I believe the Vorarlberg buses (ie the ones to Zürs & Lech) are card only this season. I cant see the drivers are going to be checking tickets on the ski buses, most folk get on through the middle or rear doors, no way to check those. The bus to Landeck & night buses are different.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Yeh I feel like it's going to be an impossible one to police... It's bad enough the late night ones with people being angry waiting.
I think technically you can't drink beer on the bus too but that seemed to be fair game by everyone around me last year..
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?
So is the rule basically 'do not wear jeans'...? My normal coat is basically a ski jacket.
Lots of people leave their skis/boots in town so other than jeans I dunno how you could spot them as 'skiers' Vs 'fake skiers'.
This also hugely sucks for all the staff working up the mountain (if living down), or working down the mountain (if living up)... I really can't see them being happy paying each journey...
Wait so getting the bus up to mooserwirt just for a drink means I'd have to pay? That's crazy...
Crazy? Are busses free in your hometown?
munich_irish wrote:
I believe the Vorarlberg buses (ie the ones to Zürs & Lech) are card only this season. I cant see the drivers are going to be checking tickets on the ski buses, most folk get on through the middle or rear doors, no way to check those. The bus to Landeck & night buses are different.
Oh yes they could. Some Amsterdam trams had that; middle and rear doors blocked for getting on, only for getting out.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
[quote="Langerzug"]
badatbetting wrote:
Crazy? Are busses free in your hometown?
True, I've just never paid for a bus in a ski resort during skiing hours so this is new to me. I *really* hope they have a card machine though, I never have change!
I also worry for the emergency services more, they aren't going to be overly happy that a bunch more people will be walking up/down the slope..
I also hope it doesn't ruin the seasonairres apres vibe, I can see many not going up to apres after work if they have to pay. This could be a serious vibes tariff
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
There is now a fairly expensive tourist tax, which is supposed to cover this sort of thing. In Salzburgerland all public transport is now free for visitors (much to the annoyance of locals!).
After all it is free
After all it is free
I have to pay the tourist tax and this new bus tax lol
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.
If you pay the tourist tax then the busses are included. Night busses are extra, as last winter.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
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How can I 'prove' that? Is there a link showing any of this?
Even if I'm covered, I hope the vibes are the same at taps etc
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Hi all!
I am planning a few days in St Anton or Lech around 1-5 March 2026.
I am slightly concerned about St Anton being a little too busy on the slopes.
It seems that there shouldn't be too many germans on holiday that week.
Do you anticipate the pistes will be full and likely queues for the lifts?
Would I be better heading to Lech or even Warth?
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.
@Astontech, The Arlberg is busy most of the time from Christmas to the end of March. New Year is exceptionally busy and best avoided if possible. Fasching week is a bit busier than other weeks but not that much. In terms of numbers I dont think you will see much difference between St Anton & Lech. Warth is probably a bit quieter, it is a good deal smaller and not so easy to get to. Whilst St Anton is no longer the late night drinking spot of legend it is still lively into the small hours. Lech is less focus on "apres" more champagne bars & dinning (though that is creeping into St Anton too). There are a few bottlenecks through the system eg Zamermoosbahn in St Anton, Zürserseebahn, Seekopfbahn & Madlochbahn in Zürs, Schlegelkopfbahn in Lech. The home runs especially the one in St Anton past the apres spots can get pretty busy and lumpy at the end of the day but can be avoided. In general no different than any other popular area and better than some eg Ischgl
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Comparable to the likes of Paradiski and 3V do you think?
As long as there aren’t 10’s of people barreling past me then I don’t mind at all.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Astontech, Its 30 years since I was in 3V etc so cant really comment. I think less of a holiday peak, the crowds are more spread out. Sadly irresponsible skiers (usually young lads) can be found everywhere. You can find quieter spots like Rendl at St Anton or the runs at Zürs under Zürsersee & Seekopf (numbers restricted by lift capacity so that means a short wait!)
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Ok great, thanks very much for the info!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@munich_irish, queues at Schlegelkopfbahn??
Having stayed in a pension on Schlegelkopf for 15 years, and Schlegelkopf most of the time our first morning lift, I can confidently confirm that even early mornings there have never been huge queues. Definitely nothing compared to the scenes in St.Anton at Gampen and Galzig!
Schlegelkopf early morning: 5 minutes max!
Rüfikopfbahn cablecar early morning: in general 15-20 minutes.
@Astontech, in general lifts and slopes in Lech-Warth are clearly quieter than the St.Anton side, and also in Zürs. Sadly Zürs has a bottleneck mornings at Zürserseebahn and Seekopfbahn. But in general still manageable.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Is the Madlochbahn still as much of a bottleneck since the upgrade to a six pack?
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?
@mcg, Can still be large somewhat chaotic queues, there is now a sharp right turn just before the lift which is less than ideal if busy.
As predicted (last week) we have snow down to 1000M today .. It is White in the Valley
Currently Ülmerhütte is reporting just over 0.5Mtr of snow at 15.15hrs
There will be a big change from Tomorrow afternoon
Warm weather will return föhn southwesterly current from Wednesday for the rest of the week.
The freeze level will rise above the Valluga peak to 3000m.
November will bring a Mediterranean Föhn Warm Spell ............+10-15C !!
NOTE:
The 2025-2026 winter is expected to be colder and potentially snowier than recent years, particularly in northern North America, due to an anticipated La Niña pattern. For Europe, forecasts are less certain, with some models predicting a weaker snowfall season overall, but potentially more snow in the north (Scandinavia) and south (UK). The US is likely to see colder, more active winters in the Midwest and Northeast, while Europe's snowfall will depend on specific regional factors and the strength of large-scale patterns like the Polar Vortex.
IMO... I think it will be a repeat of Last Season. i.e Fluctuating temperature (not consistent winter negative cold) A Couple of Dumps to get through the season but as always heavily reliant on Kuntschnee
Will be ok for Carpet Skier but Powder Hounds will have to wait or their random days.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
So I currently have an accommodation option in St Anton as well as Lech, I would love some further insight of which resort would if anybody could provide please?
What I am after:
- A resort with good intermediate skiing (I am happy on blues and reds, dont need to be skiing blacks)
- Not overcrowded 1-5 March, I don't mind it being somewhat busy but 10 minute queues and moguls by 11am is a bit off-putting
- Decent apres (as in, we like to sit in a lively pub and have 4/5 pints whilst maybe some live music playing)
- Doesn't absolutely break the bank (happy paying 8-10 euro for a beer but ive heard reports of 18e glasses of wine in Lech?
- Decent food options
- I will be driving so good access is required (the drive to Lech seems like it could be difficult if it is snowing?
So far I have the pros and cons as:
Lech pros
-Seemingly more accessible intermediate skiing
-Not too rowdy
-Maybe a little more snowsure?
Lech cons
- Drive there may be difficult
- Possibly very expensive to eat/drink
- Too quiet in town for the apres described above?
SA pros:
- Easy access
- Apres should be easy to find
- More affordable
SA Cons:
- Maybe a little busy
- Terrain more suited towards advanced skiiers?
I prefer the accommodation I found in SA so I guess as long as the 2 cons above aren't much of an issue then all should be ok?
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Astontech, Easy questions first
It is very unlikely there will be access issues to Lech in March. It is less of an issue these days but if there was to be an issue almost certainly in January.
You are more likely to find a suitable bar in St Anton than in Lech, there are a few spots that charge too much, avoid Base Camp, there have been some complaints about the cost of beer in Murrmel (though you might like the music), you shouldnt be paying more than €8-€10 for a beer.
Lech has more fine dinning though there is a Michelin starred spot in St Anton. There is a Thai in St Anton which often appeals to brits (dont believe any curry in Lech). St Anton has a kebab place and a burger place which I dont believe Lech has.
Skiing is down to personal preference, my view is that whatever part of the Arlberg you ski you need a certain sense of adventure to get the best out of it. Not to say you need to be a rubber legged expert hitting the Schindler couloirs, more that you need to be prepared to try stuff. I think the best skiing is at Zürs but St Anton very good too, I find Lech a bit bland by comparison but perhaps I have just been to the "wrong" spots. Warth often has the best snow especially if there has been a run of traditional "Nordstau" weather.
Warth is a bit isolated, certainly more effort to get to, either across a high pass or a very long valley. Also a bit small, not stayed there so cant comment on the apres but dont think there is much.
From what you have said would go with St Anton though do check your accommodation has parking included as parking can be a pain and expensive if not
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Astontech, have a look at Stuben. Could tick a few of your boxes. Close to both. Quick access to slopes. Some aprea if you only want a few beers but close enough to St Anton if you want proper apres
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Thanks guys!
Perhaps if I wanted to ski the lech area first thing in the morning I could drive over from StA and get the first lift up?
Is it easy to park there?
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
If you get there early it's very easy, and parking is free when you validate your pass. I did it regularly from st Anton and wanted to hit some fresh groomers before they became slush, quite a cute drive too
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Fantastic, well that has made my mind up then! I will stay in St Anton and perhaps make the drive over a couple of days. Appreciate all of the advice.
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.
@Astontech, SkiArlberg might be getting tricky for you:
1. if you really prefer blues and reds, you really might not like the skiing on the St.Anton side. Just a slight warning, I know people who really detest St.Anton for this.
2. if you really like a good Austrian style après-ski, you will not like the Lech side
The drive from St.Anton to Lech is ok in dry weather. But there are two passes in between (Arlbergpass and Flexenpass). With snowfall driving can be unpleasant, and sometimes chains obligatory even for 4x4
Parking in Lech is fine.
Additionally: When skiing in Lech and driving back to St.Anton, getting to the most famous après-ski spots like Mooserwirt and Krazy Kanguruh is unlikely since they are on-piste, above village.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Tue 28-10-25 11:38; edited 1 time in total
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Langerzug wrote:
@Astontech, SkiArlberg might be getting tricky for you:
1. if you really prefer blues and reds, you really might not like the skiing on the St.Anton side.
2. if you really like a good Austrian style après-ski, you will not like the Lech side
The drive from St.Anton to Lech is ok in dry weather. But there are two passes in between (Arlbergpass and Flexenpass). With snowfall driving can be unpleasant, and sometimes chains obligatory even for 4x4
Parking in Lech is fine.
I don't need or want crazy apres, just somewhere with a good atmosphere for a few beers after a day of skiing.
Arlberg is ideal for me currently as I will be driving from Calais and have a few days to kill with a friend before I need to be in Munich so its fairly well located for that. (he will be getting a train or I can get him from an airport)
I am open to other locations though.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Astontech, have a look at this very short video. It's as wild as it gets in Lech
@Astontech, The car park at Zürs has been free but think the ones in Lech have a cost. If you are staying in the centre of St Anton then easy enough to get the bus, which means you can ski back. If you want to ski Warth when based in St Anton definite advantage in driving / getting the bus to Lech
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
P.S which area in St Anton will be best suited to good intermediates? Again, happy on blues and reds (french blues and reds i mean)
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?
Parking in Lech: 9 euro/day
Skiing in St.Anton: Main issue for blue/red skiers is that in St.Anton there are many steeper bottlenecks which get chopped up (moguls) early in the day. These are spread throughout the ski area and cannot be (easily) avoided, and happen even on blue pistes.
@Astontech, if you are looking for 'French style' blues and reds (in German: Autobahn pistes ), combined with real après-ski, nearby Ischgl might be a better choice for you.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Astontech, The issue is that there are three ways back from Galzig (which is the centre of the ski area above St Anton), one is a blue run, Steissbachtal, which is prone to closure due to avalanche risk, there is a black run, Kandahar and also a ski route, Osthang, which is a steepish and narrowish mogul run. I avoid Steissbachtal as it is narrow in parts, overfilled with less capable skiers mixed in with a few boy racers not a good combination in my view. Kandahar usually has decent snow, is not that steep though does tend to have a mogul field on the last pitch, it is also fairly wide. It should not prove any great challenge for competent skiers (no need for fast fall line skiing) unless it is icy (not often). Osthang is great if you enjoy skiing moguls (I do but not sure my knees agree these days!). There is then a crowded blue run from the junction of Kandahar & Steissbachtal, this leads past the main apres spots (Arl One, KK, Mooserwirt) but often gets badly chopped up especially the lower section exposed to the sun. Far better to head up to Gampen via the Mattun chair and ski down from there unless you fancy a few beers.
In seasons when Steissbachtal has been closed this has caused stress for those who want to only ski blue runs (Galzig being the main haunt of ski school) as the only options are, to get the lift back down, ski a "black" or a ski route. The powers that be are well aware of this issue. There was one proposal to create a piste on an old ski route now off piste run from St Christoph but this is a non runner. More likely is a new lift connecting Galzig & Gampen but this is a couple of years away.
The Rendl area has a good number of blues & reds and is often bathed in sunshine whilst Galzig is wreathed in cloud. For a really long red / blue run start at the top of the Schindler lift all the way down to Stuben, from about 2650m to 1400m
Be a nuisance if Spar does close, I stock up on Meindl coffee, Goulash, Asbach and salaamis there..
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
We never paid to park in lech last season, so is that new this year? We always used the one with that old fashioned two man chairlift out of the car park
After all it is free
After all it is free
Lech
New Apres Ski Bar
G'spusi SchirmBar
Will be located on the Square on the North East side behind the Gemeindezentrum directly on the bank of the Lech River ,
The snow that fell was very wet ... This would of been good if it had frozen on the hill into a solid icepack but the temperature is going to seriously rise in the next few days (above 3000Metres) so there will be massive run off water into the valleys ...
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.
badatbetting wrote:
We never paid to park in lech last season, so is that new this year? We always used the one with that old fashioned two man chairlift out of the car park
Yes that's the Schlosskopf parking/lift right at the end of town. It's free if you have a lift pass and there is a lot more parking spaces there than any of the paid options in the main part of town. We always park there when skiing in Lech too.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
munich_irish wrote:
@Astontech, Easy questions first
It is very unlikely there will be access issues to Lech in March. It is less of an issue these days but if there was to be an issue almost certainly in January.
You are more likely to find a suitable bar in St Anton than in Lech, there are a few spots that charge too much, avoid Base Camp, there have been some complaints about the cost of beer in Murrmel (though you might like the music), you shouldnt be paying more than €8-€10 for a beer.
Lech has more fine dinning though there is a Michelin starred spot in St Anton. There is a Thai in St Anton which often appeals to brits (dont believe any curry in Lech). St Anton has a kebab place and a burger place which I dont believe Lech has.
Skiing is down to personal preference, my view is that whatever part of the Arlberg you ski you need a certain sense of adventure to get the best out of it. Not to say you need to be a rubber legged expert hitting the Schindler couloirs, more that you need to be prepared to try stuff. I think the best skiing is at Zürs but St Anton very good too, I find Lech a bit bland by comparison but perhaps I have just been to the "wrong" spots. Warth often has the best snow especially if there has been a run of traditional "Nordstau" weather.
Warth is a bit isolated, certainly more effort to get to, either across a high pass or a very long valley. Also a bit small, not stayed there so cant comment on the apres but dont think there is much.
From what you have said would go with St Anton though do check your accommodation has parking included as parking can be a pain and expensive if not
Beer in the Murrmel was around 7 euros for 500ml last year, for either weissbier or stieglbrau. Not the cheapest place in St Anton, but definitely not the most expensive either. The Moose/KK were around 8 euros for the same if I remember correctly. Free live music from 5-8.30 in the Murrmel too, most nights it's Gunar with another singer (Dave ?) on his two nights off.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
as it gets in Lech
