Sankt Anton im Montafon is a small alpine village (approximately 650 meters above sea level) nestled right at the entrance of the Montafon valley, positioned perfectly between the Rätikon range and the Verwall group. With a population of just over 700 residents, this quiet village offers an authentic Austrian mountain experience without the crowds of larger resorts.

Why Base Yourself Here

Fast Access, No Stress: The Montafonerbahn local railway connects Bludenz to Schruns with a convenient stop right in Sankt Anton. Trains run at least hourly, often every 30 minutes, making car-free travel throughout the valley simple and stress-free. The entire journey from Schruns to Bludenz takes just 19 minutes.

Adventure Radius: Within 10–20 minutes you can reach Golm mountain in Vandans, Latschau, or Tschagguns for cable car access to hiking trails, the famous Alpine Coaster, Waldrutschenpark (forest slide park), and year-round outdoor activities. The Silvretta Montafon ski region is easily accessible from nearby Schruns.

Less Crowds, Local Vibe: Sankt Anton maintains its farming traditions, including the Gavadura organic farm, and offers a growing network of family-friendly activities without the noise and bustle of big resort towns. It is the perfect base for exploring the entire Montafon valley while enjoying genuine alpine village life.

The Montafon Valley

The Montafon is a 39-kilometer-long valley in Vorarlberg, Austria, bounded to the north by the Verwall mountain group and to the south by the Rätikon and Silvretta ranges. The valley is famous for its dramatic U-shaped geography carved by ancient glaciers, creating spectacular mountain vistas in every direction.

The region is renowned for world-class hiking, via ferratas, paragliding sites, and winter sports. The highest peak in the region is the 3,312-meter Piz Buin in the Silvretta group on the Swiss-Austrian border.

Year-Round Destination: While winter draws skiers to the Silvretta Montafon ski area, summer and autumn offer exceptional hiking, climbing, paragliding, and mountain biking. The valley's excellent public transport infrastructure makes it easy to explore car-free, reducing costs and environmental impact while maximizing your time in the mountains.

The Montafon valley offers world-class paragliding with stunning alpine scenery, reliable thermals, and well-maintained launch and landing sites managed by the Gleitschirmclub Montafon.

Launch Sites

Golm (Summer Site): Accessible via the Golmerbahn cable car, this meadow launch site offers excellent morning thermals and spectacular views over the valley. Club guidance notes that from the top cable car station, pilots should trend toward Schruns to reach the landing zone safely.

Hochjoch (Silvretta Montafon): At approximately 2,290 meters elevation, the Hochjoch launch site faces southwest to northwest and is popular for cross-country (XC) flying when conditions permit. Used in both summer and winter, this high-altitude site requires careful weather assessment.

Important Flying Considerations

Valley Wind: The Montafon's U-shaped valley often develops strong upslope winds by mid-afternoon in summer. Plan morning flights and maintain generous landing zone margins. Local pilots stress this timing in their guidance materials.

Föhn Awareness: Watch the north-south pressure gradient closely. A pressure difference of approximately 4 hPa or greater can trigger Föhn conditions in Vorarlberg. If Föhn is forecast or suspected, do not fly under any circumstances. Even when the valley appears calm, Föhn can create dangerous conditions aloft.

Landing Zones & Fees

The Gleitschirmclub Montafon maintains designated landing zones throughout the valley. Guest pilots are asked to pay a small start and landing fee (typically around €5 per day, with annual passes available) at participating lift ticket offices. Always use marked landing zones only and follow club guidance regarding wildlife protection and landing procedures.

Tandem Paragliding

Several state-certified tandem operators offer year-round tandem flights in the Montafon, launching from Golm and Hochjoch depending on conditions. Tandem flights are an excellent way to experience the thrill of alpine paragliding with an experienced pilot.

Looking for tandem flights in nearby regions? Check out tandem paragliding in the Allgäu, where smooth morning thermals and castle views provide a different but equally spectacular flying experience.

Local Resources & Compliance

Gleitschirmclub Montafon: Always respect GSC Montafon flight rules, pay the required day or annual fees, and use only marked landing zones. The club website provides current site information, weather links, and important notices.

Weather Tools: Monitor local wind readouts (such as Versettla and Landeplatz Schruns stations) and mountain forecasts for daily go/no-go decisions. Pressure difference tools help predict Föhn conditions.

Aviation Regulations: Sites operate under local club and landowner arrangements. For aviation matters beyond club scope, consult Austro Control resources and follow all Austrian aviation guidance.

By Train - The Easy, Car-Free Option

Montafonerbahn (S4): Sankt Anton im Montafon sits on the Montafonerbahn local railway line that runs between Bludenz and Schruns. This is the easiest and most convenient way to reach the village and explore the entire valley without a car.

Service Frequency: Trains run at least hourly throughout the day, with services every 30 minutes during peak times. The complete journey from Schruns to Bludenz takes approximately 19 minutes, with Sankt Anton roughly in the middle.

Connections: At Bludenz, connect to ÖBB mainline trains serving Innsbruck, Zürich, Munich, and Vienna. The Montafonerbahn is integrated into the Vorarlberg regional transport network (vmobil), making ticketing simple.

Station Location: The Sankt Anton im Montafon station is centrally located in the village, with the Waterfall Via Ferrata approach and village amenities within easy walking distance.

Why Go Car-Free?

• Cost Savings: No parking fees, fuel costs, or rental car expenses
• Flexibility: Frequent service means you are not tied to fixed schedules
• Stress-Free: No navigating mountain roads or searching for parking
• Environmental: Significantly lower carbon footprint than driving
• Enjoy the Views: Relax and take in the spectacular valley scenery

By Car

If you prefer to drive, Sankt Anton im Montafon is easily accessible via the A14 Autobahn and L188 valley road:

• From Bludenz: Take the L188 into the Montafon valley, approximately 10 minutes
• From Innsbruck: Via Arlberg Pass or Arlberg Tunnel (toll), approximately 1.5 hours
• From Zürich: Via A13 and A14, approximately 2 hours

The village has public parking available, though spaces can be limited during peak seasons.

Getting to Activities

Golm Mountain: The Golmerbahn cable car has stations in Vandans, Latschau, and Tschagguns, all easily accessible by Montafonerbahn train from Sankt Anton. The Vandans station is just one stop away.

Silvretta Montafon: Take the train to Schruns (approximately 5 minutes) to access the Silvretta Montafon ski area and summer hiking region.

Via Ferrata: The Waterfall Via Ferrata trailhead is a short walk directly from Sankt Anton village center and railway station.

Guest Cards & Discounts

Many accommodations in the Montafon provide guest cards that offer discounts or free travel on the Montafonerbahn and local buses, as well as reduced rates for cable cars and activities. Ask your accommodation about available guest benefits.