Valluga – an outstanding adventurous off piste run in St. Anton
Valluga Off Piste Skiing in St. Anton
Ready for the next adventure?
Iconic descents, endless alternatives, and expert local guidance
Looking for the ultimate off piste adventure in St. Anton am Arlberg? Valluga is one of the most legendary freeride experiences in the Alps, but it is only one highlight in a vast playground of steep faces, powder bowls, and hidden valleys. With so much terrain available, your guide will always choose the best option for the group and the conditions on the day.
Valluga North and Valluga West
The classic Valluga North sits high on the bucket list of most off piste skiers visiting St. Anton. It is famous, committing, and unforgettable. However, the lesser known Valluga West is very adventurous and scenic too, with sometimes fewer tracks and excellent snow quality long.
If conditions are not suitable for Valluga, there is no disappointment. However, the Arlberg offers an incredible variety of alternatives that can be even better, especially when Valluga is busy. Your guide will always adapt the plan and lead you to the best possible runs based on snow stability, weather, and group ability.
Reaching the summit
Access begins with the spectacular Valluga I gondola, which takes you up to the Vallugagrat at 2,650 meters. From there, accompanied by a certified guide, you step into the historic Valluga II cable car, a small cabin that climbs steeply to the observation deck at 2,811 meters. The views from the top are among the most dramatic in the Alps.
The descent options
After a short traverse across an exposed no fall zone, Valluga opens into a wide bowl leading toward the stunning Pazieltal valley and down toward Zürs. This line offers a long, flowing powder descent in an impressive alpine setting.
For strong skiers, a steep option begins with a secured down climb over an exposed ridge, followed by a narrow couloir. After the first controlled turns, the terrain opens into an almost endless descent of around 900 vertical meters, with pitches reaching up to 45 degrees. It is a true big mountain experience.
Safety, ability, and flexibility
Valluga is a serious off piste objective and always guided. It is suitable only for confident skiers who are comfortable with steep terrain, exposure, and traversing no fall sections. All routse includes very exposed terrain and no fall zones.
The day always starts with a safety briefing and a warm up run. This allows your guide to assess the group and confirm that Valluga is the right choice. If not, there are countless high quality alternatives available across the Arlberg.
Valluga requirements
To ski Valluga you need:
- Stable snow conditions with low avalanche risk, ideally level 1 to 2
- Strong Level 3 off piste skiing ability, assessed by your guide
- A small group of four skiers or snowboarders maximum
- A private guide for the day
With expert local knowledge and flexible planning, Valluga becomes more than just one run. It is part of a full day of world class freeride skiing, where the best lines are chosen for the conditions and the group, ensuring a safe, memorable, and truly adventurous experience. Conditions must be suitable. If snow stability, weather, or group ability are not ideal, the Arlberg’s vast terrain offers an exceptional range of alternative off piste runs, often equal to or better than Valluga on the day. With so much choice available, your guide will always select the best and safest option for the prevailing conditions and the group.
Here you’ll find a great story about skiing Valluga North with Graham Bell.
