope lift up a strange section of snow before a walk down to the old lift station, otherwise it was a walk or bus all the way. This really ties things together in St Anton - not sure what soem of the die hard Rendlers think about it offering great access to their palyground but all in all great for St Anton. There is much talk of linking over into Kappl in the Paznaun and there are pretty definite plans to link Alpe Rauz to Zurs, that really would be a mighty piece in an immense jigsaw.
yes! & a trumpy ski pass price to match!
Well you pay for what you get - possibly the best ski region in the Alps doesn’t come as cheap as my local 8 lift hill for sure. But if you compare the Arlberg with say Kitzbuhel, the prices are similar although that is where the comparisons end. The Arlberg has better skiing, better lifts, better snow and for those reasons the Arlberg offers great value for money on the lifts. Don’t get me wrong I really rate the resort of Kitzbuhel and enjoy the skiing in the region but a euro spent on an Arlberg ski ticket gives far more bang for the buck than in a region like Kitz.