A famous plastic surgeon smiles from a poster above the entrance to the chairlift. A little further on, sparkling jewelry adorns a photo on the wall. Elsewhere, lift stations advertise helmets, warm underwear, or Alpine lemonade—but not in Lech-Zürs.
The famous winter sports resort on the Arlberg is a sophisticated place. Chic fashion and sports boutiques, modern concept stores, jewelers, restaurants, bars, and hotels line the heart of Lech, through which the river of the same name winds its way. Towering above it all is the onion dome of the parish church and, of course, the glistening white Omeshorn, the king of peaks at 2,557 meters.
The small town is picturesque, and the Arlberg ski area, with around 300 kilometers of slopes, is the largest contiguous ski area in Austria and is also considered the cradle of alpine skiing. The legendary Arlberg Ski Club was founded in 1901 and now has well over 9,000 members from all over the world.
Skiing in Lech-Zürs is a pleasure. Whether you take the Schlosskopf or Schlegelkopfbahn cable car towards Oberlech or the Rüfikopfbahn on the other side of the river, you will find mostly wide, not too difficult, sunny slopes leading through the picturesque mountain world. The lifts are usually in operation from the beginning of December to the end of April, and we hope that the weather gods will bless the valley with extra snow and sunshine right at the start of the season so that the skiing fun can begin. 

This is because it offers a ski safari that is surpassed in length and summit scenery only by South Tyrol's “Sella Ronda.” The “White Ring” is an approximately 22-kilometer-long ski circuit that connects Lech with Zürs, Zug, and Oberlech. In a leisurely half-day, ski enthusiasts can cover 5,500 meters of altitude on easy to moderately difficult slopes – a wonderful sightseeing tour in snow and ice with magnificent panoramic views. Sporty types can also race around the circuit: the “White Ring” race takes place every January with around 1,000 participants.
Another attraction is the “Run of Fame” – the longest circular tour in the Alps. The 85-kilometer safari route connects the towns of St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, and Warth-Schröcken and is reminiscent of the skiing pioneers of yesteryear. Athletic skiers carve their way down the “Run of Fame” in a day on mostly blue slopes. Leisure skiers plan more time.

Don't miss: the Zürser Täli. The 4.2-kilometer descent from Muggengrat into the valley is simply a dream and can also be booked as a “first track” with a mountain breakfast. The start has a challenging incline and leads through a high alpine backdrop with mighty rock formations. At the end, you let your skis “run” and finish on a gentle slope in Zürs. On the other hand, even experienced skiers get ‘weak’ knees at the start of the “Langer Zug.” The icy gully in front of the skiers is one of the steepest descents in the world, with an 80 percent gradient in the upper third. Skiing mistakes can end badly here. Those who have enough skill and can control their heart rate will be rewarded with a breathtaking ski kick. The access to the “Langer Zug” starts at the Rüfikopf restaurant via Route 181. Here, you branch off towards the Schafalp lift and arrive at the start. Once you arrive, take a deep breath, admire the magnificent panorama of the surrounding peaks, and then dive into the “dark black cannon barrel.”

For a break or an evening in a mountain hut, you can meet the insiders of the ski resort at the Tritt- or Rud-Alpe, at the Flexenhäusl for fondue, and of course for après-ski in the heart of Lech: Casanova sandwiches, Sylter Royal oysters, and champagne are served every minute at the ice bar of the Hotel Krone, accompanied by party music. The crowd: guests from the DACH region who have been loyal to the resort for generations, as well as ski fans from Brazil to the USA and even a few celebrities. The Dutch royal family has been associated with Lech for decades, and Queen Maxima and her mother-in-law Beatrix are seen in the resort every February. Those looking for a special experience with a touch of glamour can book a trip from Zug to Balmalp in the champagne gondola: with sparkling delights, snacks, and mountain views, you float up to the heights – a treat that, at a minimum of 198 euros, is not cheap.