Ski Resort Guide
Lech
Lech Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
One of the best known names in skiing, Lech has a long history as a snow holiday destination, as well as a reputation for being one of the world's most exclusive resorts.
Part of the large Arlberg ski area, it shares the region with equally famous St Anton. Both legitimately claim to be vitally important in the history of downhill skiing, being invented in the area little over a century ago by Hannes Schneider and then exported across the continent and to North America and Japan.
Today, Lech is one of the world's leading resorts with both exceptionally good skiing and excellent resort infrastructure with an unrivalled 60 plus 4-star hotels as well as seven 5-stars. These luxury hotels greatly out number the lesser starred hotels in the resort, underlying Lech's up-market nature.
But, if that's still not exclusive enough, the smaller neighbouring village of Zürs could be the answer; several of Europe's royal families return to holiday there year after year.
Part of the large Arlberg ski area, it shares the region with equally famous St Anton. Both legitimately claim to be vitally important in the history of downhill skiing, being invented in the area little over a century ago by Hannes Schneider and then exported across the continent and to North America and Japan.
Today, Lech is one of the world's leading resorts with both exceptionally good skiing and excellent resort infrastructure with an unrivalled 60 plus 4-star hotels as well as seven 5-stars. These luxury hotels greatly out number the lesser starred hotels in the resort, underlying Lech's up-market nature.
But, if that's still not exclusive enough, the smaller neighbouring village of Zürs could be the answer; several of Europe's royal families return to holiday there year after year.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,450m (4,757ft).
Top elevation: 2,811m (9,222ft).
Base elevation: 1,300m (4,265ft).
Number of lifts: 84.
Number of runs: 140.
Average annual snowfall: 2.5m (8.3ft).
Where in the world?
Lech is located in the Arlberg region of the Alps of northwest Austria, in the province of Vorarlberg close to the Swiss border.
Hit the slopes
The ski season typically begins in late November and lasts through to the first days of May, thanks to the area's altitude. At the very start and end of the season ‘Snow Crystal' weeks mean that lift passes are usually sold at half the regular rate.
The giant Arlberg ski area is one of the world's best known ski areas and is divided into two parts - the St Anton side and the Lech side, which are not connected by ski lift, although advanced skiers can ski between the two off piste with a guide. Another attraction for good skiers is the number of marked ski routes on the map. These are ungroomed trails offering skiing the way it used to be before piste bashers were invented and they make up about a third of the 280km (175 miles) of terrain on offer. There's more than 32km (20 miles) of black runs too, including the 4.7km (3 mile) long Langer Zug run number 37, arguably the resort's toughest.
Beginners and intermediates should not be put off as 90% of the terrain is graded blue (easy) or red (intermediate) - with a relatively even division of the two.
Beginners can also benefit from great nursery slopes and the century-old ski school's long-established reputation for excellence. Intermediates have trails up to 5.7km- (3.5 mile-) long and can follow the sunshine around the resort, as there are slopes facing in all directions of the compass.
The giant Arlberg ski area is one of the world's best known ski areas and is divided into two parts - the St Anton side and the Lech side, which are not connected by ski lift, although advanced skiers can ski between the two off piste with a guide. Another attraction for good skiers is the number of marked ski routes on the map. These are ungroomed trails offering skiing the way it used to be before piste bashers were invented and they make up about a third of the 280km (175 miles) of terrain on offer. There's more than 32km (20 miles) of black runs too, including the 4.7km (3 mile) long Langer Zug run number 37, arguably the resort's toughest.
Beginners and intermediates should not be put off as 90% of the terrain is graded blue (easy) or red (intermediate) - with a relatively even division of the two.
Beginners can also benefit from great nursery slopes and the century-old ski school's long-established reputation for excellence. Intermediates have trails up to 5.7km- (3.5 mile-) long and can follow the sunshine around the resort, as there are slopes facing in all directions of the compass.
Beyond the slopes
Given Lech's size and typically wealthy clientele it should be no surprise that there's lots to do here besides ski and board. As well as the resort's permanent attractions, many of them based in its individual hotels, it is also famous for its one-off events such as a boat show, the highest in Europe, organised by the resort's yacht club, which exists despite the lack of a nearby marina.
Popular off-slope activities available include sleigh rides, curling on the ice rink, helicopter flights and paragliding. There's a great floodlit toboggan run down from Oberlech. The resort also has three art galleries and a library.
Popular off-slope activities available include sleigh rides, curling on the ice rink, helicopter flights and paragliding. There's a great floodlit toboggan run down from Oberlech. The resort also has three art galleries and a library.
Family fun
Most of Lech's comfortable hotels have good facilities for families, usually including a swimming pool. The car-free oasis of Oberlech, reached by cable car, is a particularly good choice for families. The hotels here are linked underground by a tunnel system giving a very sophisticated feel to the whole mini-village as well as maintaining a peaceful atmosphere above ground, whereas Lech itself has a busy main road running through it. There is a Miniclub, with bases in Oberlech and in Lech, which both accept children from 18 months to five, at which point the ski school becomes available with special ski kindergarten classes.
Retail therapy
Lech has an excellent selection of about 40 shops, with wonderful emporiums and boutiques. Head to the Sporthouse Strolz, with its elegant staircase and incredible range of sporting goods, toys and similar items including all the world's very best brands. The jewellery equivalent is Huber's where you can browse the full range of Cartier, Rolex, Hermes and Gucci products.
Après ski
Lech has a reputation as a party town and once the ski lifts close, the resort's main street comes alive with the hotel's ground-level bars spilling out onto the pavements to attract skiers making their way back to their accommodation. During the colder months, many of the hotels create ice bars giving a particularly magical atmosphere. There's a wide choice of après ski spots to choose from but Tannbergerhof is eternally popular with an early evening tea dance giving way to a late night disco, one of six in the village.
Eating out
With 79 restaurants to choose from, you're unlikely to go hungry in Lech. There's dining for all tastes and all budgets, but as with the black runs on the mountain, Lech offers a wider range of gourmet standard establishments than most. One restaurant worthy of a mention is Hus Nr 8, Omesbergasse 8, which is located in a 300 year old building and serves Austrian delicacies and fondues. Up at Oberlech the Alter Goldener Berg restaurant is equally atmospheric and has clocked up two GaultMillau Chef's Hats for its superb cuisine.
Getting around
A free ski bus for lift pass holders links all the key points of the Arlberg ski area including skiing above St Anton. After 1930 in Lech a fleet of multiple occupancy taxi vehicles known as 'James' are available right through to 0400. They are a kind of combined bus/taxi service which takes you where you want to go but can pick up other visitors and then work out the best route for all.
Splashing out
The Arlberg is the only place in Austria where you can enjoy heliskiing and heliboarding, and it's hard to think of a better place in the Alps to try it. Helicopters take you to the slopes of the Mehlsack or the Schneetäli with descents taking approximately an hour and ending at the romantic Seitental Zug near Lech.
Accommodation
Luxury
The KristianiaOne of Lech's finest hotels, with an excellent ski butler and bath butler service.
Omesberg 331
Tel: (5583) 25610.
Website: www.kristiania.at
Moderate
Sporthotel Goldener BergExcellent 4-star hotel in Oberlech. Great facilities include the wonderful Alter Goldener Berg restaurant.
Oberlech
Tel: (5583) 2205.
Website: www.goldenerberg.at
Budget
Pension WalserhofSlopeside 2-star guest house of traditional design. Well placed for ski-in, ski-out access, no need for the ski bus.
Walserhof 48
Tel: (5583) 2925.
Website: www.walserhof-lech.at
Getting there
Nearest airports: Innsbruck (INN); Zurich (ZRH).
Distance to resorts: 110km (69 miles); 300km (187 miles).
Driving times: 1 hours 30 minutes; 2 hours 30 minutes.
Distance to resorts: 110km (69 miles); 300km (187 miles).
Driving times: 1 hours 30 minutes; 2 hours 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Experts, Snowboarders, Intermediates, Après ski, Beginners, Non-skiers, Snow reliability
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