Situated high in Austria’s westernmost province of Vorarlberg at 1,410 meters, Stuben am Arlberg might just be the Arlberg’s best-kept secret. While St. Anton gets all the après-ski headlines and Lech attracts the luxury crowd, this charming village of just 90 residents offers something increasingly rare: authentic Alpine charm without the tourist crowds, direct access to one of the world’s largest ski areas, and some of the most reliable snow conditions on the planet.
Why Stuben Should Be Your Next Winter Destination
The Snow Speaks for Itself
Stuben is considered one of the snowiest villages of the world, almost guaranteeing reliable snow conditions every year. With an average of nine meters of snowfall per winter and approx. 70 percent snow-covered slopes, this isn’t just marketing fluff – it’s meteorological reality. The village’s north-facing position means powder snow stays fresh longer than on many south-facing slopes elsewhere in the Alps.
Your Key to the Entire Arlberg
Here’s where Stuben truly shines: its location between St Anton and Lech-Zurs makes Stuben a great base for exploring the whole of the Arlberg. The Flexen 10-person gondola lift (connection lift between Zürs and Stuben/Rauz), which opened in the 2016/2017 season, completes the circle and enables a direct connection to each village in this expansive ski resort. Translation? You can wake up in Stuben and be carving fresh tracks in Lech, St. Anton, or Warth within minutes.
Skiing the Legendary Arlberg
Scale That Matters
Stuben puts you in the heart of Austria’s largest connected ski area. We’re talking 299.7 km of slopes and 200 km of ski routes available. 85 lifts transport the guests across seven interconnected resort areas. Whether you’re a beginner gaining confidence or an expert seeking untouched powder, the sheer variety is staggering.
The Albona Experience
Stuben’s main attraction is the 2400m Albona mountain, the front face of which is north-facing so powder here stays in better condition than on St Anton’s mostly south-facing mountains, and it’s refreshed more frequently because Stuben is snowier. For intermediate to advanced skiers, the Albona offers everything from perfectly groomed red runs to challenging off-piste terrain that would make any powder hound weep with joy.
Family-Friendly Terrain
Don’t worry if your group spans multiple skill levels. The local terrain is great for beginners, with lots of intermediate to advanced pistes to explore as well! There is a separate rather isolated nursery slope area for novices with tuition provided by good ski schools.
Where History Meets Modern Luxury
A Village with Stories
Stuben’s history reads like an adventure novel. In a document dating back to 1218, Count Hugo I of Montfort of the Johanniter guaranteed “fire, water, and shelter” for poor passengers. By 1330, Stuben was referred to for the first time – as a post station and the “Kaiser’s highest living room”. This wasn’t just any mountain outpost – this was where emperors chose to rest.
The village also claims legendary skier Hannes Schneider, who was born in Stuben, played a pivotal role in spreading the region’s reputation as one of the first winter sports resorts. Today, you’ll find the Hannes Schneider Bar carrying on his legacy.
Accommodation: From Cozy to Luxurious
Traditional Charm Meets Modern Comfort
Stuben’s accommodation scene perfectly balances authentic Alpine character with contemporary amenities. Hotel Hubertushof is a 4 star hotel at the top of the village but with direct access to the piste through a lift, with an indoor poool and full spa, sauna and wellness facilities.
For a truly authentic experience, consider The 4-star Ski Hotel Mondschein has foundation walls dating from 1739 which attest to the depth of tradition at this charming hotel in the centre of Stuben. The Mondschein’s Gault Milau restaurant is proudly listed in the Michelin “Best Restaurants 2007” – serious culinary credentials for a village this size.
Budget-Conscious Options
Accommodation ranges from 4-star hotels to simple guesthouses, self-catering apartments and a few catered chalets. The variety means everyone from budget backpackers to luxury seekers can find their perfect Alpine basecamp.
Dining and Après-Ski: Small Village, Big Flavors
Quality Over Quantity
For après ski and dining in Stuben, the Hannes Schneider Bar at the Après Post Hotel and The Fuxbau Bar are the happening places. Fuxbau not only has a lively umbrella bar, popular with local skiers for cocktails and alpen glow after skiing, this is also one of the best restaurants in the Arlberg.
The Fuxbau deserves special mention. Make a reservation for the intimate creative cuisine at Fuxbau, the décor is an inviting as the Chef’s plates from the open concept kitchen. From the amuse bouche to the local bread with cows butter served with a pot of sprouts and scissor on our table, to the mountain sturgeon, we quickly grasped why skiers come from all around the Arlberg come to dine at the trendy Fuxbau.
Authentically Alpine
Apres-ski is enjoyable but relatively quiet with just a handful of good bars and restaurants. There are no nightclubs and few shops in the village. This isn’t a limitation – it’s a feature. In a world of manufactured Alpine experiences, Stuben offers the real deal.
Getting There and Getting Around
Accessibility Made Easy
Stuben is easy to fly to with four airports within a two-hour drive. Once you’re there, the old, slow (and often very cold) 2-person chairlift from the village has been replaced by an express gondola making Stuben an even more convenient base for exploring the entire Arlberg ski area.
Transportation Within the Arlberg
The beauty of staying in Stuben lies in its strategic position. The central lift junction at Alpe Rauz is just one lift and one short run away, so you can easily switch from the Albona via Alpe Rauz to the rest of the Arlberg, including St Anton, Lech-Zurs, and Warth- Even the Arlberg’s one unconnected outpost, Sonnenkopf, is easy to reach from Stuben: it’s less than twenty minutes away by bus with a frequent service, and well worth a day trip.
Beyond Winter: Year-Round Adventure
While Stuben truly comes alive in winter, the village offers compelling summer experiences too. The Austrian long-distance hiking trail 01 (“Nordalpenweg”) runs partly through the town of Stuben (Ulmer Hütte). It is part of the European walking route E4. Mountain huts like the Ulmer Hütte and Kaltenberghütte, built in 1928, provide basecamp for serious Alpine adventures.
The Bottom Line
In an increasingly crowded and commercialized Alpine landscape, Stuben am Arlberg offers something precious: authenticity without compromise. You get world-class skiing across the planet’s most legendary mountains, reliable snow conditions that would make other resorts weep with envy, and accommodation that ranges from budget-friendly to seriously luxurious – all in a village that has managed to preserve its soul.
Stuben is a classic ski village for family ski holiday, a must for those who love extraordinary scenery, alpine heritage, nature and peacefulness, big mountain skiing, luxury lodging and a taste of après ski fun. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a serious ski expedition with friends, Stuben delivers an Alpine experience that feels both timeless and thrillingly modern.
The village may only have 90 year-round residents, but during ski season, it becomes a gateway to some of the most epic mountain experiences on Earth. In a region where every village seems to promise “authentic Alpine charm,” Stuben am Arlberg actually delivers it – along with world-class skiing that will leave you planning your return before you’ve even left.
