With the Flexenbahn connection linking St Anton and Zürs opening the possibility to ski from Rendl in the south to Warth in the north, the route has now been sign-posted for the coming 2018/19 winter season and will be known as the ‘Run of Fame’. Incorporating the long-established Lech-Zürs ‘White Ring’ ski circuit, the ‘Run if Fame’ is sure to encourage those staying in St Anton to reach far north to ski area of Warth in the Bregenzerwald ski region with its waypoints and signage. It takes in the some of the best piste skiing in the Arlberg region and yet includes just a fleeting glance of the Stuben ski area.
Stuben is accessed via the Flexenbahn intersection, with the vast majority of the ski traffic heading from St Anton to Zürs (or the opposite direction) but with very little spilling into the main Stuben ski area. With staggering snow accumulations, some of the best off-piste in the Alps and a resort centre that oozes charm, Stuben is going to be sadly missed by many. But for the locals and those Arlberg skiers and snowboarders in the know, this could be the ideal solution for them – with ‘Run of Fame’ signposts diverting traffic away from their hallowed snow fields. The few dated lifts in the Stuben area are passionately protected for dissuading the masses to ski in Stuben and the ski area remains an unknown gem in the European ski market.
Those on a corporate ski trip can enjoy the challenge of covering the big distances on the ‘Run of Fame’, whilst there are some fantastic off-piste sections that can be brought into the circuit, especially in the St Anton, Zürs and Warth areas. And for ski groups with mixed ability skiers and snowboarders, there are great opportunities to rendezvous lunches in the ‘Run of Fame’ circuit.
The last (and it is risky to predict finality) piece of the jigsaw is the long-promised link southward, from the Rendl section of St Anton to the Paznaun ski area of Kappl, just down the valley from Ischgl. Discussed for years and promised to follow on the heels of the St Anton – Zürs, Flexenbahn connection, a lift and piste connection with the Paznaun would create an unimaginably impressive and extensive ski region.