St. Anton - Business Travel Guide - 2022

ST. ANTON

ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

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Known as the cradle of alpine skiing, St. Anton is the mountainous Austrian village transforming into a premium global ski resort Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Dave West

ound within the Arlberg region of the mighty Austrian Alps, St. Anton caters for every possible variety of winter explorer. Whether craving an adrenaline-fuelled, actionpacked week of high-octane winter sports, or a hiking adventure through the stunning mountain range, St. Anton delivers on all fronts for every demographic of tourists.

Evoking visions of far more than just a cosy wintry ambience and the iconic location of the British film, Chalet Girl, St. Anton exists as the spiritual home of skiing, where pioneers such as the Stuben am Arlberg-born Hannes Schneider invented the Arlberg technique at the start of the 20th century. Providing the blueprints of modern alpine skiing, this technique revolutionised the sport, just as St. Anton has revolutionised the full-package ski resort.

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to bars and restaurants in St. Anton. Whether seeking an afternoon of beer drinking or simply a relaxed, wine-fuelled afternoon admiring the scenery, this stylish and welcoming resort has it covered in full.

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ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

S T. A N T O N T O U R I S M A S S O C I AT I O N BOUNCING BACK IN true style after struggling through the treacherous clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin Ebster, Director of the St. Anton Tourism Association, introduces us to the breathtaking alpine resort aiming to become the global ski village.

We take a deep dive into the state of the travel industry, the changing dynamics and challenges of managing a global tourist destination, as well as hear more about the exciting plans for what promises to be a spectacular renaissance and hopeful future for the resort.

Outlook Travel (OT): Firstly, can you tell us about the association’s origins?

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Martin Ebster, Director Martin Ebster, Director (ME): We have been in tourism for 120 years now, starting at the beginning of the 20th century when there was already something resembling a tourism association in St. Anton.

When Hannes Schneider created the first ski school in the world, there was an association put in place that

started managing the visions and plans for tourism there. However, after the Second World War, there was a re-foundation of the St. Anton Tourism Association.

We went through the process of renewing our strategy in the years 2018 and 2019 and our vision and mission are to prepare the best possible conditions for anyone, all around the world who wants to walk, ski, bike, or move athletically in the mountains of the Alps. This is why we call ourselves the cradle of alpine skiing, not because we invented the sport, but because we were the leader in the development of the classical skiing technique.

Now we have gone further, declaring ourselves a region where

brandnamic.com | Fotos: Arpuria, Shutterstock

WHAT IS TRUE LUXURY ? HAVING TIME AND SPACE. BEING FREE. A new hotel jewel is opening in St. Anton am Arlberg. Top quality, understated luxury, and warm service in a stunning natural setting. The Fahrner host family and team can’t wait to welcome you.

36 exquisite rooms & suites | Aria Spa with saunas, pools & more | Heated ski room | Vita Bar | Shuttle service | Mouth-watering local cuisine

Arpuria | Gastigweg 37 | 6580 St. Anton am Arlberg | Tyrol | Austria | +43 5446 22360 | info@arpuria.com | www.arpuria.com

ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

e l p o n a c e m o c t e v i ol t d n y a o j n e . s en hi ta u o m OT: What kind of traveller does St. Anton most cater to?

ME: Nore t aomhw u ye ra o e r u h o w ey m , c o e r f v w i l e b u o d l y h s e b l b a o t e b y t r o p sd n a e vitcna eht giehnopglea fro .tS An.no t e s i l ta W e h r w e v i l n n a e i p l a noeigr uhow yl iwfdensruo y g n i v o p m u d n a w ,o n gd e h i w t s v t u lb n o a i r s u e m iv o e t m o c b e h tl a bg o l rn i v a, f t uo p ms n i h t o r b.e m u s d n r a e t i w g n i k s S ay h n e w lb a h tr e b m u n ey nt oi r pf s u d ny a l wi a . e b e W n r w a o k f g n i e b am u i e r p n o i g e r y f t ol p s e t m o c d n y a o j n e h ts p o l sd n a r o f r u o e d i w e g n a r f o e. s t n r i o w p s Reyl,thngeuocti sadhegn c y l t h g i ln s m r e t f o e h t d e n o t w o n s n o e i t r a sd p n f e o u h c r w t y l i r t a n s ’ wo e d c t n i k e s v s s y a d k e w t u b h g it mn a w o t e k i h d a e t s rn oi . g n o a g b o t e s d y r v Wt a m s w o h ul s t e u o g h y w n j i k e hd n a

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OT: What does the village and resort have to oer in terms of sustainable and eco-friendly travel experiences?

n i, ag t uk oi n mb a t u o m g n i k b n i r un o i g e s ra h n t f o d et l u v c oie d r p o t e h p t s t , n e m p o lr h e t v . s b d m w i l c o H fg on y i ld k e bs t -a h p c m o , n oe ih t da nu i s e w r a w o n a . n o i d t e a h n s k u b g - e di t s s e v l ney t os ir a u ew t W o p o t e bn . t s m a u h i l T e sr ap c , e s y n tv a i l mow u r t q p i h c ,i e w y r t oe a l g n idy s v e t u be n w a y o t h d s r an e e k i d lan e . o s rt f u oe g e t ’ W n oy dr a c u o s e n p u n i e h t , e r i d w a l u o k i l o t e b l a u s cy g d n a s l r i g o h w e y r a p ho t e b l b a e o m t c l r ,e u s o t w u g b e w t n a o t o d s i h t , n i y t r le a n u q -m h g i g n i e r c o n am i e u r h w p x e g n i y h at w s . u Al, os e w ral noityarne vt i .noitanInsed , alercwiptyn e v t u a o h b 0 5 o t sn 5 e o i r t a n d y r e l g v k n i s w r n ai . t S An,no t n yl ognstmaeug b . s e oy l a p m e e tnWa woe ta rc .tS Anno t y t i n u ma h ot c n , e v t i la k e n r d , d n a y r os e lnt h p g o a mt e r y h we t g n , r i m a o e f r c e u r t . l ae bg o l i v

ME:ytil basni t suaS em hta e n o s k y l r at e u o v b w n d e a r ’ w g l n i a k r o n w y l , ta i c es p a r t o t s n d o i a t m sn r f u o e d t t s d u e m r b d ni s o m r c e t f o 2 O C .snoi s me Eveno yrne,io tahni sed , d y n t a i l , p f oc i n y u t m o c , esruohtc . S Anmsiruno t To As,noit saumrcot s knihtuoba y t i e l v b d a n s o i h tr p m s i c u a e h t . x s r ea n y e n O g i h t e w r y a de u o v r p f o s i t a h ey l w at m’ rn o d e n o t y u b t i mc o n r a t f e l h Eunaep.odircgu oW rpnw o y t i e mc l o r b a t n f . i e l w s u e h T l b a c s r o s l a e sy ug mr oe n f r e w. s n o p f i r t a e d h y p o e W e s u t 0n 6e c rf o p e h t y t i , c e r t u w d nol a e r p w n a c l e s g n i h t a m 0 n e 4 cr k a e b p o tnieht Euytinca.erpto le Al, os e w v aghneit-d ha rb s e n r i s h u w b t a e h t i dw o d e c u d t mo n a e r l p f h c t g n i ad e u o r f d u n s o r 0a 5

MADE IN GERMANY

ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

kilometres around St. Anton. All the main buildings are already connected to this heating system, sparing about eight million litres of oil in the last two winters.

OT: Could you pinpoint a couple of the major changes or challenges that have occurred within the tourism industry recently?

ME: Obviously, we had a whole winter without a single guest staying here in St. Anton due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which of course caused a financial challenge for the tourism association.

We are always working on improving our infrastructure, by looking at what we could possibly do to benefit our guests.

As well as the negative effects of COVID-19, we also suffered after Brexit happened, as there have been problems not only for us but all our British tourists, and the British travel

agencies.

The first winter was a disappointing experience because there was not a single guest who could stay with us.

Last winter was better and now we are really working to show guests from all over the world that we are happy to have them here again.

It’s been great to see the whole industry brought together, to collectively help it get back on its feet, and the atmosphere has been fantastic at our resort lately.

OT: Looking ahead, what are the association’s key priorities for the coming year and what do the next 12 months look like for St. Anton?

ME: Firstly, we want to start with a really good, normal winter again. It will not be 100 percent back to how it was in 2019, but it will hopefully be a satisfying experience for the guests who give us the honour of coming here.

In the next 12 months especially, we are looking at improving the quality of everything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a restaurant, hotel or a ski school, they all must improve so that people think it’s worth it, at a time when everything is getting more expensive.

We want people to say it’s worth spending money here because the experience is so good.

We also have many projects that are waiting to be realised across the next decade, with a focus on sporting events. We will host the Alpine Ski World Cup in January for women, and afterwards we will have the Junior World Ski Championships. Finally, at the end of the winter season there is the White Rush, which is the craziest ski race in the world.

The hotel.

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Holidays in St. Anton am Arlberg.

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Relax, recharge your batteries, enjoy and make your way for something special. With us, you are on mountain time! Team Arlen Lodge Hotel‘s focus is on making your stay comfortable, safe and unfortgettable - your home away from home.

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Hotel Arlen Lodge **** Nassereinerstraße 49 6580 St. Anton am Arlberg +43 5446 42566 hotel@arlenlodge.at www.arlenlodge.at

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ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

St. Anton am Arlberg.

March 10, 2022. Skiers relax in chairlifts on their way up the mountain slope on a beautiful, sunny winter’s day.

ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

IN FOCUS

VA L L U G A VIEWPOINT A VASTLY UNDERRATED spot that remains a must-see experience for every variety of tourist can be found at the highest point of St. Anton’s skiing area, 2,811 metres above sea level, on top of the Valluga mountain.

Standing at the summit you can see the mountain panorama of five nations – Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. This is an unbelievably beautiful spot and is just one of many hidden gems where you can get away from all the bustling skiing activity.

It’s a wonderful place where you can be alone and enjoy the winter as it really is, away from the tourism element.

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ST. ANTON TRAVEL GUIDE

GETTING THERE AND AROUND ST. ANTON BOASTS a perfectly situated railway station right in the middle of town, which connects the resort to the whole of Europe with high-speed, regular trains. Tourists can therefore come from Germany, France or Switzerland as well as many other destinations, meaning there are no cars required in St. Anton at all, a positive sustainability factor for this idyllic destination.

Additionally, in St. Anton, you will find a wonderfully efficient and reliable bus system that carries about two million people every winter, without any additional costs for guests. This means you can be at the cable cars in a few minutes from everywhere in the region.

Many tourists choose to fly to Zurich, a route which is especially popular with Americans or visitors from South Africa or Australia.

When arriving in Zurich, there is a train at the airport that arrives in St. Anton in just two hours, again eliminating the need for cars. It is as simple as stepping straight out of the plane and getting onto the train, a system perfect for the inexperienced or first time voyager.

IMAGE BY SIEGELE ROLAND - SIEGELE ROLAND, CC BY- S A 3.0 AT

Old station building in the centre of St. Anton

St. Anton

A U S T R I A

OU UTTLLOOOOKK R DD SS RE ECCO OMMMMEENN

DO:

SLEEP: F O R T H E B E ST P L AC E TO U N W I N D A N D R E C U P E R AT E …

Arlen Lodge offers the perfect retreat to recharge your batteries in true luxury.

Start the day in style with a uniquely Austrian breakfast, fresh from the oven, whilst you gaze out at the breathtaking views of pristine snow-covered mountain slopes and undisturbed forest paths.

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IMAGE © V OELKL.COM

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F O R PASS I O N AT E S K I E N T H U S I ASTS …

Völkl has all of your equipment needs covered to kit you out with the most advanced and intricately crafted skis and accessories.

At the forefront of ski technology since 1923, Völkl stands for unlimited passion for skiing and excels in the creation of high-performance products.

Ready for any challenges the alpine terrain might throw at you, Völkl’s high-tech innovation meets traditional craftsmanship to create the most precise, highest quality, and technologically advanced skis in the world.

An elite team of engineers, experienced craftsmen, tinkerers, and testers, as well as numerous top athletes and uncounted victories, has established Völkl as one of the leading ski brands worldwide.

F O R LUXU R I O U S A N D H O M E LY ACCO M M O DAT I O N …

Hotel Arpuria promises to offer exquisite elegance, and noble uniqueness once it opens its doors on February 4th, 2023.

Found in a dreamy location within the cradle of alpine skiing, guests will be able to enjoy a valet parking service, exquisite rooms and suites, as well as free Wi-Fi on site.

Visitors will find a welcome drink and homemade chocolates upon arrival and can indulge in casual dining at the sublime Pura Restaurant, followed by a wonderful gourmet breakfast with everything your heart desires.

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