What age can children start ski school in St. Anton?

Ski School Arlberg's group courses start with the Minis, for 4-year-olds. Juniors are 5 to 11 and Teens 12 to 17. For under-4s, check with the school.

Where do children learn to ski in St. Anton?

At Hoppl's Kinderland, the ski school's children's area, reserved for children and their families. It has nine magic carpets, practice lifts, a carousel and a children's stage. Meeting points are at the Kinderwelt opposite the Gampen chairlift, or at the Kinderland by the Nassereinerlift in Nasserein.

Do kids ski free in St. Anton?

Not as a rule. Ski Arlberg has a reduced Snowman rate for children born in 2019 or later, and there are no special family tickets. On season passes, the third and younger siblings go free if a parent and the first two children buy at the same time.

St. Anton am Arlberg with kids

Q: Is St. Anton good for families?

It works best for families with confident older children. The ski school's children's areas are well organised, but St. Anton's own slopes are steep, the après is loud and it's expensive in school holidays.

St. Anton isn’t the obvious family resort. It’s best known for steep skiing and loud après-ski. But the ski school’s children’s facilities are well organised, and with the right base it works, especially for families with confident older children who will grow into the mountain.

Is St. Anton good for families?

It can be, with the right expectations:

Good children’s areas: Hoppl’s Kinderland is reserved for children and their families, away from the main pistes.
Easy arrival: the railway station is in the village centre, so you don’t need a car.
Plenty to do on bad-weather days, from a trampoline hall to two wellness centres.

What makes it harder: St. Anton’s own slopes are the steeper side of the Arlberg, the centre is lively from mid-afternoon, and there are no family lift tickets.

Ski schools and kids’ lessons in St. Anton

Ski School Arlberg runs the main children’s courses, meeting at the Kinderwelt opposite the Gampen chairlift in St. Anton, or at the Kinderland by the Nassereinerlift in Nasserein.
Group courses are split by age: “Minis” for 4-year-olds, “Juniors” for 5 to 11 and “Teens” for 12 to 17, with versions for first-timers and children with some experience.
Lunch supervision: instructors can look after children over lunch and take them to the children’s restaurants. It’s booked and paid for on site. Without it, a parent must collect the child, and the instructor will tell you when and where.
First-timers don’t need a lift pass for the first day of lessons.
Book early for school holidays.

Childcare and nurseries in St. Anton

The Kinderwelt includes a house with a kindergarten, but we couldn’t confirm its age range, so check minimum ages with the ski school. In the centre, Hotel Schwarzer Adler offers holiday childcare for children from 4, and has an indoor play area for guests.

If you need care for babies or toddlers, ask your hotel what it can arrange before you book.

Best beginner areas for children in St. Anton

The ski school’s children’s area, Hoppl’s Kinderland, is reserved for children and their families. It has nine magic carpets, practice lifts, a carousel, the “Hoppl Express” and a children’s stage, so young children can learn away from the main pistes.

The step from there onto St. Anton’s main mountain is a big one. Lech and Zürs, on the same lift pass, are generally gentler for a nervous young intermediate.

Snowy pistes and lifts on the Galzig above St. Anton am Arlberg, seen from the north — The Galzig, reached by the Galzigbahn from the village© Michael-stanton, CC BY-SA 3.0

St. Anton lift passes for families

Ski Arlberg sets ages by year of birth. For 2026/27, the reduced Snowman rate is for children born in 2019 or later, the children’s rate for 2011 to 2018, and the youth rate for 2007 to 2010.
Proof of age is required, so bring ID for every child.
There are no special family tickets.
Family bonus: on Ski Arlberg season passes, the third and younger siblings go free, as long as at least one parent and the first two children buy passes at the same time.

Things to do with kids in St. Anton off the slopes

The arl.park sports centre, with indoor tennis, squash, climbing and bouldering walls and a trampoline hall. Useful on a bad-weather day.
Ice rinks for skating and curling, and toboggan runs.
ARLBERG WellCom in the village and the Wellnesspark Arlberg Stanzertal in Pettneu for swimming.
More than 80 km of prepared winter walking paths.

Best family hotels in St. Anton

Nasserein is the natural family base: it has its own gondola, and the ski school’s Kinderland is by the Nassereinerlift. Hotel Nassereinerhof is about 150 m from the Nassereinbahn, with family rooms for up to six. In the centre, Hotel Schwarzer Adler has an indoor play area and holiday childcare from 4. See where to stay in St. Anton for more.

Tips for skiing in St. Anton with kids

Pick your base for the children’s area. The Kinderwelt is opposite the Gampen chairlift in St. Anton, and the Kinderland is in Nasserein. Stay close to the one you’ll use.
Après noise: the centre is lively from mid-afternoon. If you have small children who go to bed early, avoid rooms on the main street.
Mid-April finish: the lifts close on 18 April 2027, so a late spring trip isn’t guaranteed good snow.
Cost: St. Anton is priced accordingly in school holidays. Look at St. Jakob or self-catering apartments to bring the cost down.

For the full picture of the ski area, see our St. Anton ski resort guide.