A new winter beckons

Last updated on 15.10.2024

Start of the 2024/25 Ski Season in St. Anton am Arlberg

As snow slowly swathes the mountains of St. Anton am Arlberg, its hospitality providers eagerly await the start of the new winter season. The winter season in this Tyrolean mountain village kicks off, in fact, before Stanton Ski Open (6^th to 8^th December 2024): namely on Wednesday 4^th December, when St. Anton’s accommodation providers and the ski lifts in Austria’s largest interconnected ski area start the new season. www.stantonamarlberg.com

New and proven attractions: what guests can look forward to in winter 2024/25

Excitement for the spectacular season-finale starts early in the sports-loving resort of St. Anton am Arlberg: registration for the iconic White Thrill Race (19^th April 2025), which heralds the end of the ski season in the Tyrolean mountain village, opens on 1^st December 2024. The limited starting places are usually snapped up in no time at all. Those keen to clock up as many downhill kilometres as possible, can sign up for the new Race the Arlberg app challenge, which offers the chance to win two one-day ski passes every month. The traditional Tyrolean cuisine served in the mountain huts is just as impressive as the more sophisticated culinary delights offered by one of the highest gourmet restaurants in Europe. ARL ONE (the former Heustadl) right next to the downhill valley run, offers a new and innovative culinary experience. Local ski hero, Mario Matt, double World Champion and Olympic Champion in slalom skiing, will soon be managing it as an exclusive après-ski bar. DJ Ötzi (singer of the famous “Anton aus Tirol“) will be on hand to perform an exclusive concert at the opening on 14^th December. That same weekend, St. Anton will once again become the pickleball capital at the European finals, before hosting the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Women in January 2025, when the international women’s ski elite will compete in the Downhill and Super-G disciplines. And while we’re talking of highlights: train travellers can reach the mountain village comfortably and environmentally friendly via the world’s highest ICE intercity train station and disembark right in the village centre. So, no matter whether you are coming for one of the many events, a short trip or to improve your skiing skills, as a beginner or accomplished skier: another fascinating winter in St. Anton am Arlberg is just about to begin.

Stanton Ski Open – training, tests and tunes

Welcome back to the birthplace of alpine skiing! St. Anton am Arlberg celebrates the first days of the new winter season with Stanton Ski Open from 6^th to 8^th December 2024, featuring concerts on three stages and an array of food trucks. Throughout the opening weekend, guests can test the latest ski and snowboard models from leading manufacturers for free on the slopes of Austria’s largest interconnected ski area. A lecture on avalanche awareness and practical training are on the programme at Arlberg Safety Camp, which is held in cooperation with the Tyrolean Mountain Rescue Services (registration required). Stanton Ski Open 2024 then ends on Sunday evening with “Advent Magic in the Park“ at the museum.

Tip: The successful annual RTL II show will be hosted by the Mooserwirt next to the St. Anton am Arlberg valley run again this year on the 6^th and 7^th December. International stars from the entertainment scene are expected to attend the TV recordings of the “Après Ski Hits” and “Schlagerliebe” TV shows, admission for visitors is free.

Just like in the good old days – Advent Magic in the Park

A festive atmosphere pervades the streets of St. Anton am Arlberg even before the start of the new ski season: the bells will ring out for the first Advent Magic in the Park on 1^st December 2024. The beautifully designed Christmas adventure trail leads through the park of St. Anton Museum, where themed areas invite you to linger and sample local specialities, like the typical “Kiachla” (delicious warm doughnuts topped with jam or sauerkraut). Additional dates: 8^th, 15^th, 21^st and 22^nd December 2024.

Arlberg Pickleball Championship – European Finals

In accordance with the “Road to Arlberg“ motto, the best pickleball players in Europe were able to collect points at tournaments in Rota (Spain), Shropshire (UK), Nyköping (Sweden) and Stuttgart (Germany) over the past few months to qualify for the Arlberg Pickleball Championship European Finals. From 13^th to 15^th December 2024, St. Anton am Arlberg will once again host the largest event of its kind in Austria. Participants will be competing for prize money totalling 20,000 euros, and entry for spectators is free. In addition to the ‘Invitation’ competition with matches between the 40 best European players, there will be an ‘Open Tournament’ for amateurs in various categories at Arlberg WellCom. www.arlberg-pickleball.com

Audi FIS Ski World Cup Women – Arlberg Kandahar Rennen

St. Anton am Arlberg is an integral part of the international World Cup circuit. After junior talents competed on the famous Karl-Schranz racecourse at the Junior World Championships at the beginning of 2023, big names in the world of ski racing are now eagerly anticipating one of the world’s most challenging racecourses. The international women’s ski elite will compete in the two fastest alpine disciplines at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Women on 11^th and 12^th January 2025, when participants battle for precious hundredths of a second, coveted World Cup points and sporting prestige. www.worldcup-stanton.com

Travel with ICE express to the village centre

The ”Ski Express Tirol“ rail service has been operating regularly as an ICE (intercity express) direct from Hamburg via Munich to St. Anton am Arlberg since winter 2022/23 – setting a milestone in mobility for the tourist region. St. Anton am Arlberg (1,303 metres above sea level), is home to the world’s highest ICE station. Visitors to the entire holiday region can easily reach their destinations without a car, as buses shuttle regularly to and from all parts of the village and surrounding regions in the Stanzer Valley. Those staying directly in St. Anton am Arlberg can make the most of the convenient location and access everything on foot anyway. Thanks to the new GreTA (Green Travel Alternatives) tool, guests can coordinate their journey from the first to the last metre with regard to creating the smallest possible CO2 footprint.

About St. Anton am Arlberg. St. Anton am Arlberg is one of the world’s most renowned winter sports resorts. Piste and freeride fans from more than 50 nations visit the mountain village and its ski area every year, which offers a total of more than 300 kilometres of marked downhill runs, 200 kilometres of off-piste variants and 85 lifts and cableways. The Arlberg-Arena extends from St. Anton am Arlberg in Tyrol to Stuben, Lech and Zürs, as well as Warth and Schröcken in Vorarlberg.  Cross-country skiing, winter hiking or a thrilling ride on one of the five winding toboggan runs in the region are just as inherent to the inimitable Arlberg experience as its iconic events, international sporting events and multi-award-winning Tyrolean cuisine. The “birthplace of alpine skiing” is also a founding member of the “Best of the Alps“; a quality association comprising of the 10 most prestigious mountain resorts in the Alps.