The exclusive ski resorts of Lech and Zürs are located in the centre of the Arlberg ski area of Austria close to the German border, with Innsbruck to the east and Zürich to the west. The 'St Moritz of Austria' without the glitz, Lech shares its skiing area with Zürs, offering arguably the best skiing in Austria.
The atmospheric 14th century village of Lech lies widely scattered over grassy slopes cut by sharp ravines and presents a picture-postcard image set in a beautiful wooded valley, while elegant and sophisticated Zürs consists of 1.5 kilometres of typical white stucco Vorarlberger buildings with carved wood balconies.
Accommodation is available in every category, but always of the same high standard, and there are endless wellness facilities to ensure guests' comfort. Restaurants, open-air snow bars, indoor bars and dancing provide entertainment after a day on the slopes. The après-ski is lively, but tends to cater for the chic, older crowd, which thrives in Lech. There is a kids' school (ages 4 to 12) and a nursery available.
Lech caters for beginner skiers, but is more than capable of challenging advanced adventurers in its off-piste runs. All of its ski pistes, open slopes and ski routes are found between 1,450m and 2,800m. Cable cars, chairlifts and draglifts transport winter guests up to the breathtaking slopes. Boasting 83 cable cars and lifts, 120kms of off-piste runs and 180kms of groomed runs, skiers of all abilities are presented with plenty of variety.
The landscape is dotted with several villages featuring elagantly painted Tyrolean houses. One of the smaller villages and winter resorts, Stuben is near to Lech and can be reached by bus, but a more romantic way to arrive, however, is by horse-drawn sleigh. Stuben is not as picturesque as Zürs but costs more reasonable and it is in a good location. The many big sun terrace eateries in Oberlach make for a superb place to dine on a sunny day.
The ski season runs from late November or early December until late April, and the cheapest times are usually the week before December 19 and the last month of the season. The cheapest and most convenient way of getting to the resorts is to fly to Zürich with a budget carrier and take the Skibus to Lech/Zürs; buses run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
