 Poster: A snowHead
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New on this forum and looking into some advice from people that have been to St. Anton.
We're a group of 4 advanced and expert skiërs in their high twenties. Ski everything but don't go off-piste a lot, we prefer carving and short turns on the steeps. We value apres but generally until 22:00 at best as we ski from first till last lift.
For our boys trip we're looking into St. Anton, 5 days skiing from December 9 to 14. Other options are Solden or Serfaus but already have been there this year. Going to Ischgl in 2026 so would like to avoid going there again.
Season start in St. Anton in 2024 was December 6 - 8. That would be 5-7 this year if they hold on to the first weekend of December.
Is anyone aware of the conditions in St. Anton the week after season opening? Are the pistes in good condition or barely skiable? And does the town turn into a ghost town again after season opening or will it still be vibrant?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@DownhillD, I was there for opening weekend this season (have a look on the Arlberg thread for a bit more info). I was surprised how busy the place was, a significant number of people especially from Scandinavia. There were live bands etc but not my thing, I sat in a bar with a few beers. I would assume weekdays would be much quieter. As to snow conditions who knows but be aware that it will only be a limited number of lifts whatever the conditions. Less buses than normal season too. I generally only go to St Anton these days but Ischgl might be a better option for an early season week as they tend to have more lifts open.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@DownhillD, there will be plenty of guaranteed skiing on artificial snow between St.Anton and Zürs, and if you're lucky with an early season dump, even the connection to Lech will be open.
The Rendl area only opens towards the beginning of high-season.
And yes, atmosphere is guaranteed too. It's been a long time that I was in St.Anton in early December, but even back then already there was a good crowd at apres-ski.
My guess is that Serfaus is less lively in early December, due to it's 'family'-image.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@DownhillD, I’d say St Anton is a great choice for your group requirements. And conditions can be great in December although the weather is obviously a lottery.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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December this winter was incredibly busy. In previous years the pistes were quite empty, until Christmas week, when the place is full. I have a few pairs of very big skis which enjoy being skied at a very fast pace like super g. However there was no chance to let them run this winter. The people on the slopes did not translate into busy bars or restaurants. I could only conclude this was due to people taking advantage of the cheaper prices for accommodation and lift passes in the time before Christmas.
As for the snow, it is impossible to predict now. I have skied over the head powder on opening day but also the lifts have stayed shut due to no snow.
Next seasons dates are 3rd December until 19 April.
There are normally ski instructor courses at the start of December. If there is not enough snow here they switch to Ischgl.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks! Ischgl is indeed only 40 minute drive away. If the snow in St. Anton is really bad we could always go there for a day or two.
Thanks for noting the season dates! Couldn't find them myself.
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@stanton, There will be no issue finding accommodation for 4 this is not a 20 person stag group. Perfectly normal for groups of friends to come skiing, you seem to live in a strange world. Perhaps its only the Dutch with issues after the punch up in the Moose this year.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hahaha We're Dutch, but civilezed. No bar fights, table dancing etc.. We get more hammered when playing cards in the hotel than we do when going out. However, Good to know that Mooserwirth is open! Would be a shame to go to St. Anton and miss this icon. And we're looking for accommodation max 200 meter from the Galzig gondola.
If there is 100/150km of pistes open and some exciting blacks like 52 or Der Lange Zug that would be great.
Last year we went to Serfaus from December 14 to 18. That was great. Great conditions: bars were full enough and pistes empty enough. Maybe that gives you more of an idea how "busy" we like it. As long as it doesn't turn into a ghost town we're fine.
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@DownhillD, might be a bit early for Langerzug & madloch but you could be lucky, Kandahar will almost certainly be open
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@DownhillD, including Langerzug when coming from St.Anton requires an early start, or better, by bus to Lech. But indeed, in December you would be very lucky to find Langerzug open.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Went ahead and booked December 9-14 in St. Anton. AlpTyrol apartments had a great offer.
If anyone has any tips for pistes or nice bars/restaurants feel free to share.
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@DownhillD, I suspect my taste in bars etc might be a bit different to yours! Two bars I would suggest (though might be too quiet for you), Dorfstuben - ask for the Bavarian Tegernseer beer not the Austrian stuff, food Schnitzel mit Pommes etc, Jules - Augustiner beer (I suspect you can see a pattern here!) plus more "international food", Skiing Buddha - in the sports centre next to the station, Thai/Asian food a bit of a change from burgers & schnitzel. Murrmel has live music and a club in the basement a few comments about the price of drinks. Bobos (same building / owners as Dorfstuben) - late drinks with tex mex food.
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