# December in St. Anton am Arlberg: The start of the season, Advent, and peaceful days There’s a time of year in the Arlberg that we particularly love, yet hardly anyone seems to be aware of it: the weeks between the start of the season and Christmas. The snow is fresh, the slopes are empty, and the village is quiet. And in the evenings, the park smells of punch. There’s a time of year in Arlberg that we particularly love, yet hardly anyone seems to be aware of it: the weeks between the start of the season and Christmas. The snow is fresh, the slopes are empty, and the village is quiet. And in the evenings, the park smells of punch. ## When Winter Begins The ski resort opens for business on **Wednesday, December 2, 2026**. The following weekend, from **December 4 through December 6**, St. Anton am Arlberg will celebrate the official start of the season with the **Stanton Ski Open**: free ski and snowboard testing, live music on three stages, food trucks, plus the Arlberg Safety Camp and an avalanche update presentation. Admission is free. We’ll kick things off on **Sunday, December 6**. By then, the biggest festival crowds will have passed, the slopes will be open, and the mountain will once again belong to those who came to ski. We’re located about 100 m from the Nassereinbahn; from there, you can head straight to the Gampen and on to the entire [Arlberg ski area](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg/winterskiing/). ## Why We Love the Weeks Leading Up to Christmas What makes early December so special? The space. On the slopes, in the restaurants, in the gondola. You hit the slopes in the morning and often have the whole slope to yourself. After Christmas, it’s different—that’s peak season, and it has its own charm. But it just doesn’t have that same tranquility. Plus, during [Advent](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/advent-magic-st-anton/), our prices are lower than they are after Christmas. If you’re flexible, you can get the same apartments here under more relaxed conditions. ## Advent Magic in the Park: Dates for 2026 Advent Magic will take place on five evenings in the park near the Museum St. Anton am Arlberg: - Sunday, November 29, 2026 - Sunday, December 6, 2026 - Sunday, December 13, 2026 - Saturday, December 19, 2026 - Sunday, December 20, 2026 Starting at 5 p.m. each day. December 6 is therefore a special day: the last Ski Open day, Advent magic in the evening, and our season kicks off. This isn’t a big Christmas market—it’s quite the opposite: a storytelling hut, a Christmas bakery, a petting zoo, elves, and angels among the trees. What does Grandma Ela like best there? The big live Christmas tree that you can see from far away. And the Kiachln with lingonberries. Convenient: Starting at 3 p.m., you can park for free at the old Rendlbahn valley station. But it’s only a few minutes’ walk from us anyway. - [Advent Magic in St. Anton am Arlberg](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/advent-magic-st-anton/) ## And after that: sauna That’s the part where December works especially well for us. After a cold day on the mountain, you head back to your own apartment, turn on the sauna, and no one’s waiting—no one has a curfew. You decide when. ## Good to Know - Ski resort opens Wednesday, December 2, 2026. - Stanton Ski Open from December 4–6; free admission. - Here at Omaela, the festivities kick off on Sunday, December 6. - Advent Magic in the park by the museum: November 29, December 6, December 13, December 19, and December 20, 2026. - During Advent, our rates are lower than they are starting at Christmas. - It’s about 100 m to the Nassereinbahn for skiing. If you’d like to experience the Arlberg when it’s not at its busiest, these are the weeks for you. Just get in touch—we’d be happy to let you know which days are still available. Lisa and Martin ## Maybe you also like these Omaela Stories - [Skiing in February, March & April in St. Anton am Arlberg](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/skiing-february-march-april-st-anton-arlberg/) - [10 Winter Highlights in St. Anton am Arlberg](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/10-winter-highlights-st-anton-arlberg/) - [Cross-country skiing in the Verwall](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/cross-country-skiing-verwall/) - [Restaurant tips for winter](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/restaurant-tips-winter/) - [Lunch in St. Anton am Arlberg: Omaela's tips](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/lunch-skiingarea-tips/) - [Advent magic in St. Anton am Arlberg](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/advent-magic-st-anton/) - [The Dance Café Arlberg Festival 2025](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/dancecafe-arlberg-2025/) - [Sledding Evening in St. Anton](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/sledding-tobogganing-stanton-arlberg/) - [All Omaela Stories](https://www.omaela.com/en/arlberg-stories/)