The highest point in St. Anton - 4-country views from a 4-person cable car

At 2,811 meters, the Valluga is the "Roof of the Arlberg" - the highest point accessible from St. Anton. The journey requires three cable cars: the modern Galzigbahn, the Vallugabahn I, and finally the tiny Vallugabahn II from 1955 that carries just 4 people. From the summit platform, views extend across four countries: Austria, Germany (Zugspitze visible), Switzerland, and Italy. To SKI down, you need a registered mountain guide.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Ride the Three-Cable-Car Staircase to 2,811 Meters Adventure · Price: moderate

   To reach the Valluga summit you take three cable cars in sequence: a modern gondola, an aerial tramway, and finally the Vallugabahn II — built in 1955 and still running, with six-person cabins that make the last 161 vertical meters feel like a private elevator to the sky.

   The Vallugabahn II was built in 1955 as Austria's HIGHEST cable car when it opened, using two small blue cabins that carry exactly 6 people per trip in a 2-minute ride up 161 vertical meters to 2,811m. The three-lift sequence starts at Galzigbahn station in St. Anton village: Galzigbahn (1,304m → 2,091m) → Vallugabahn I (→ 2,648m) → Vallugabahn II (→ 2,811m summit). At busy periods expect 30–60 minutes waiting at Vallugabahn II's lower station where you may share the 6-person cabin with strangers for compressed 2 minutes before the views open. Go at 9am when lifts open to minimize queues — pedestrian tickets (non-skiers) available at Arlberg Bergbahnen ticket office.

   Backup: If Vallugabahn II is closed for high winds, the Vallugabahn I upper station at 2,648m has a restaurant and already excellent views.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Stand on the Border of Two Austrian States and Count Four Countries Adventure · Free

   The Valluga summit platform sits exactly on the line between Tyrol and Vorarlberg — two Austrian states. Face one direction and you're in Tyrol. Turn 180 degrees and you're in Vorarlberg. Look further and count four countries.

   On clear days the circular platform reveals four countries: Austria (Arlberg massif below), Germany (Zugspitze visible north at 2,962m), Switzerland (Graubünden peaks west), and Italy (South Tyrol ranges south). Lake Constance appears as blue sliver 130km northwest, and the summit sits right on the Tyrol/Vorarlberg state border — you can stand with one foot in each state. Exit the Vallugabahn II cabin at 2,811m and walk the complete circuit of the platform (2 minutes full circuit). Use pictorial peak identification panels on the railing, ask a local to point out unmistakable Zugspitze, and wait out any clouds — alpine weather at 2,811m changes in minutes.

   Backup: If clouds are at summit level, the restaurant/shelter cabin at Vallugabahn I top (2,648m) is below cloud layer on most partly-cloudy days with exceptional Arlberg panoramas.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Ask What It Takes to Ski Down (Guides Only, No Exceptions) History · Free · Optional

   Sightseers can visit the platform. Skiers can see the runs dropping away below. But to actually ski down, Austrian law requires a registered IFMGA mountain guide — making this one of the only summits in the Alps where skiing without a professional escort is literally illegal.

   To ski the Valluga descent you must hire an IFMGA-certified mountain guide — this is Austrian law, no exceptions, no workarounds, because the terrain is genuinely serious. The West route (half-day, maximum 4 skiers, Level 3 ability required) drops through unpatrolled terrain toward Stuben, while the North face is for experts with ice axes. At the summit platform or Vallugabahn II lower station where guides typically meet clients, ask any guide or lift operator why this rule exists. Contact Piste to Powder (pistetopowder.com, +43 664 1746282) at least 24 hours ahead, tell them your ability level and that you want the Valluga descent — they'll assess if you qualify with guide costs extra beyond lift pass, groups max 4.

   Backup: If guided skiing isn't for you, ask a guide lingering near Vallugabahn II station to describe the route down — listening to a professional explain what makes it serious and why the rule exists is free education.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• The final cable car (Vallugabahn II) only takes 4 people - expect queues

• Clear days show Lake Constance to Zugspitze - check conditions before committing

• To ski from the summit, you MUST have a registered mountain guide