Après-ski and St. Anton am Arlberg are inextricably linked in winter. After all, this historic ski resort – known as the cradle of alpine skiing – not only boasts Austria’s largest ski area, but is also home to some of the most famous party venues in the Alps. And so, in St. Anton, the celebrations begin as soon as the last run of the day has been completed. Whether in rustic mountain huts or in the lively bars down in the valley, the atmosphere is simply infectious. SnowTrex now reveals what else makes après-ski on the Arlberg so special, which venues winter sports enthusiasts should not miss under any circumstances, and what tips they should bear in mind.
Après-ski in St. Anton – pure party fun in the party stronghold
St. Anton has built up its reputation as an après-ski paradise in the Alps over decades. Even before the first lifts close for the day in the afternoons on the Arlberg in winter, the first huts and bars on the slopes start filling up with cheerful skiers from 3 pm onwards. The atmosphere is relaxed and exuberant, with people dancing on the tables and the scent of mulled wine and Flying Hirsch in the air. Today’s party culture is a tradition in St. Anton. Some of the bars in the ski resort have been around since the 1970s. They have played a key role in shaping the après-ski scene in the Alps. That’s why the rule here today is: a day’s skiing in St. Anton isn’t complete without a party afterwards. Many skiers from Austria’s neighbouring countries, or even from overseas, know this too. So it’s no wonder that this international mix of guests ensures that pure joie de vivre is celebrated in the snow against the impressive backdrop of the Alps – perfect for an après-ski holiday!
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Packed huts – the best après-ski spots in St. Anton
In Austria’s largest ski resort, the party naturally gets going in the afternoons too during winter. SnowTrex knows exactly where winter sports enthusiasts in the Ski Arlberg resort (300 km of slopes) can stop for a bite to eat right by the slopes during the ski season:
MooserWirt
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When it comes to après-ski, the MooserWirt is simply legendary. The bar in the ski resort has been around since 1989, so it’s almost certain that more beer has been served per square metre here than anywhere else in Austria. And so, every day during the ski season from 3 pm, the MooserWirt turns into a hive of activity. And whilst party classics like “The Final Countdown” by Europe blare from the speakers, the large sun terrace is also packed to the rafters by 4 pm. It is precisely for this reason, but also because of the hearty Tyrolean cuisine at lunchtime, that a visit to the MooserWirt is a must for every visitor to St. Anton.
Krazy Kanguruh
A full 15 years before the MooserWirt opened, another legendary après-ski bar in the Arlberg region opened its doors in 1974: the “Krazy Kanguruh”. To this day, the “KK” in St. Anton is not only an institution but also a guarantee of wild parties. Located slightly higher up at the start of piste 21, ski life is celebrated here every day in winter from 3 pm on the sun terrace to the beat of the music and with a beer – and this continues until after dark! Incidentally, the bar has been run since 2009 by former Olympic ski champion and St. Anton native Mario Matt. Legendary at the Kanguruh are the themed parties celebrating Australia Day on 26 January, honouring Australia’s national animal, and the St Patrick’s Day celebrations on 17 March.
Alpine hut
The “Sennhütte” is a rustic alpine hut that scores highly with its charm and large panoramic sun terrace. This après-ski spot is situated on blue run no. 50, the descent from the Zammermoosbahn. However, it is so tucked away that only the hut’s roof is visible from the piste, so winter sports enthusiasts must take the descent slowly to avoid missing the turn-off. At the Sennhütte, the atmosphere is already excellent from midday onwards in winter, when Tyrolean hospitality is celebrated to the sound of popular hits. So if you’re in St. Anton looking for an authentic après-ski hut, the “Senn” is just the place for you. But be warned: as befits a hut in a ski resort, it’s only open until around 6 pm during the ski season!
Arl One
The venue for the new generation of après-ski in the Arlberg is the “Arl One”. It recently opened as the direct successor to the old “Heustadl” and offers non-stop partying every day from 3.30 pm during the ski season, with live DJs and other live acts. At the same time, Arl One also houses two restaurants where top chef Gustav Jantscher serves specialities from his gourmet kitchen, accompanied by a selection of over 100 top wines. The venues are situated directly on piste 50 between Sennhütte and MooserWirt, just 200 metres from the Moos car park. This means guests can even walk there.
Griabli
Just below the Krazy Kanguruh, opposite the MooserWirt, après-ski fans will find the “Griabli”. A cosy ski hut that has carved out its own niche, namely that of live music. In winter, bands play rock, soul and blues there almost every day. No wonder, then, that the atmosphere here is lively, yet somewhat more laid-back than at its party-focused neighbours. This makes the Griabli perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy après-ski with good music and a little less hustle and bustle. During the ski season, the bar is usually open from the afternoon, from around 3.30 pm, until the evening. This makes it possible to experience classic après-ski here as well as to wind down the day’s skiing in peace.
Bars and pubs – the best après-ski spots in St. Anton
If you still have energy after the lifts close, simply move the party to the après-ski scene in the centre of St. Anton. Because the village itself is home to numerous bars, pubs and even clubs where the party goes on until the early hours:
Basecamp
Located right next to the valley station, “Basecamp” – with its umbrella bar – provides the perfect transition from the thrill of the slopes to the nightlife. This is where skiers and snowboarders in St. Anton meet after their final run to enjoy a freshly tapped beer or a mulled wine accompanied by great music. The view of the bustling pedestrian zone and the last skiers on the slopes immediately invites you to soak up the après-ski atmosphere in the valley after a long day on the slopes.
Anton Bar
The trendy “Anton Bar”, for its part, is situated within sight of the Galzigbahn valley station, where it scores points with a mix of lounge and après-ski. Furnished in a modern Alpine-chic style, it features great music, a wide selection of drinks and even big screens for public viewing of various sporting events. Hungry skiers who fancy a snack to go with a cool drink after a long day on the slopes will find something to satisfy their hunger right next door at the “Anton Café”. This makes the Anton Bar the perfect place to reflect on the day’s skiing in a relaxed setting.
Piccadilly and Postkeller
The “Piccadilly” is a classic, British-style pub-bar in the basement of the Hotel Post, known for its daily live music in winter. During the ski season, cult guitarist Andy plays there every afternoon from 4 pm, getting the party started. So the rule there is: the early bird catches the best spot. Later in the evening, from around 9 pm, the bar fills up again as the venue switches to après-ski party mode. And the best part is: right opposite the Piccadilly is the “Postkeller”, a nightclub where night owls among the winter sports enthusiasts can dance the night away until the early hours. For decades, these two venues have formed the heart of the nightlife scene in St. Anton.
Bar Cuba
When it comes to après-ski, the small but lively “Bar Cuba” in the centre of St. Anton is particularly popular with English-speaking guests and seasonal workers. The bar combines a sports bar atmosphere – as major sporting events are often broadcast live here – with a party vibe. Alongside the music, a pool table and table football provide entertainment, whilst guests can order cold drinks from the cocktail menu to their heart’s content.
Murrmel and Horny B
The “Murrmel” blends a cosy bar atmosphere with cool club vibes. On the ground floor, live music is played – sometimes by talented local bands on a small stage – whilst excellent burgers are grilled in the kitchen. Down in the cellar, however, a DJ spins records during the peak après-ski season, getting the winter sports enthusiasts fired up on the dance floor. And much like Piccadilly, the Murrmel also has a legendary club right next door: the “Horny B Club”. In fact, the two venues even share their premises when the party goes on late into the night at the latter.
Pub 37
As the name suggests, what is probably the smallest pub in St. Anton can accommodate a maximum of 37 people. Partly due to its size, the rustic “Pub 37” is a real insider tip for anyone who wants to enjoy a good beer, such as a draught Guinness, or a whisky in a cosy setting and experience après-ski with a difference. Another advantage of the limited space in the pub is that winter sports enthusiasts quickly strike up conversations with other guests here, making the atmosphere even more authentic and warm. So here you can experience pub culture at its finest, whilst a long day’s skiing winds down in peace.
SnowTrex tip: In St. Anton, it is customary not to walk through the town in ski boots after 8 pm. This not only makes for a more comfortable long night out – best enjoyed in street shoes – but is also quieter for the locals.
Events and trends – more than just après-ski every day in St. Anton
In St. Anton, it’s not just après-ski that’s celebrated daily during the ski season. After all, special events and festivities take place here throughout the winter. Right at the start, the ski season is heralded by the traditional “Stanton Ski Open”, usually in early December (weather permitting), with opening parties, concerts and a “Schlager Open Air” at the MooserWirt. After that, in January and February, the spectacular “Schneetreiben” ski show takes place weekly right in the ski resort, where local ski instructors ski down the slopes every Wednesday evening in the dark to music, light effects and fireworks.
Another event highlight in April is the “Tanzcafé Arlberg Music Festival”, during which the ski resort is transformed into a huge musical stage for two weeks with live music ranging from jazz to swing. A perfect event for spending the day skiing in the spring sunshine and then hitting the dance floor afterwards. For the season finale, however, things get sporty again in St. Anton. Namely with the “Weißen Rausch”, the legendary ski race for everyone. Here, 500 daring skiers and snowboarders hurtle down the Valluga ridge towards the valley at the same time. After the spectacular race, there’s another lively round of après-ski in the village before St. Anton bids farewell to the ski season.
Alternatives to the après-ski parties in St. Anton
As legendary as the après-ski and nightlife in St. Anton are, there are also a few alternatives on the Arlberg for winter sports enthusiasts who aren’t so keen on partying. Those looking to relax after a long day’s skiing will find what they’re after at the modern wellness and leisure centre “Arlberg WellCom”. It features an indoor pool, saunas and spa areas, making it the perfect place to loosen up the muscles in your legs after many kilometres on the slopes and unwind. St. Anton also has plenty to offer in terms of cuisine, with numerous restaurants ranging from rustic and traditional to gourmet. Those looking for special local specialities should order a delicious Tyrolean Gröstl or round off their day’s skiing with a fondue in cosy surroundings.
Away from the bars and out in the fresh winter air, you can also try night tobogganing or curling. The 4 km-long Gampen-Nasserein toboggan run is open every Tuesday and Thursday during the ski season, when you can sledge down into the valley under floodlights in the evening. Things get active, but much warmer, at the end of the day in the “arl.rock” multi-purpose hall, where ski enthusiasts can climb, jump on trampolines and even go bowling.
FAQ on après-ski in St. Anton
What makes après-ski in St. Anton so special?
St. Anton am Arlberg is one of the most legendary après-ski destinations in the Alps. This is because the combination of traditional mountain hut culture and an international party atmosphere is unique here. Some of the first bars opened as early as the 1970s! In winter on the Arlberg, the celebrations begin in the afternoon on the slopes, before the parties continue deep into the night in the village.
Which are the most famous après-ski bars in St. Anton?
Among the most famous après-ski bars in the St. Anton ski area are the “MooserWirt”, which has been there since 1989, and the “Krazy Kanguruh”, which opened back in 1974. Also popular on the mountain are the “Sennhütte” with its rustic ambience and live music, and the new “Arl One”, a modern party venue with DJ sets and gourmet food. In the village itself, the après-ski favourites include the “Anton Bar”, “Piccadilly”, “Pub 37”, “Murrmel” and “Bar Cuba”.
Are there any quieter alternatives to the party scene in St. Anton?
Yes, alongside the après-ski parties, St. Anton has plenty to offer. To relax, it’s worth visiting the “Arlberg WellCom” wellness centre with its swimming pool and sauna, or enjoying a cosy evening in a restaurant, perhaps sampling regional specialities. There are also outdoor activities such as night tobogganing on floodlit toboggan runs, ice skating or bowling at “arl.rock”.
When does après-ski start in St. Anton and how long does it last?
Après-ski in St. Anton usually starts in the early afternoon. Many huts on the slopes start serving drinks and playing music as early as 3 pm, when most winter sports enthusiasts are on their way back down to the valley after a day on the slopes. The mountain bars often close between 7 and 8 pm. However, the partying continues seamlessly in the village. There, the bars and pubs stay open until late into the night, whilst some clubs even welcome guests until the early hours of the morning.
What events should winter sports enthusiasts not miss in St. Anton?
Event highlights include the “Stanton Ski Open” at the start of the season, featuring concerts and parties, as well as the weekly “Schneetreiben” ski show every Wednesday evening throughout the ski season. In April, the “Tanzcafé Arlberg Festival” also delights visitors for two weeks with live music in the streets and bars. However, the absolute highlight of the year in St. Anton is the “Weiße Rausch” in mid-April, marking the end of the ski season, when the whole village celebrates one last big party following the legendary Jedermann ski race.
