Like every other resort- well in fact like the whole sport of skiing, the St. Anton Austria ski area is adapting and evolving. It moves and improves with the times. Although this evolution is both unstoppable and good for the resort, the industry and holidaymakers, there will be some who will swear the resort is "not what it used to be".

You see, this area of The Arlberg has long been thought of as the "serious skiers" resort, and almost since time began (as far as skiers were concerned) it attracted those who awoke at the crack of dawn in search of the "steep and the deep". Hard ski, hard party was and still is the name of the game. And these loyal and welcomed skiers were largely responsible for both St. Anton's formidable reputation as a ski resort, as well as the development of one of the most awesome après ski line-ups in the Alps. Great: more power to them.

However, many lost sight of the fact that, in order to survive and prosper, any great resort has got to attract a wider base of skier, and must market to the beginner, the families well as the ever-aging ski population. And let's face it. This section of the Arlberg has always had the facilities to attract and please all comers, it was just that its "bad boy of the Alps" reputation preceded it. This marketing is paying off and more recreational and holiday skiers, including families and beginners are enjoying all St. Anton has to offer.

However some things never change. The Austrian Arlberg resort of St. Anton still draws and still delights in the attentions of the serious skier. In late November the annual migration to the powder Mecca begins, and there is no let up until after Easter.

 An early local pioneer, Hannes Schneider, developed ski instruction methods that are not all that different than those we know today, and as the progress of St. Anton went over the years, so too did the progress in the sport world-wide. St. Anton is a leader in the skiing business.

Much of St. Anton's following is, as we have pointed out, largely made up of younger "serious" skiers who dearly love the challenge presented by the resort. For the skiing here can be very stiff indeed. Names like the Valluga, the Tanzboden and the Kapall will be familiar with "clued in" skiers. And the opportunity for "off piste" or powder skiing here is legendary.

A look at some of the wild places showing fresh ski tracks will bear this out. But no resort can live by challenge alone. A good resort must provide ski terrain for all standards of skiers. A good resort must provide easy access at different levels so beginners can be assured of decent snow to make their mistakes on. A good resort must feature well groomed intermediate grade slopes, so not-so-proficient skiers can feel and look a bit more proficient, confident, stylish even. This St. Anton provides; St Anton is a good resort.

Then you have the bonus of the other resorts in the immediate vicinity on the same lift pass. St. Christoph is one such entry just a little ways up on the Arlberg pass.

This much smaller and much quieter resort, has immediate access into the mainstream of skiing in the area, and allows those looking for the opportunity to get away from it all, in style. The little resort of Stuben offers that elusive special Austrian resort atmosphere that is coveted by so many winter holiday makers. It too has a lift system that is immediately connected into the St. Anton network.

Skiers based in Stuben can enjoy skiing almost directly above the resort via the Albona lift system, and also use it as an entry point into the main skiing areas. If that's not enough to satisfy you top it all off with Lech and Zürs on the same lift pass (but not interconnected by ski lifts) and you have got a major league ski area for major and minor league skiers.

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