UKC

Thinking about going to the St Anton area at easter in the van for a mix of lift accessed off piste and touring.

Anyone got any recommendations on routes, books, where to park a van and where to get a shower?

Cheers

In reply to DaveHK:

Naebody?

In reply to DaveHK:

We were there about that time and parking is very restricted, and certainly everything is orientated towards the rich ski tourist. Not the best place to be van dossing IMHO.

In reply to Adam Lincoln:

Interesting, I wonder about some of the other villages in the area?

In reply to Adam Lincoln:

Au contraire - St Anton has the very best facility for vanning - solves the hot shower question too.

See: http://www.camping-arlberg.at/en/camping.html

In reply to DaveHK:


The Andy Thurner book seems to be the best English language guide book for the Arlberg (though I suspect there might be others in German?).
I only have the "freeride" book but there is also a "ski touring" one.
You need to drop him an email to order a copy.

http://www.outdoor-adventures.at/engl.buch.html

St Anton is a big ski town and generally busy. We stayed over in Stuben for a week - which perhaps has the best skiing : but not much else going on. Great part of the alps with long ski heritage - would love to go back.

In reply to DaveHK:
Not been in a van, but have been many times.

Haggis Trap is correct about the Thurner books, both of which are good.

Nearby valleys have lots of options - the valley (forgotten name) near Lech, which has Warth & Schroecken resorts, has some great touring (I have a german language magazine supplement which has various day tours, PM if you want a scan). Also, you're not far from Silvretta - maybe 90minutes drive from St A to Ischgl which has some good touring & lift-assisted fun. If the weather closes in around Arlberg, then there's loads of lower altitude day tours around the Innsbruck area which again is not far on the autobahn.

Landeck could be a good option for van camping if St A is poor. And Landeck means you're closer to other options such as Ischgl and further down the Inntal.

The Rother skitourenfuhrer books are also useful: http://www.rother.de/index_k_avf.htm All in German, but useful maps and summaries which should be OK even if you don't speak much of the language.

have a great trip. I'm a huge fan of that area of the Alps. if you're lucky with the powder, you'll be smiling for months

Rod

In reply to DaveHK:

Cheers folks.

Rather than a fancy dan campsite I was thinking about a car park and sneaking into the swimming pool for a shower...

In reply to DaveHK: I like your thinking!