St Anton

We are trying to see more of Europe this year and we have the opportunity to go to St Anton with a big group.

I'm told the nightlife etc... is great but what about the skiing?

Where is the uncrowded, challenging and interesting terrain?
Is the snow reliable - where is the powder?
Is there any avalanche controled backcountry-like terrain? (Terrain with an out of bounds / off piste feel, but avalanche controlled. Like Granite Chief/Silverado areas in Squaw, Back Bowls in Vail or Feuze Bowl in Kicking Horse)

We will be staying in Nasserein.

Also, on the ski map it shows ski runs easy, medium and difficult, and "Ski Routes" normal and 'Extreme'. What is a ski route, is this X-country?

Tony_H can give you some up to date data on St Anton, it's years since I was there. As for the ski routes, some were pistes, and simply got turned into ski routes, which means no piste prep and basic patrolling and avalanche control. Don't turn up on x-c skis!
There is plenty of off piste challenge for a good skier. Powder will depend on the snow conditions at the time of your visit. The snow is reliable up high, though off piste you will have to ski what you find, which may be hardpack or breakable crust. For some areas of offpiste, you will need a local guide in order to gain access (but check up to date restrictions)

Thanks for the info Bandit! Following your description, the ski routes 'Extreme' sounds more interesting now.

Just realized, why did I end up posting this in the Canada thread :oops:

I didn't know Super Bowl was controlled, I really want to head back to 'the Horse'!

Re: Super Bowl - your right. It is not controled. Wouldn't want to mislead anybody. (Original post modified)

steverandomno wrote:Re: Super Bowl - your right. It is not controled. Wouldn't want to mislead anybody. (Original post modified)

I didn't know either way but thanks for the clarification.

(Admin-feel free to trim this thread of all my KH related posts and allow it to get back on topic :shock:)

steverandomno wrote:We are trying to see more of Europe this year and we have the opportunity to go to St Anton with a big group.

I'm told the nightlife etc... is great but what about the skiing?

Where is the uncrowded, challenging and interesting terrain?
Is the snow reliable - where is the powder?
Is there any avalanche controled backcountry-like terrain? (Terrain with an out of bounds / off piste feel, but avalanche controlled. Like Granite Chief/Silverado areas in Squaw, Back Bowls in Vail or Feuze Bowl in Kicking Horse)

We will be staying in Nasserein.

Also, on the ski map it shows ski runs easy, medium and difficult, and "Ski Routes" normal and 'Extreme'. What is a ski route, is this X-country?

Bandit has given a pretty decent short resumee to be fair.
St Anton has a very good snow record. I was there early January and the snow was outstanding, although the week was mainly sunny and there was only 1 day of fresh snow, but it was seriously good enough to be able to ski off piste and find some fresh snow. The better powder is reportedly over the back at Lech and Zurs, might be worth a couple of trips over there?
Nasserein is the bottom end of the village, but it has a Gondola that takes you right up to the Gampen area, a good place to start in the mornings as it gets the early sun. Kappel mountain has some lovely pistes running off it.
I was in Oberdorf, right up the other end, our nearest lift was the Rendlbahn, and because its a little out of the way, many skiers dont use this smaller area, but I personally enjoyed it as much as any part of St Anton, and its definitely worth going up there for a day at least.
The best places to get to for more extreme skiing are up the top of the Galzig and then on to Schindler and Valuga, where you will find ski routes and off piste, and plenty of it too. The valley down to Alpe Rauz has endless opportunities, and there is a brilliant ski route (no 18) that runs high up the side of the valley under the 6 man chair. These ski routes are signposted but not pisted.
St Anton is as good a ski area as I have been to, and I am keen to return again.