INSIDE EDGE

For the Skiing on 4 team the inclusion of St. Anton in the FIS world cup calendar brought a smile to everyone's faces and an opportunity to revisit this resort since its last major ski competition, the 2001 World Championships.

Being one of winter sports big hitters simply means that St. Anton has the lot!! Over 160 miles of groomed pistes and a further 114 miles of off piste, fantastic snow making, 82 mountain railways, some of the best après ski you are ever likely to find and a brilliant ski kindergarten for kids from two and a half years upwards.

The ski racing origins of St. Anton are linked to Alberg Kandaher and Sir Arnold Lunn, who were the early mavericks of Alpine ski racing back in the 1920's, with help from Hannesh Scheider, Sir Lunn's Austrian counterpart.

Believe it or not the Brits invented ski racing in Switzerland in the early 1900's, introduced it to the Austrians in the late 1920s. We even created the first world ski racing championships in Murren, Switzerland in 1931. The sheer magnitude of the St. Anton World Championships 70 years later was a fitting tribute to those early pioneers of skiing.

For the Skiing on 4 team a weekend in St Anton with our racing veteran Konrad Bartelski is always a great chance to pit Konrad's tastes against mine. It is also a pleasant reminder that wherever Mr Bartelski skis he is still recognised as one of the world's former greats.

The hotels range from 5* down to 1* and of course the classic Austrian B & B and the apartment rental offer fantastic value for money. No matter where you stay, eat or drink in this resort the people remain friendly and dedicated to quality tourism. Their patience tested to the full with the often over exuberant (drunken) celebrations of the ski race fans!! There were over 25,000 people for the weekend in St. Anton.

The celebrations for this particular race where top notch, going on late into the night as the 10th down hill of the season proved to be an Austrian classic. Two of the biggest names in the sport battled it out for supremacy alongside two of Austria's rising stars making it an Austrian 1 to 4 clean sweep. The Herminator confirmed his return to form after his horrific motor cycle accident in 2001 just pipping Stefan Eberharter, by just over 3 tenths of a second in runner up position.

Putting these two guys on the podium in a home Austrian race is guaranteed to quadruple beer sales, fill the bars and turn St. Anton into a den of celebrating ski race fans. As we said earlier add to the mix third position for Yohan Grugger and fourth position Klaus Krolle tipped by many as the new Franz Klammer from Austria and the après ski carnage cannot be avoided!

Apres ski is possibly the best in the world. The Krazy Kangaroo, the Piccadilly and Bar 33 are my favorites. The Piccadilly is a place that I can often be found singing Don McLean's American Pie far too loudly with Gunner, one of the best bar entertainers in the business. In complete contrast you will be able to find Konrad Bartelski in Ben Venuto or the Museum, two luxurious restaurants offering classic Austrian cuisine.

On the subject of cuisine in St. Anton my favourite mountain restaurant in the world can be found on the route to Lech. The Hopspitz Almn offers the best wine cellar in the Alps, a menu not too dissimilar to the Ivy and a slide from the restaurant to the loo's which makes for unique dining experience. I have had memorable lunches here with my kids, hung-over with friends and celebrated Franz Klammer's birthday and every occasion was perfect.

Back to the racing...Sundays race in St. Anton saw Body Miller win his first slalom of the tour and for the first time we clearly see how the American is not only threatening the Austrian dominance in ski racing but he is also developing a massive young fan base in countries like Austria, as he is definitely the coolest as well as fastest man on the tour.

Alain Baxter hosted the 2nd fastest rui on the 2nd leg clearly stating that his ski racing career is far from over and showing that it is only a matter of time before the British No.1 climbs on to the podium, he finished in a credible 12th position.

To conclude I think that St. Anton has a magic mix of high quality and friendly service, it is a 5* resort without being snobby and a ski area that has capitalised on its size by offering something for everyone. I would suggest spending that little bit extra and book yourself a mountain guide, private lesson and a special lunch and I guarantee you too will fall in love with this ski area again and again.

I first skied St. Anton in 1987 and I am still as excited about the resort as I was 17 years ago. My advice is to stop reading this article and book it right now before the season ends!!

Nick Fellows