Travel to Lech-Zurs with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Ski resorts in Lech-Zurs

Offering arguably the best skiing in Austria, the resorts of Lech and Zurs are situated in the Arlberg ski area near to the German border, with Zurich to the west and Innsbruck to the east. The ski area is shared between Lech and Zurs and is commonly known as the ‘St Moritz of Austria’, but without the glitz and glamour.

Zurs is an elegant and sophisticated resort set over 1.5kms and dominated by the typical white stucco Vorarlberger buildings, featuring carved wooden balconies. In contrast, Lech is a 14th century village spread over a wide picture-postcard area of grassy slopes punctured by sharp ravines and set in a beautifully wooded valley.

One hundred eighty kilometres of groomed slopes cater mainly for lower level skiers, however, there are 120kms of off-piste runs offering advanced adventurers more of a challenge.

The open slopes, runs and routes are all situated between 1,450m and 2,800m. Eighty-three cable cars, chairlifts and draglifts usher skiers of all abilities over the beautiful slopes at the resort, which has plenty of variety for the beginner to the advanced skier.

Lech caters to the lower level skier but offers challenges to the advanced adventurer in off-piste runs. The ski pistes, ski routes and open slopes are spread between 1,450m and 2,800m above sea level. Cable cars, chairlifts and drag lifts transporting winter guests to the most beautiful slopes for skiers of all abilities. With 83 cable cars and lifts, 180kms of groomed runs, and 120kms of off-piste runs, there is plenty of variety for every skier.

Skiing in Lech-Zurs

In the heart of Austria’s Arlberg ski area lies Lech, one of the most exclusive resorts in the country. Partnered with the resort of Zurs, the area caters for a high society crowd on their winter break. The area is surrounded by well groomed slopes and wonderful scenery.

There are 180kms of pistes over 55 runs at the resort of Lech and Zurs, with the longest run being five kilometres. These cater for all levels with beginners getting 27 per cent of slopes, intermediates 49 per cent, and advanced skiers 24 per cent. Around 44,600 skiers per hour are transported by 83 lifts and four gondolas.

Two cross-country trails measuring 15kms and 4kms are available; while 120kms of off-piste runs, plus a Fun Park for snowboarders completes the setup.One of the fur coat and poodle resorts, Lech, at the centre of the Arlberg Sski area, is one of the most exclusive ski venues in Austria. Along with its neighbour, Zürs, this is where high society goes for a winter break in beautiful surroundings on well- groomed slopes.

Both Lech (1,450m) and Zürs (1,720m) are host to a collection of extremely expensive hotels, shops and top-rated eateries. Tourists far outnumber dwarf the year- round population of Lech, which is only 1,000, and Zürs, just 100. There are over 8,000 beds in all, ranging from five-star to two-star as well as private accommodations.

Lech/Zürs has a total of 55 runs encompassing 180kms of pistes with a longest section of 5kmsfive kilometres. Beginners have 27 per cent of the slopes, ; 49 per cent foris intermediate,; and 24 per cent foris advanced.

Apres-ski in Lech-Zurs

Away from the slopes and during the evening hours, you’ll find a natural toboggan run, floodlit in the evenings; helicopter skiing; paragliding; ice-skating (natural); hiking trails; curling; indoor tennis; winter golf (indoor driving range); squash; and a sports centre. Thirty-six bars, which include 20 ice bars and five discos, provide night-time entertainment.

The resorts of Lech (1,450m) and Zurs (1,720m) are home to high standard eateries, shops and extremely expensive hotels. The tourists that visit the resorts far outnumber the 1,000 permanent residents at Lech, and the 100 at Zurs. There are a total of 8,000 beds in private accommodation as well as two- to five-star lodgings.

A high standard of lodging possibilities in every category are available at Lech and Zurs, plus a host of comfortable wellness facilities for the guests’ convenience. For entertainment after the slopes, look to the impressive open-air snow bars, restaurants, indoor bars and dancing venues. An older, chic crowd, which proliferates at Lech, are mainly catered for by the après-ski available.

Several villages with elaborately painted Tyrolean houses dot the landscape. Stuben is a little village and winter resort near to Lech and reachable accessible by bus; the most romantic way to get here, however, is by horse-drawn sleigh. This modern resort is not as glamorous as Zürs but prices are reasonable and the location is good. A superb place to dine on a sunny day is in one of the big sun-terrace restaurants in Oberlech.

Transportation to Lech-Zurs

The resort of Lech / Zurs is situated in Vorarlberg, close to the German border, and is accessible by flying to one of the airports at Zürich, Innsbruck, Friedrichshafen or Munich. The resort is reached by taking bus or train services from the airports. Journeys by train or car from the UK are also popular ways of travelling to the resort.

Lech/Zürs ski resort is located close to the German border in the region of Vorarlberg and is accessible from the airports of Innsbruck; , Zürich; , Friedrichshafen; and Munich. Trains and, /or buses run from these airports to the resorts. Driving, or taking the train from the UK is also popular.

Innsbruck Airport is the closest provincial airport; from there, it takes only about two hours by train and bus to reach the resort. Munich and Zürich receive regular budget carriers, however, and are by far the more popular option. Zürich airport Airport is serviced by the Skibus which will take you to either resort on Fridays and weekends and is the most practical option.

The road journey to Lech/ and Zurs from Calais involves is 1,030kms and and involves over a day of driving along tolled motorways. Train journey times from Innsbruck to Langen take on average one 1 hour, 30 minutes; trains from Züurich, take take between two 2 hours, 40 minutes and 4 hours; trains from Friedrichshafen, between two 2 hours, 30 minutes and 3 hours; and trains from Munich to Langen, between three three and five five hours, depending on the connecting trains.

The airport at Zürich is serviced by the Skibus which has a service running to the resort at weekends and on Fridays. The closest provincial airport is Innsbruck, from where it takes about two hours by train and bus to reach Lech and Zurs. However, the airports at Munich and Zürich are serviced by regular budget carriers and are by far the most popular route.

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