Lech (Austria) is one of the oldest and most prestigious ski resorts, where the bohemian elite comes to relax. Its popularity is due to its excellent service, high-quality hotels, and unique climate, which ensures that the slopes remain snow-covered throughout the season. Many tourists appreciate the special atmosphere that permeates the resort, where royalty and the entertainment industry converge. Lech is known for its live music, trendy restaurants on the slopes, and horse-drawn carriages.
An interesting fact! 70% of vacationers are regular customers who visit Lech every year.
General information
The main feature of the Lech ski resort in Austria is its high level of environmental friendliness and attractive appearance. The resort takes great care to maintain a clean environment, and as a result, there are no smokestacks, and the hotels are heated using a boiler room that runs on wood. The pipes are buried underground. The resort does not have satellite television, as the antennas and dishes would spoil the overall landscape.
Oberlech is a small village located on the Arlberg route, approximately 200 meters from the Lech ski resort. The only way to reach the village is by elevator, which operates from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Oberlech is home to several hotels that specialize in accommodating families with children.
It’s good to know! Lech is an expensive and undoubtedly the most snowy Austrian resort. It is located near Germany. The Lech ski area is included in the list of “Best of the Alps” resorts.
Interesting facts about Leh:
- A few years ago, Lech was voted the most beautiful village in Europe;
- the resort is decorated in the classical style of Austria, with chalets dominating the landscape, and the cost of accommodation is significantly higher than in the country;
- Women who vacation in Lech bring their fur coats with them to show off their furs at dinner;
- life at the resort is quiet, and there’s no point in looking for noisy, fun activities. The main rule for vacationers is to drink crusot instead of beer.
- Entertainment venues close by 12 a.m.
The resort of Lech in Austria has conquered the height of 1500 m, it has many pages in the history of skiing, is an integral part of the ski region of skiing, which unites Arlberg, Zurs, St. Anton, as well as St. Christoph. Modern Lech in Austria is a cosmopolitan resort, uniting and welcoming vacationers from different countries.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| – Large area for skiing- Large selection of premium hotels— Scenic views and a great atmosphere- Many tracks of different difficulty levels- Lots of restaurants | — High prices— Hotel rooms and some instructors need to be booked in advance, sometimes a year in advance.— Young tourists will find the resort boring.— If you want to ride the slopes of St. Anton, you’ll have to take the bus. |
It’s good to know! The ski resort in Austria is not suitable for those who want to save money, as well as for tourists who expect an active apres-ski.
Trails
The ski season in Lech lasts from December to May, and good snow cover is guaranteed until April.
Lech is part of a combined ski resort, which also includes Zurs and Oberlech. Zurs is located above the Lech resort area and is a small village. Locals believe that it is home to the first ski lift in Austria. Oberlech is also located above Lech and can only be accessed by ski lift.
An interesting fact! If you want to enjoy the bright Austrian sun, choose the southern slopes, while the northern slopes are more suitable for professionals.
Most of the slopes of the ski resort have a gentle slope that is suitable for beginners, which is why beginners and families with children come here. All of the ski trails surrounding the resort are designed for beginners and intermediate skiers.
The highest point of the ski resort is the Rufikopf (2400 m), from here there are routes of the blue-red level of difficulty, which can be reached from the ski resort of Zurs (1700 m), it is located in the basin formed by the mountains. Directly to Lech leads the road through Kriegeshorn (2170 m), the relief here is soft, dominated by snow fields, equipped with blue-red descents with a large number of simple and complex turns. At the foot of Kriegeshorn is equipped with a snowboard area. Nearby are the Zuger Hochliht (2,300 m) and Salober Kopf (2,000 m) mountains, which offer medium and challenging slopes, as well as untouched areas for cross-country skiing.
- Routes for professionals are presented on the Kriegerhorn and on the Zurs. Athletes mark the descent of Vesterthali as the most interesting, and the route: Lech – Ryufikopf – Vesterthali – Lech is rightfully considered a classic. Another descent worthy of attention of professionals, from Lech to Zurs via Madloh – a journey only for the strong of spirit, designed for 2.5 hours.
- Descents for intermediate-level athletes are red trails. These routes are located on the slopes of Haxenboden (2240 m), Trittkopf (2320 m). An interesting trail is No. 35 on the Zuger-Hochlit (2380 m).
- For beginners, Lech has an excellent area called Oberlech. The blue route 443 runs from the Kriegerhorn. There are also blue runs in Zurs.
Lech Ski Resort in Numbers:
- the ski area is 1.5 km to 2.8 km long and covers an area of 230 hectares;
- the elevation difference is 1.35 km;
- There are a total of 55 trails, of which 27% are for beginners, about 50% are for intermediate athletes, and 23% are for advanced athletes.
- the length of the most difficult track is 5 km;
- lifts – 95, cabin, chair, and drag lifts;
- In addition to the natural snow cover, there is an artificial snow cover of 17.7%.
It’s good to know! Snowboarders and freestyle skiers will find Leh just as interesting as skiers. For snowboarding, you can visit Schlegelkopf, and for freestyle, the village of Zug is suitable, where natural landscapes prevail.
The White Ring, a unique attraction located in the Lech resort, has been considered the centerpiece of the region for over half a century. This attraction is accessible to all athletes, regardless of their skill level, and consists of a 22-kilometer loop that connects Lech, Zurs, Oberlech, and Zug into a single ski area. If you are planning to attempt the trails for the first time, it is recommended to do so with a guide. It typically takes about two hours for a beginner to complete the entire route.
Ski pass
| Number of days | Subscription fee, euro | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| adult | childlike | for students and pensioners | |
| 1 | 54,50 | 32,50 | 49,50 |
| 3 | 158 | 94 | 140 |
| 6 | 289 | 172 | 249 |
There are also half-day and full-day passes available, and their prices are listed on the official website of the ski resort.
It is useful to know! To purchase a ticket for a child, student, or pensioner, you will need to provide proof of your age.
Official websites of the resort:
- lech-zuers.at;
- austria.info;
- tirol.info.
Infrastructure
First of all, on the territory of the resort in Austria there is a large selection of ski schools, kindergartens. Of course, the cost of lessons is not small, you can take private lessons or practice in groups. There is also a swimming pool, solarium, sauna, you can take hang gliding lessons, skating, sleigh, play tennis or squash.
As for night entertainment, there are almost none at the resort. The fun begins right on the ski slopes. There is a huge selection of bars and restaurants in Lech, many of which are built right on the slopes, so tourists gather at cozy tables after skiing. The restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including European, Italian, and Austrian, as well as bars, shops, and a cinema.
After lunch, the athletes relax under the red umbrella of the Petersboden Hotel. The umbrella is a hydraulic-controlled structure. It is located on a wooden deck and can be visited from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The umbrella features a bar where guests can relax, enjoy the view, and order warming drinks.
Hotels
Lech in Austria is located 30 minutes away from Sant Anton, and in terms of luxury and bourgeoisie, the resort is not inferior to the fashionable Courchevel or even St. Moritz. At a distance of 350 m above Lech, there is an equally luxurious village of Oberlech. Most of the hotels in the resort are 4 and 5-star hotels.
Accommodation in a double room in a 3-star hotel will cost at least 109 euros for 1 night and 658 euros for 6 nights. You can also book an apartment, which costs 59 euros for 1 night and 359 euros for 6 nights. If you prefer a more luxurious experience and want to stay in a 5-star hotel, you can expect to pay around 250 euros for 1 night and 1500 euros for 6 nights.
How to get to Lech in Austria
The ski resort can be reached from various airports:
- Munich is 244 km away;
- Zurich is 195 km away;
- Milan – 336 km;
- Innsbruck is 123 km away.
Most tourists choose the train route. The nearest station is located 17 km from the resort in Austria, in Langen am Arlberg. It takes only 20 minutes to get to Lech from the station. The available transport is a bus or a taxi.
It’s good to know! The official website of the railway in Austria is www.oebb.at.
If you plan to travel by train, it is most convenient to purchase:
- European railway pass for children, students, and pensioners;
- European railway pass for foreign tourists.
This pass can be used for 3, 4, 6, or 8 days.
Important! If you plan to rent a car, you need to drive on highway 92 and have a vignette. You can buy a vignette at any gas station or store. The vignette is valid for ten days, two months, or a year. In winter, some highways are closed due to snow drifts.
Requirements for motorists:
- the speed limit is 130 km/h on autobahns and 100 km/h on regular roads;
- alcohol content is allowed to be up to 0.5 ppm;
- it is mandatory for passengers and the driver to be seat-belted;
- winter tires and snow chains are required;
- each passenger must be provided with a safety vest;
- It is better to plan your route before 10:00 or 14:30.
Another convenient way to travel is by bus. Rides depart from terminal P30. You can also book a private transfer for up to 18 people.
In winter, it is necessary to confirm your return ticket at least 24 hours in advance. In the warmer months, this confirmation is not required. You can check the current schedule and ticket prices on the official website arlbergexpress.com/en/.
Important! If the trip does not take place for any reason, the money for the previously booked tickets will not be refunded.
Lech, Austria is a ski resort where royal and bohemian people prefer to relax. Noisy parties are not held here, so people come here to ski, enjoy nature and feel the taste of luxury.
