The home of mountain summer
Last updated on 23.04.2024
Holidays in St. Anton am Arlberg, Tyrol
In summer, the year-round sport-loving St. Anton am Arlberg is transformed from a white ski Mecca into a colourful mountain village, brimming with exciting opportunities. The colour green plays a key role against this spectacular alpine backdrop – because as an official KLAR! model region, the conscientious local community is working intensively on various sustainability and climate change adaptation projects. And this has a long tradition: eco-friendly electricity was generated as early as 1921 here with the first local hydroelectric power plant, while the municipality has in fact been self-sufficient in terms of energy supply with its self-generated “Arlbergstrom” electricity since 2006. St. Anton am Arlberg has also been home to the world’s highest ICE (inter-city express) railway station at 1,303 metres above sea level since 2023. On receiving the “Best Tourism Village” award in 2023 from the UN World Tourism Organisation, the Tyrolean municipality has once again proved that tourism and sustainability can go hand in hand. In addition to the revised “Mountain Sports Festival” for all abilities, intrepid athletes can look forward to a quirky obstacle course in St. Anton am Arlberg for the first time in summer 2024. www.stantonamarlberg.com
Top events in summer 2024
Mountain Sports Festival from 28th to 30th June
Whether you are an experienced mountaineer or a beginner, interested in new sports or just looking to improve your skills: visitors to the Mountain Sports Festival from 28th to 30th June 2024 in St. Anton am Arlberg will experience the joys of alpine sports in all its multi-faceted diversity. Whether e-biking, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, trail running, road biking, kayaking, paragliding or yoga – local guides will share their valuable knowledge during guided tours and courses so that guests can enjoy their Tyrolean mountain summer safely and optimally prepared. The Expo Area in St. Anton am Arlberg’s village centre is the starting point on all days. Interested guests can test the latest equipment and e-bikes from renowned manufacturers of various outdoor brands to their heart’s content (availability permitting). The weekend is rounded off by a varied programme, including live music, a “Movie Night” and activities for kids.
Montafon Arlberg Marathon on 29th June
Perhaps the most beautiful mountain marathon in the Alps is known for taking its participants to their physical limits, but rewards them time and time and again with fabulous views. Transcending borders and well away from traffic, the trail leads over 42 kilometres of forest and hiking trails (1,500 metres in elevation difference) from the Montafon municipality of Silbertal via Winterjöchle and on to St. Anton am Arlberg. Those who don’t feel up to the marathon distance can still take part: there are two shorter variants as well as a children’s trail.
St. Anton Film Festival from 21st to to 24th August
The alpine outdoor film festival is a firmly anchored fixture in St. Anton am Arlberg. True to the tagline “Mountains, People, Adventure”, extreme athletes, filmmakers and mountain-loving audiences have been getting together in late summer for 28 years now. This major event is made particularly charming by the welcoming atmosphere of the Tyrolean mountain community: where protagonists and directors share their experiences with the audience and comment on their recordings live in relaxed ambience.
NEW: Arlberger Wadlbeisser on 31st August
“Sightseeing the hard way” is the motto of this quirky obstacle course, which will take place for the first time in St. Anton am Arlberg in summer 2024. During the Arlberger Wadlbeisser, participants, fired up by cool DJ tunes, a moderator and spectators, will compete in two impressive distances – over 350 metres in altitude and 15 obstacles along a seven-and-a-half-kilometre route between the mountain and the village. More hardcore runners are invited to attempt the 13.5-kilometre variant, which includes 700 metres in elevation difference and 24 obstacles.
Mountain Yoga Festival from 5th to 8th September
The soothing surroundings of St. Anton am Arlberg lend this yoga festival a retreat character. Many yoga enthusiasts will meet again in late summer for the ninth time to practise together in the midst of beautiful nature. The programme includes a wide variety of styles and ability levels and is therefore also suitable for beginners. Beyond the mat, guided walks, workshops, lectures, soft sounds and healthy cuisine with regional ingredients complete the holistically aligned activities on offer.
Line Dance Festival from 13th to 15th September
A whole weekend dominated by country beats, cowboy hats and boots: for the sixth time now, the Tyrolean community of St. Anton am Arlberg will be transformed into a giant dance floor at the Line Dance Festival. Participants from near and far come together to celebrate what line dancing is all about: pure joie de vivre. The successful world record attempt in 2010 was quickly followed by a veritable “line dance boom” – a new record is to be set in 2024, during which 20 fully choreographed dances must be accomplished in one hour.
Authentic mountain sports in an exhilarating natural setting
Biking, hiking, alpine summit experiences – training included: lower oxygen levels at moderate altitudes are a valuable side-effect of mountain sports, which is why many athletes take advantage of the myriad of opportunities for fitness and endurance training in St. Anton am Arlberg (1,304 metres). Speedy mountain ascents are facilitated by the Arlberg cable cars: they whisk holidaymakers to Mounts Rendl, Gampen, Kapall, Galzig and the 2,811 metre high Valluga. Once at the top, nature enthusiasts will discover a huge variety of hiking tours, food lovers can sample culinary delights at rustic mountain inns, while holidaymakers have ample room to enjoy the perfect mountain summer. The whole variety of tours is clearly presented on the St. Anton am Arlberg interactive map.
Out and about on foot from easy to high alpine tours
The Tyrolean alpine world opens up to holidaymakers for extensive walks in the healing mountain air on a 400-kilometre network of hiking trails in St. Anton am Arlberg. Experienced hikers are able to take advantage of meandering trails that transcend provincial borders, while nature lovers marvel at Mount Rendl, ablaze with flowers and inquisitive hikers can sharpen their senses along Senn’s WunderWanderWeg (WonderHikingTrail). Those who prefer walking in company, can join one of the guided tours offered by the Arlberg-Arena Mountain Hiking School (free once a week in conjunction with the Summer Card and a minimum two-night stay). The expansive Verwall high mountains between the Lechtal Alps and Silvretta are considered a particularly scenic insider’s tip. In two to eight-day tours, mountain sports enthusiasts can surmount up to 3,710 metres in elevation difference on the specially designed Verwall Circuit, while indulging in some top-class hut hopping along the way. From the access point in St. Anton am Arlberg, the route leads via Konstanzer Hut, Darmstädter Hut, Niederelbe Hut, Edmund Graf Hut and Malfon Alm back to the start location. The 44-kilometre round tour takes around 18 hours of pure walking time (level of difficulty: challenging), you can take a break at all the huts and, with the exception of the latter, even stay overnight. The high alpine trails occasionally lead over loose scree, snow and ice between the mountain huts, all of which are situated in breathtaking locations. The Verwall Circuit is illustrated on the interactive map, which includes a detailed route and altitude profile, points of interest and interesting facts about the huts. If you don’t intend to undertake a multi-day hike, you can also explore the mountain huts as part of a day tour. All paths are marked throughout, and steep passages are secured with ropes. The tour is accessible until around late September.
Arlberg Trail – five villages, three stages, one challenge
A tour around the Arlberg Pass: spanning three daily stages, the Arlberg Trail also connects all Arlberg resorts for summer guests. Cable car rides are already included in the total length of 52 kilometres, leaving around 40 kilometres of hiking in a spectacular alpine landscape. One possible route leads from St. Anton am Arlberg to Stuben (15 kilometres, 6.5 hours walking time, 674 metres ascent), from Stuben via Zürs and the Seekopf to Lech (14.6 kilometres, 5 hours walking time, 667 metres ascent) and from there back to St. Anton (12.4 kilometres, 6.5 hours walking time, 1,220 metres ascent). It is also possible to start from the other valley villages. The tour, which is classified as moderately difficult, is ideally started in a clockwise direction, so that the routes and cable car rides coordinate perfectly. The pure walking time of 18 hours is spread over a total of 6,038 metres in elevation difference (9,550 m with the cable car rides). Individual stages and alternative routes are also possible. The tour can be booked together with your own Arlberg Trail ticket, your choice of 3- or 4-star hotels and other additional services such as luggage transport at arlbergtrail.com.
Long distance hiking trails of international repute
Pilgrims encounter many highlights along the famous Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela. The literally highest point to the northwest of Spain is located, however, at the tranquil Maiensee Lake above St. Christoph, a sub-district of St. Anton am Arlberg. The “Eagle Walk”, Tyrol’s most spectacular long distance hiking route, also begins (or ends) here. This 300-kilometre-long hike (over 24 stages) leads hikers past mighty peaks, refuge huts, mountain lakes and flower-filled meadows, through the Karwendel and Rofan mountains to St. Johann am Wilden Kaiser.
Popular biking area for every level of ability
St. Anton am Arlberg is also a popular area for bikers of every genre. An extensive, newly signposted network of routes for e-bikes and mountain bikes (220 kilometres in total) invite you to experience the region at your leisure. For racing cyclists, for example, challenging routes stretch away to the east and west through some of the most beautiful high valleys in the Alps, such as the sporty tour to the Kaunertal Glacier, the charming Silvretta High Alpine Road or the three-pass ride to the Bregenzerwald and Lake Constance. A challenging 20-kilometre route leads (E-)MTB fans to the Heilbronner Hut in Verwall. The route leads over asphalt and gravel paths as well as a steep trail (total of 1,600 metres in elevation difference) and can be combined with tours to Paznaun or Montafon. The scenic Stanzertal cycle path between St. Anton am Arlberg and Schnann is asphalted from start to finish, making it particularly suitable for families with small children. For several years now, vacationers in St. Anton am Arlberg and the Stanzertal Valley have had five rapid-charging stations with space for four e-bikes each at their disposal, where empty batteries can be “refuelled” to up to 80 percent charge within just 20 minutes.
(E-)Bike & Hike
Combined tours of cycling and hiking are becoming increasingly popular. The St. Anton am Arlberg region offers variants for beginners as well as experienced alpinists. The excursion to the Sattelkopf (1,985 metres), St. Anton’s local mountain, is considered to be moderately challenging (739 metres of altitude difference in total – bike 409 metres /hike 330 metres, length: 17 kilometres). The combination of “Bike & Summit” promises additional summit bliss: more experienced mountain sports enthusiasts can, for example, climb the Zwölferkopf (2,556 metres), which requires considerably more fitness and sure-footedness, but rewards their efforts with a unique summit feeling (1076 metres of altitude difference in total – bike 576 metres/hike 500 metres, length: 23.4 kilometres).
Climbing at all levels of difficulty
With its steep and rocky faces, Arlberg presents a whole range of free-climbing opportunities. The ”Klettergarten“ (rock climbing area) at Schanner Gorge is a particularly popular destination, with 40 different routes (in grades of difficulty ranging from 3 to 9). Bouldering enthusiasts can scramble over boulders up to eight metres high along the ruggedly romantic rocky walls of the gorge. Experienced alpinists appreciate the region for its many high alpine multi-pitch routes. The Arlberg via Ferrate, for example, is considered by those in the know to be not only one of the most challenging in the Alps, but also most of the most beautiful. The almost two kilometre long route leads high above St. Anton on a long ridge to the Weißschrofenspitze Peak. Arl.rock sports and climbing centre in St. Anton am Arlberg attracts visitors in all weathers with its almost 1,000 square metres of climbing space. Of around 100 challenging climbing routes, 30 are located in the outdoor area where two climbing routes lead up the 18-metre-high outdoor tower. Easy to more challenging bouldering variants are ready and waiting inside. Summiteers enjoy a well secured gneiss climbing area around the Darmstädter Hut and Kuchenspitze Peak (3,148 metres above sea level), with seven climbing areas and 58 routes.
Family holidays in St. Anton am Arlberg
Parents know: holidays are only relaxing when summer fun is also guaranteed for the little ones. In addition to the already adventurous natural landscape, an exciting holiday programme awaits in the St. Anton am Arlberg region. Every Monday to Friday from 10 to 16 hrs, children aged 4 to 16 years can discover nature during little forays with professional supervisors and the resort’s entertaining mascot, “Hoppl the Hare. “Participation in the programme is free with the St. Anton Summer Card and includes varying activities such as building dams, building rafts or observing animals. Speaking of which: visitors to Möslihof farm in the St. Jakob district can relax with llamas and alpacas, while acquainting themselves with the surrounding nature and calm characters of these gentle animals. Families are also highly recommended to visit the pram friendly Verwalltal Valley, not far from the village centre, where a new landscaped pond was created in summer 2022. The flat cycling or hiking route leads past natural playgrounds, interactive stations on local myths and legends, as well as the emerald green Lake Verwallsee, whose magnificence is truly captivating. Tip: so-called “Kraxen”, i.e. carriers for putting younger children on one’s back, can be rented in St. Anton’s sports shops.
Shared hiking experiences
The “Mutspuren – Feel the Courage” Panorama Trail on Galzig at 2,100 metres above sea level is easily accessible via cable car, where families can learn about the Arlberg region’s fascinating history at the lovingly designed “Erlebniswelt – Adventure World”. A circular trail in Schann entitled “Faith and History” is dedicated to various themes such as the Swabian Children, alpine farming, the ”Golden City“ and also includes a treasure hunt. Senn´s WonderWalkingTrail around the Senn Hut above St, Anton am Arlberg is yet another popular day trip destination for families. The adventure trail extends to Lake Maiensee in St. Christoph and connects adventure stations in the herb garden, on the tree house, along the “Kuh’len Weg” trail or in the WunderWald Forest. QR codes are also positioned along the trail, which can be decoded using a smart phone. The various stages were awarded the golden innovation prize for ”Ideas and Nature“ and ”Best Offer for Children”. Trained herbalist and Sennhütte hostess, Tanja Senn, also organises weekly guided tours and personally exhibits her small floral “Sennsation”: since 2017, the Sennhütte has been the official record holder for the world’s largest floral arrangement with well in excess of 100,000 edelweiss flowers – and that in the form of a single giant edelweiss. Visitors can find out more about this powerful alpine symbol at the Edelweiss-Stadl and adjacent nature trail, which is part of the WonderWalkingTrail.
Interactive quiz tour through the village
The Detective Trail through the Tyrolean mountain village is a innovative way to get better acquainted with St. Anton am Arlberg. Families learn a lot about the Stanzertal villages and their history in the form of an interactive scavenger hunt. The creative quiz tour begins and ends at the tourist information office and includes 14 stops: among them the Galzigbahn cable car with its visionary “Ferris wheel”, the old railway station and Arlen Castle, where a ground-breaking encounter took place in the 14th century that has shaped the region to this day. Route descriptions and pictures guide the “detectives” from puzzle to puzzle, to be solved with the help of on-the-spot clues. Distance and duration: approx. 5 km in 3 hours. A mystery trail with more tricky tasks is also available for somewhat older detective enthusiasts (young people and adults).
Places, tips and activities
The Versatile Verwall Valley
A particularly attractive route for hiking, running and cycling leads through the Verwalltal recreation area not far from St. Anton’s village centre. Passing alpine meadows, forests, mountain streams and the emerald green Lake Verwallsee, the route is flat and easy to negotiate, even when using a pram. Those seeking peace and quiet, should find a spot next to the new landscaped pond by the lake and enjoy the panorama. On the other side of the lake, you will find a playground with a fire pit and another grill and picnic area near the Wagner Hut, an inviting meeting point for locals and visitors. Interactive nature stations allow visitors to playfully immerse themselves in the myths and legends of the St. Anton am Arlberg region. The 35 metre long steel cable suspension bridge at the waterfall has also provided many an adrenalin rush, while bike enthusiasts can look forward to sampling the delights of the Pump Track, Northshore Trail and Co. at the “EldoRADo“ Bike Areal. Alternately, you can take the latest KTM E-motocross bikes for a few laps of the specially built cross track. “EldoRADo” also features easy curves and obstacles for younger riders and is even suitable for balance bikes.
Myriad of possibilities – in and outdoor adrenalin kicks
Ski slopes in winter, alpine terrain for golfers in summer: St. Anton’s 9-hole course in the district of Nasserein at 1,340 metres (with 100 metres in elevation difference) is steeper and hillier in places than others – so it’s made for golfers who like a challenge. Wild torrents, gorges and ravines: in the midst of the high alpine landscapes surrounding the holiday region of St. Anton am Arlberg, professional outdoor experts such as H2O Adventure or Kayak School Arlberg help visitors quench their thirst for adventure – be it rafting, kayaking, canyoning tours on the Rosanna River, or paragliding, climbing or on adventure hikes at lofty hikes. Furthermore, holidaymakers can put their detective skills to the test in the excitingly staged and only escape room in the St. Anton am Arlberg holiday region.
Culinary highlights
“Kaiserschmarrn” pancake or bouillabaisse, gourmet cuisine or Tyrolean classics – with over 90 dining establishments, the range of eateries in St. Anton am Arlberg is as diverse as the choice of mountain sports on offer. Renowned restaurant guides regularly bestow honours on regional establishments, ranging from fine dining to informal fare. If you fancy immersing yourself in the art of haute cuisine while on holiday, you should try one of the eight top addresses awarded a total of 21 toques by “Gault&Millau 2024”. The selection of mountain huts the guide has recently included in its ranking also makes for exciting reading. These include the Ulmer and Darmstädter huts, the Sennhütte and Alpe Rossfall.
arl.flow – yoga all year round
It is not only the international Mountain Yoga Festival in late summer that attracts the yoga scene to the Arlberg. arl.flow in the Karl Schranz stadium now also has its own yoga room which local yoga enthusiasts and holidaymakers can use all year round. In addition to courses for beginners and advanced students in various styles, the programme also includes children’s yoga, meditation and relaxation sessions. The stadium’s roof terrace can also used in good weather.
arl.park – indoor sports centre in St. Anton am Arlberg
Tennis, squash, bowling, pickleball, climbing, bouldering: active holidaymakers can let off steam all year round at the ultra-modern arl.park sport and climbing centre in St. Anton am Arlberg. Highlights include the many climbing possibilities in varying levels of difficulty, including 80 square metres of bouldering facilities and 70 climbing routes. The adjoining trampoline hall expands the offer to a total of 1,000 square metres, including 14 trampolines, airtrack floor mats and a bagjump airbag with a freefall tower.
Gand Mining – history brought to life
Deep within the mountain on the trail of Tyrolean ore mining history – whilst being at the centre of the region’s history: The former mining area of Gand in St. Jakob, a sub-district of St. Anton am Arlberg, is accessible to visitors via a circular hiking trail. This joint project between the municipality and Tourist Board connects two tunnels and three show huts along a route of 750 metres.
Swimming, sauna and co. – relax with views of the peaks
Peace-seeking winter holidaymakers can relax tired muscles and regenerate in the soothing waters of Wellnesspark Arlberg Stanzertal in Pettneu, or at Arlberg WellCom, Centre for Wellness and Communications in St. Anton am Arlberg. The latter regularly serves as a venue for sporting and international events. Additionally, numerous hotels in the Tyrolean holiday region offer wellness and therapeutic treatments for their guests.
From small reception to grand occasions – St. Anton am Arlberg event location
Your own congress, meeting or corporate event in St. Anton am Arlberg? All that and more is possible. State of the art convention facilities also belong to the lively culture of this cosmopolitan mountain village, which can be combined with a variety of outdoor experiences. Arlberg WellCom sets the benchmark here with its spacious leisure and wellness landscape, the World Cup Hall and neighbouring Karl Schranz Finish Stadium. Other venues include the St. Anton am Arlberg Museum with its idyllic park and the Arlbergsaal with its quintessential Tyrolean charm.
St. Anton Summer Card – the dynamic holiday ticket
From just one overnight stay, holidaymakers receive the St. Anton Summer Card free of charge from their accommodation provider during the period from 14th June to 6th October 2024. The ticket, valid until the day of departure, includes various free admissions (Tyrolean Evening, Gand Mine and Museum), participation in the torchlit hike, guided tours according to the weekly programme and free use of all buses between Landeck and St. Christoph. A two-night stay also includes guided hikes, archery, a yoga session, a green fee for the 9-hole golf course in the Nasserein district (handicap certificate required) and participation in the children’s programme. For stays of three nights or more, there is also free entry to one of the Arlberg WellCom or Wellnesspark Arlberg Stanzertal swimming pools as well as unlimited use of all mountain lifts for one day, while selected sports shops offer cardholders a €20 discount on the (half-)day rental of an e-bike. The swimming pools in St. Anton am Arlberg and Pettneu can be visited a second time free of charge from five nights onwards, and holidaymakers who stay 8 nights or more can use the services all over again. For a fee, the summer card can be upgraded to a Premium Card with numerous additional offers for 3, 5 or 7 days.
Proactive environmental protection and self-generated electricity
Born of tradition and conviction
St. Anton am Arlberg’s commitment to environmental protection includes various ecological measures and projects, ranging from alternative energy generation and waste disposal to nature-friendly piste maintenance. Eco-friendly electricity was generated as early as 1921 with the first local hydroelectric power plant, and St. Anton am Arlberg has been entirely independent in terms of energy supply since 2006. Thanks to the newly built local heating network with an annual heat output of 16.5 GWh, to which more than 80 company buildings are already connected, it is possible to save 1.8 million litres of heating oil and therefore 4,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. As an officially designated Climate Change Adaptation Model Region, the environmentally conscious population of St. Anton am Arlberg is working intensively on various sustainability and climate protection projects and is currently in the second phase of the nationwide programme. Current measures include renaturation of the Egger Weiher in Strengen and Hirschenbad pond below the Nessleralm, the establishment of a KLAR! regulars’ table for the exchange of ideas among local residents, as well as numerous other educational and information events. As a key technology in the transport revolution, St. Anton am Arlberg is also actively involved in the transition to electromobility as part of the “So fährt TIROL 2050” project. By receiving the “Best Tourism Village” award in 2023 from the UN World Tourism Organisation, the Tyrolean municipality has once again proved that tourism and commitment to sustainability can go hand in hand.
Arlberg hydropower makes St. Anton self-sufficient
The independent power supply in St. Anton am Arlberg is a unique project. In 2005, the Kartell power plant was expanded and put into operation. The lake of the same name holds around eight million cubic metres of water and delivers around 33 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The entire storage volume of the Kartell Lake is then utilised again by the existing Rosanna power plant, making St. Anton am Arlberg self-sufficient in power supply since 2006. Moreover, the municipality operates a wood chip fired biomass heating plant, which is designed to supply up to 80 residential units. The plant is also connected to a solar power and water heating system.
Milestone in mobility – take an ICE train direct to the village centre
St. Anton am Arlberg is recognised throughout Europe as an attractive rail destination. The local tourism association use the local railway station ticket office as an additional Service Centre. The Tyrolean municipality celebrated a milestone in winter 2022/23, when an ICE (intercity express) train travelled directly from Hamburg via Munich to St. Anton am Arlberg for the first time. Martin Ebster, director of tourism, explains: “When St. Anton’s former visionaries built the Arlberg railway line and our station, they were certainly not aware of the far-reaching implications they would have. 140 years later, both are more important than ever in terms of sustainability. Which is why we are delighted to be able to take another step towards climate-neutral travel with the new direct ICE connection from Hamburg”. With the arrival of the first ICE 1201 train, St. Anton am Arlberg (at 1,303 metres above sea level), is now officially home to the world’s highest ICE station. 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.
Summer 2024 calendar of events at a glance:
14.06. Start of the Summer Season
28.-30.06. Mountain Sports Festival
29.06. Montafon Arlberg Marathon (Mountain Run)
14.07. Hour of reflection for car drivers outside Arlberg WellCom
19.-21.07. Village Festival at St. Anton am Arlberg
27.-28.07. Parish Fair in St. Jakob
09.-11.08. Arlberg Riflemen Marquee Festival in St. Anton am Arlberg
14.-15.08. Parish Fair in Pettneu
15.08. 12th Arlberg Herb Festival at the Sennhütte
21.-24.08. 28th Film Festival ”Mountains, People, Adventure“
23.-25.08. Parish Fair in Flirsch
31.08. Arlberger Wadlbeisser
01.09. Parish Fair in Schnann
05.-08.09. 9th Mountain Yoga Festival St. Anton
3.-15.09. Line Dance Festival
14.09. Almabtrieb (Cattle Drive) and Farmers’ Festival
Further information is available from the Information Office in St. Anton am Arlberg/Austria
under +43 5446 2269-0 or www.stantonamarlberg.com