Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Review of St Anton

10th March 2008 by boabski 

Returned to St Anton for 4th time in 6 years (notwithstanding a couple of trips to Oberelech the last 2 years), so it’s fair to say that I love the place. Just back from a week (1st week in March) and before we went the last snow had been on 7th February and had been really mild for around a week just before we went, so we were not expecting that great conditions.
Although the conditions lower down were pretty ropey (as I’m sure most European resorts would have been) for the first day or two, thankfully lower temperatures and a big dump of snow saved the day. Conditions up top though were fine all week.
The new gondola has made a difference and we only really had to queue for around 10 mins for the first ride up the day after a huge dump of snow. So can’t really complain about the queues as this was the only ‘major’ queue we had all week. In fairness we hardly had to queue all week, and considering the fact that the resort was full, I was pretty impressed by this. In addition all the lift staff were very polite and helpful, and in most instances managed a ‘gruss Got or Morgen’ to you - take note French lifties! You also note that some of the chairs are getting on a bit especially when compared to the luxury chairs of Lech.
The skiing as usual has its ups and downs, the major up being the long red and blue to Stuben, the downs being that some of the pistes at certain times get very busy - the main offender being the Shliesstal which takes you back down to St Anton, via ‘Happy Valley’ - Mooserwirt etc. This is unfortunate as it is a fantastic run when quieter. So it’s best to try this run pre 2pm. They really do need to get a second run somehow, as timid skiers could be put off skiing for life on this run if they ski late afternoon. Overall though, the skiing is fantastic, especially for those looking to go off piste. St Anton attracts very good skiers, so would best avoid for 1st/2nd timers - Lech would be a better base, if more expensive.
It is also fairly well known for undergrading some runs. I have also found that most of the black runs we skied were no more difficult that some of the blues/reds in places.
I did B&B this time round, staying at Hotel Sailer which is undoubtedly one of the best locations. Although reasonably cheap, considering its location, at 95EUR per night in high season, I would not return to this hotel. Clean and comfortable but the cafe/restaurant on ground floor seems to be the place where a lot of the instructors meet before and after a day’s skiing. As a result the waiters were more interested in having a cigarette with them than offering you tea and coffee etc. Some of the lads we were away with stayed next door and the place looked amazing. Only completed in Dec 2007, so really modern. Even got mobile phones as keys, which they could also use to phone each other, book restaurants/taxis, and check conditions. I am going to be really selfish and not tell you the name though - you’ll need to do some digging for yourselves on that one - sorry!
Food in town was pretty good. Pomodora and Funky Chicken both jumping and good food at reasonable prices. Avoid the Chinese - really overpriced and not too tasty. Try to get to the Berghaus Stuben in Stuben - fab setting and equally as good food. Great pizza and Rosti - in fact everything we have had there over the years has been excellent.
There does however seem a lack of restaurants on the mountain, and this also applies to Lech (unless you take Oberlech out of the equation). What eateries there are though are usually very good though and pretty reasonable.
Transfer from Innsbruck only takes an hour now by taxi, thanks to a new tunnel, which avoids you having to go through Landeck.
The apres ski is still amazing. Mooserwirt is still great and a must to visit whilst there. Griabli across from Mooserwirt used to be amazing, thanks to English band the CCJ’s; however they are currently having a break. We did however bump into one of them - Chris - and said that they will be coming back, so fingers crossed. You should also make sure you go to Picadilly from around 5pm onwards to see Gunnar - a German dude - place packed and very talented singer/guitarist. The place rocked until 7.30, so take Strepsils with you to get your voice back after all the singing you’ll be doing.
Will I come back again to St Anton? - you bet!

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