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You would be forgiven for thinking that St Anton is an adults-only playground, but with so much on offer for little ones and their families, were here to persuade you that a family ski holiday to St Anton, is a great idea!
I’ve put together an extensive list of the best child-friendly activities to keep your kids happy, as well as breaking down ski school and childcare options.
First and foremost, the main challenge for parents is to select the right ski school to suit their little ones. In order for adults to enjoy their day on the slopes, they need to know that their little ones are being looked after and having fun (and hopefully improving their skiing at the same time!) Luckily St Anton has something to offer every child.
We are advocates of group lessons for kids, because not only because they are the most cost effective, but also because they’re the most fun! Your child will be in a group with up to 9 other children, all of the same ability, spending their week bombing around the mountain and giggling with their new friends. There are so many group lessons available, for toddlers to teenagers, listed below.
There is a group lesson for every kid, from beginners to advanced skiers, snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts. Lessons are specifically tailored to the needs of the individual, who are categorised as follows in order to be placed in the correct group.
- GREEN: Ski novice. Learning to slide, schuss & snowplough.
- BLUE: Making snowplough turns, whilst learning to use all lifts.
- RED: Parallel turns with long & short radius. Correct planting of poles.
- BLACK: Carving with long & short radius. Skiing multiple terrains including moguls, deep snow, steep slopes and freeride.
- TIMES: 09:30 - 15.00 (including a 1 hour lunch break)
- PRICES: 1 day €123 | 2 days €205 | 3 days €262 | 4 days €309 | 5 days €356 | 6 days €403
- LUNCH: €21.00 (or parents can collect their child between 12:00–13:00)
- DAYS: Beginners must start on a Sunday or Monday. No lessons on Saturday
The ‘Minis’ program is a specialised course for 4 years olds. Sessions are a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities, where the instructors will playfully familiarise the children with snow, skiing and their equipment. Children will receive plenty of breaks and time indoors to keep warm, whilst being kept motivated with games and coordination tasks.
- TIMES: 10.00 - 15.00 (2 hours in the morning & 2 hours in the afternoon + 1 hour lunch break)
- PRICES: 1 day €123 | 2 days €205 | 3 days €262 | 4 days €309 | 5 days €356 | 6 days €403
- LUNCH: €21 (or parents can collect their child between 12:00–13:00)
- DAYS: Beginners must start on a Sunday or Monday. No lessons on Saturday
Toddlers from the age of 3 can join Ski School Arlberg’s excellent ‘Bambini’ program. Sessions are a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities, with mornings typically spent focusing on play and entertainment without skis, whilst the afternoon sessions introduce the little ones to skiing, as they make their first slides on snow.
- Full day program from 09.30 - 15.00
- €150 inc. lunch, drinks, activities & childcare
- No lessons on a Saturday
- Children must be out of nappies
Private tuition is the most expensive, yet by far the most effective form of ski lessons for quick progression. They are also perfect for parents looking for a bit more flexibility in regards to tuition times, for parents looking for more specialised childcare during the daytime hours, or for children would like to specialise in a particular discipline such as off-piste or freestyle. After a week under the instruction of a private teacher, who will personalise and adapt their teachings accordingly, your child’s ability will have progressed so much that you won’t recognise them.
• 3 hours: €320.00
• 5 hours : €420.00
• 6 hours : €460.00
Prices shown are for 1 guest. Additional guests cost €35 per person
Morning lessons start at 09:00/09:30
Afternoon 3 hour lessons start at 13:00/13:30
If your group consists of 4 to 7 children of a similar ability, then a private instructor could work out cheaper than ski school. This is a great option for kids who want to stick together; it’s childcare and ski lessons all in one!
• 5 hours : €510.00
• 6 hours : €560.00
Prices shown are for groups of 4 – 7 guests. Group sizes of 7 guests maximum.
For an unforgettable family experience, why not book a lesson for the whole family? When 2 parents pay for a full days guiding, 3 children under 16 y/o can join in for free.
• 5 hours : €455.00
• 6 hours : €495.00
Maybe you would like to give your kids the chance to unclip their skis for the day and try something completely different? After all there is more to mountain sports than just ski and snowboard lessons! If you think your kids would enjoy trying a Snow-Scooter, Snow-Bike or Snow-Blades, why not book them a private instructor for the afternoon and give them an experience they won’t forget:
- 3 hours: €344.00
- 2 hours: €282.00
Prices shown are for 1 guest. Additional guests cost €40 per person
Private ski instructors are in huge demand, especially during busy family weeks, and therefore we recommend you book up quickly.
For guests looking for full-time childcare, or an evening or two or babysitting, there are many nanny services located here in St Anton. Our favourite of the bunch, with whom we’ve been working since their launch, is Alpine Angels.
The childcare service provided by Alpine Angels is varied and flexible to suit each client. They know the resort and all the best things to do with each age group, ensuring your little one will be entertained all day. Whats more, every nanny is experienced, has received a criminal record check and has completed a first aid course. We’re always blown away by their enthusiasm and professionalism, and we know your little ones will be very well looked after.
- 6 x full days (48 hours per week): from €1,104.00
- 6 x half days (24 hours per week): from €552.00
- Full day (8 hours per day): from €184.00
- Half day (4 hours per day): from €92.00
- Evening babysitting: from €23.00 per hour until midnight and €30.00 per hour after midnight
- Prices shown are for 1 or 2 children, with 1 nanny. 1 nanny can look after 4 children maximum. From 3 or 4 children, please add an extra 20%
Nanny services are always oversubscribed, so if you would like to book a nanny for your holiday we recommend you booking as early as possible!
This weekly event is a ‘must’ for every family holiday. The show, entitled ‘The Snow Must Go On’, is an exploration of the history and evolution of St Anton, with instructors putting on a fantastic display of epic skiing, snowboarding and ski-choreography. The skiing is accompanied by illuminations, special effects, fireworks & projections, to tell the audience the history of skiing. It’s a great activity for families after dinner, and we guarantee both adults and children alike will love it.
- WHEN: Every Wednesday (from 10th January) @ 21.00
- WHERE: Karl Schranz World Cup stadium
- HOW MUCH: Admission is free.
Arlberg Escapes hosts two escape rooms in the very centre of St Anton. For those who don’t know, an Escape Room is a live, team based adventure game, in which you and your team enter a themed room where you will find clues and hints to solve a multitude of puzzles. You have 60 minutes to ‘escape’ and will only do so by working together to solve the puzzles.
You'd be amazed at what the kids can figure out that the adults can't!
- OPENING HOURS: Everyday 12:00 – 22:00
- TEAMS: Each game can be played by groups of 2 to 6.
- COST: 2-3 players €75 | 4 players €100 | 5 players €120 | 6 players €135
St Anton is home to a 4km natural terrain toboggan run. The starting point at 1,850 metres is easily reached by the Nasserein gondola, where the fast and winding route takes about 20 minutes to descend into the valley.
This is a great activity for everyone, beginners and families alike. We recommend stopping along the way in Thony's (the old Rodel Alm) or Thony's Barn at the base of the track, for a hot chocolate and to warm up those hands.
WHEN: Open daily from 12 noon to 4.15 pm.
WHERE: Access via the Nassereinbahn
COST: Use your weekly lift pass to access the lift + hire a toboggan from any sports shop or Thony's Barn
Please note that the toboggan run is conditions dependent. Please do check that the track is open before hiring your equipment.
The Arl-Park is St Anton's newest indoor offering; a sports complex with a bowling alley, climbing wall, trampoline park, squash courts, ping pong and pool tables and a cafe serving hot and cold drinks as well as beer and wine fro the adults.
The trampoline park is as good as they get, run by Olympic freestyle skier Andy Gohl, complete with 14 trampoline fields, an airbag, free-fall towers, professional standard trampoline beds, an AirTrack, double-mini-tramps, and much more.
Excellent for adults and children alike, conveniently located under a bar and restaurant, parents can enjoy an evening meal and a glass of wine, whilst kids run wild!
- TRAMPOLINING: €20.00
- BOWLING: €12.00
- CLIMBING: €12.00
If you’d like your children to feel as though they’ve stepped foot in a real life Fairy Tale, then a horse drawn sleigh ride could be the answer. Wrapped up in a blanket, sat on a sheep-skin-rug, with a hot drink, the journey will take you through the breathtaking snow covered trees of the Verwall Valley. Deep in the Verwall you will find the cosy Wagner Hutt where you will stop ffor a hot chocolate, before returning back.
- DURATION: 90 minutes + 30 minute break
- COST: €250 for 1-4 guests (or €50 per person for groups of 5 and more)
- WHEN: Every Wednesday & Thursday @ 12.00, 14.00 or 16.00
If that’s enough to get you excited about a family trip to St Anton, but you have a few more questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch for more information. I am always happy to answer questions and give more specific advice if needed.
We still have Half Term available at Wunderbar Lodge, so if i've persuaded you that St Anton is the place to be, book now.
I look forward to seeing you on the slopes.
xx Carly xx
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