Stanton Ski Open 2026
Ski Opening in St. Anton am Arlberg
The Arlberg season starts with a full weekend of energy.
The official Ski Open runs from 4 to 6 December. Enjoy free ski and snowboard tests, live music, food trucks and the very first weekend on snow.
Of Connected Slopes
St. Anton, Lech, Zürs and Stuben on one lift pass.
Festival Stages
Live music takes place on three stages in the village.
Ski Area Start
Ski Arlberg plans to begin winter operation on 2 December.
Stanton Ski Open
Friday through Sunday, 4-6 December 2026.
Official programme
How the opening weekend unfolds
First turns, new equipment and free music in the village. The weekend closes with practical mountain safety at Galzig.
Friday · 4 December
First turns and live music
08:30-16:00 Free ski and snowboard testing at Galzigbahn. From 16:00, food trucks; from 17:00, live acts across three stages.
Whitelines, MA:RK, Dominique Jardin, Marc Amacher, unlimited culture, Slash n'Roses, Tina Turner - This is Tina.
Saturday · 5 December
Festival night in the village
08:30-16:00 Free equipment testing. 16:00-22:00 food trucks and live music, with the Krampus parade from 19:00.
MÖWE, Lucaz × Celeste, Andi Gabauer, Supertramp - Century's Crime and Taylor Swift Tribute.
Sunday · 6 December
Safety skills for the season
08:00-15:00 Arlberg Safety Camp at Galzig: avalanche awareness, equipment, snow knowledge, companion rescue and first aid. Free equipment testing continues until 15:00.
Festival-area entry is free. Programme subject to change.
Choose your Ski Open stay
One opening weekend. Two clear ways to stay.
Choose the full Festival package with a ski pass, or stay longer for the separate Deal and use the quieter piste days after the weekend.
Package
Ski Opening 2 Nights
4-6 December 2026
- Two nights and breakfast
- 3-day Ski Arlberg pass
- Made for the Festival weekend
See the current price and availability in the offer.
Deal
Stay 4 Nights, Pay 3
4-10 December 2026
- Stay four nights, pay for three
- Always without a ski pass
- Festival weekend plus quieter Monday-Thursday pistes
The ski pass is deliberately not part of this Deal.
The Opening Weekend
Three days that begin with the first turns of winter. Hotel Die Arlbergerin opens on Friday, 4 December.
Try New Equipment
Test the new season's skis and snowboards for free at Galzigbahn from Friday to Sunday, 08:30-16:00.
Music and Food Trucks
Live music takes over three village stages on Friday and Saturday. Food trucks open from 16:00. Festival-area entry is free.
Arlberg Safety Camp
Learn more about avalanche awareness, rescue practice and first aid during the free Safety Camp from 08:00 to 15:00.
Festival Plus Quiet Pistes
Enjoy the Festival weekend, then ski into a quieter week from Monday to Thursday. This separate Deal is always without a ski pass.
Watch the Ski Open
An official St. Anton countdown film for the opening weekend. It provides a quick feel for the festival atmosphere.
Winter imagery © TVB St. Anton am Arlberg / Patrick Bätz. Official event information: St. Anton am Arlberg.
When St. Anton turns winter on
The Ski Open weekend, clearly planned.
What happens at Stanton Ski Open 2026
Ski Area Start: 2 December
Free Test at Galzigbahn
Festival: 4-6 December
Sunday: Arlberg Safety Camp
Hotel Die Arlbergerin
- Boutique design hotel in the heart of St. Anton
- Generous breakfast buffet included daily
- Private sauna access for guests
- 700m walking distance to the main lift
- Free ski bus stop directly at the hotel
- Guests who come for opening week come back every year
Pension Der Steinbock
A 300-year-old Tyrolean farmhouse. Family-friendly, all ages welcome. The authentic base for the start of the season.
- Historic Tyrolean farmhouse, fully modernised
- Regional breakfast included every morning
- Family-friendly, all ages welcome
- Traditional Alpine character in every room
- Steps from the village centre
- The most authentic way to start the ski season
Ski opening week fills up fast. Secure your room early.
The first weeks of the season are among the most exciting. Book direct for the best rate and guaranteed availability.
St. Anton: The Cradle of Alpine Skiing.
Ski Opening in St. Anton
First Runs. Best Days. No Crowds.
Opening week at the Arlberg is not about ski schools or family programmes. It is about experienced skiers getting on the mountain first. Fresh pistes, cold air and the feeling that the whole season is still ahead of you.
- First tracks on freshly groomed pistes
- 300 km of Ski Arlberg from day one
- Live music and après-ski from opening night
- The Arlberg at its most electric atmosphere
- Fewer crowds than peak December and February
Questions about Ski Opening in St. Anton
Stanton Ski Open takes place from Friday 4 December to Sunday 6 December 2026.
Ski Arlberg plans to start winter operation in St. Anton, St. Christoph and Stuben on 2 December 2026. Limited operation can be possible at the beginning of the season.
The live package is for two nights from 4 to 6 December 2026 and includes breakfast plus a 3-day Ski Arlberg pass. See the offer page for current rooms, price and booking.
This separate Deal is planned for stays from 4 to 10 December 2026. It is not the Ski Opening 2 Nights package and does not include a ski pass unless the live WebsLINE offer says so.
Yes. The official organiser states that festival-area admission is free. Accommodation and ski passes are booked separately.
Hotel Die Arlbergerin is around 700 m from Nassereinbahn. The hotel welcomes guests from age 10.
Ready for Ski Opening 2026?
- Our Rooms
Choose your room
Browse rooms at Hotel Die Arlbergerin and Pension Der Steinbock, then check the currently available option for your Ski Open stay.
b&b | triple room Tradition – der Steinbock
- From: 210€
- For: 2-4 Guest(s)
- Approx. 34 m²
b&b | double room Tradition – der Steinbock
- From: 140€
- For: 1-2 Guest(s)
- Approx. 18 m²
b&b | Single room Tradition der Steinbock
- From: 68€
- For: 1 Guest(s)
- Approx. 12 m²
b&b | triple room bergfeuer – der Steinbock
- From: 240€
- For: 2-3 Guest(s)
- Approx. 26 m²
b&b | double room redbock – der Steinbock
- From: 160€
- For: 1-2 Guest(s)
- Approx. 18 m²
b&b | Double room comfort – der Steinbock
- From: 150€
- For: 1-2 Guest(s)
- Approx. 24 m²