St. Anton am Arlberg: The Alpine Gem of Austria

• HelloHallo
  [ha-lo]
• GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen
  [owf vee-der-zay-en]
• YesJa
  [yah]
• NoNein
  [nine]
• Please/You're welcomeBitte
  [bi-te]
• Thank youDanke
  [dahn-kuh]
• Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung
  [ent-shool-di-goong]
• How are you?Wie geht es Ihnen?
  [vee geht es ee-nen]
• Fine. And you?Gut. Und Ihnen?
  [goot oond ee-nen]
• Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?
  [shpre-khen zee eng-lish]
• I don't understandIch verstehe nicht
  [ikh fer-shtay-e nikht]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch würde gerne die Speisekarte sehen, bitte
  [ikh vur-de ge-ren dee shpy-ze-kar-te zay-en, bi-te]
• I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch
  [ikh es-se kine fli-sh]
• Cheers!Prost!
  [prohst]
• I would like to pay, pleaseIch würde gerne bezahlen, bitte
  [ikh vur-de ge-ren be-tsah-len, bi-te]

• Help!Hilfe!
  [hil-fe]
• Go away!Geh weg!
  [ge vekh]
• Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei!
  [roo-fen zee dee po-lee-tsay]
• Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt!
  [roo-fen zee i-nen ahr-ts]
• I'm lostIch habe mich verlaufen
  [ikh hah-be mikh fer-lou-fen]
• I'm illIch bin krank
  [ikh been krunk]

• I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen
  [ikh merkhte ... kow-fen]
• I'm just lookingIch schaue nur
  [ikh shou-e noor]
• How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?
  [vee feel kos-tet es]
• That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer
  [dahs ist tsoo toy-er]
• Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?
  [ku-nen zee den prees zen-ken]

• What time is it?Wie spät ist es?
  [vee shpet ist es]
• It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr
  [es ist ien oor]
• Half past (10)Halb zehn
  [halb tsayn]
• MorningMorgen
  [mohr-ghen]
• AfternoonNachmittag
  [nah-kh-mit-tahg]
• EveningAbend
  [ah-bent]
• YesterdayGestern
  [gehs-tern]
• TodayHeute
  [hoi-tuh]
• TomorrowMorgen
  [mohr-ghen]
• 1Eins
  [i-ns]
• 2Zwei
  [tsvai]
• 3Drei
  [dry]
• 4Vier
  [feer]
• 5Fünf
  [fuhnf]
• 6Sechs
  [zeks]
• 7Sieben
  [zee-ben]
• 8Acht
  [ahkht]
• 9Neun
  [noyn]
• 10Zehn
  [tsayn]

• Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?
  [vo ist ien/der]
• What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?
  [vas ist dee ah-dre-suh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?
  [ku-nen zee meer (owf der kar-te) tsay-gen]
• When's the next (bus)?Wann ist der nächste (Bus)?
  [van ist der nekhs-te (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ...)
  [i-ne fahr-kar-te (nakh)]

St. Anton am Arlberg's history dates back to the early Middle Ages. Originally mentioned as 'Arleberg' in the 13th century, it was a modest farming community. Its location on the Arlberg Pass made it a strategic point for traders and travelers crossing the Alps.

The construction of the Arlberg Railway between 1880 and 1884 was a pivotal event in the history of St. Anton am Arlberg. The railway connected the village to the broader Austrian rail network, facilitating easier access and laying the groundwork for its future as a major ski destination.

St. Anton am Arlberg is often considered the cradle of Alpine skiing. Hannes Schneider, a local ski instructor born in 1890, developed the Arlberg technique, which became a standard in ski instruction worldwide. In 1921, he founded the first ski school in St. Anton, establishing the town's reputation as a premier ski resort.

First held in 1928, the Arlberg-Kandahar Race is one of the oldest and most prestigious ski races in the world. It was initiated by Sir Arnold Lunn and Hannes Schneider, and has since become a cornerstone event in the Alpine skiing calendar, attracting international competitors and spectators alike.

During World War II, St. Anton am Arlberg was occupied by German forces and saw limited military action. Post-war, the village rapidly rebuilt and expanded its ski infrastructure, benefitting from the European economic boom. The 1950s and 60s saw a surge in tourism, solidifying its status as a global ski destination.

In recent decades, St. Anton am Arlberg has continued to evolve, blending traditional Alpine charm with modern amenities. The opening of the Arlberg Tunnel in 1978 improved accessibility, and the village has hosted numerous international ski events, including the 2001 Alpine World Ski Championships. Today, it remains a vibrant hub for winter sports enthusiasts from around the world.

St. Anton am Arlberg is easily accessible from various parts of Europe. The nearest major airport is Innsbruck Airport, approximately 100 kilometers away. From the airport, you can take a train or a shuttle service to St. Anton. Alternatively, Zurich Airport in Switzerland is about 200 kilometers away and offers additional international connections. Direct trains from Zurich to St. Anton are frequent and take around 2.5 hours. If you prefer driving, the town is well-connected by road and is accessible via the A12 motorway.

St. Anton am Arlberg is a small town, and most attractions are within walking distance. For longer journeys, local buses and taxis are available. The town also has a train station, making it convenient to explore nearby areas. If you plan to ski, the Arlberg Ski Pass covers access to all ski lifts and buses within the region. Renting a car is an option, but parking can be limited during peak seasons.

The official currency in Austria is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and services. ATMs are readily available throughout St. Anton am Arlberg for cash withdrawals.

St. Anton am Arlberg is generally a safe destination for tourists. There are no specific areas with high crime rates targeting tourists, but it is always good to remain vigilant. Avoid leaving your belongings unattended and be cautious in crowded places. Emergency numbers are 112 for general emergencies and 133 for the police.

In case of an emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. St. Anton has a medical clinic, and nearby hospitals are in Landeck and Innsbruck. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and accidents, especially if you plan to participate in winter sports. Pharmacies are available in the town for minor health issues and over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress warmly and in layers during the winter season. Ski attire is common and accepted in most places. Avoid overly casual clothing like beachwear in public areas. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. While there are no significant religious restrictions, it is polite to be respectful in places of worship. Public Transport: Do purchase tickets in advance and validate them before boarding. Don't eat or drink on public transportation. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Grüß Gott' or 'Hallo'. Handshakes are common for formal introductions. Eating & Drinking: Do try local dishes such as Tiroler Gröstl and Apfelstrudel. Don't forget to tip, as service charges are not always included in the bill.

To experience St. Anton am Arlberg like a local, visit the local markets and bakeries for fresh produce and traditional Austrian pastries. Engage with locals at the après-ski bars and enjoy live music and dancing. Don't miss out on the weekly farmers' market for unique souvenirs and regional delicacies. For a scenic experience, take the Galzigbahn cable car for breathtaking views of the Alps.