A resort of its own
Lech is located in the heart of Austria’s largest contiguous ski area – Ski Arlberg. With over 300 kilometres of slopes, modern lifts and countless off-piste runs, the region offers an exceptional skiing experience for beginners and professionals alike. Wide, perfectly groomed slopes meet challenging deep-snow runs, while fantastic panoramic routes make the hearts of all connoisseurs beat faster.
The variety is particularly impressive: whether gentle, sunny slopes or sporting challenges – everyone will find their favourite spot in the snow here.
Learn from the best
The ski schools in Lech Zürs am Arlberg look back on a long tradition of alpine skiing culture. Austria’s first ski lift was built in Zürs am Arlberg, and the first ski course was held in Zürs as early as 1906. This led to the development of methods and teaching techniques that have been perfected over decades and adapted to the latest skiing technology. Today, you can benefit from the extensive experience of the ski schools in Arlberg. Whether you are attempting your first parallel turns or your first deep snow descent of the season, the highly trained ski instructors are your loyal holiday companions in Lech Zürs am Arlberg.
A ski resort fit for families
Lech Zürs stands for quality over quantity, for spaciousness and room. This is one of the reasons why it is particularly popular with families. Many of our regular guests have known Lech Zürs since childhood, having spent their winter holidays here with their parents and learned to ski in the Arlberg. To ensure optimal learning progress, children have access to varied practice areas, group courses and even ski kindergartens. We would be happy to book a suitable place for your little ones.
When the sun hits the summit
The sunrise hike to the Mohnenfluh is probably one of the most impressive natural spectacles in Lech am Arlberg. A moment for eternity at 2,540 metres. The ascent begins early in the morning from the hotel to Oberlech in the direction of Petersboden. Past the gypsum holes to the Mohnensattel saddle, the turquoise blue Butzensee lake awaits, which only reveals its true colourful splendour as the sun approaches. After the last and most challenging section to the summit via the Jägersteig trail, you are rewarded with a unique natural spectacle.
The eagle’s eye view from the Omeshorn
The ascent to the most famous peak in our village – the Omeshorn – is another must for every Lech enthusiast. It is surprisingly quick to reach the high plateau from the hotel via Tannegg, which many guests know from the Madloch descent in winter. Follow the steep ascent over the back of the mountain to the summit. You should be well-skilled and courageous for the last section along the ridge. The climb is worthwhile and will remain a lasting memory.
A romantic start to the season
Have you ever trudged through the snow-covered forests of the Arlberg with lanterns? Heard the crunch under your boots, surrounded by crystal-clear air? Advent in Lech am Arlberg is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Stroll through the Christmas markets in Lech or Zug, or watch the children’s eyes light up when Father Christmas comes to visit. The sound of alphorn players and Christmas music also echoes through the mountain air at selected concerts.
The new ice rink
From 5 December to 11 January, the ice rink at the Rüfiplatz becomes a sparkling meeting place for families, friends and anyone who enjoys ice skating. Every day between 2 pm and 7 pm, the reflective surface invites you to glide across the ice, enjoy the clear winter air and spend carefree hours together.
Whether young or old, there is something for everyone here.
Happier through alpine exercise
Our guests feel it intuitively and it has been scientifically proven: Even a short stay at medium altitudes, between 1,500 and 2,500 metres, combined with exercise has a positive effect on health and leads to lasting well-being. Body and mind regenerate and a feeling of happiness spreads. The Austrian Moderate Altitude Study I and II have confirmed this. The studies were carried out in Lech Zürs am Arlberg, among other places. In other words: The fact that sport in Lech Zürs makes you happy is scientifically proven.
Trail running Challenges Lech
Two major sporting events centred around trail running are on offer to guests:
The Weisse Ring, Trail Challenge
Both events demand top sporting performances from the participants. In “The Weisse Ring – Trail Challenge”, participants run the legendary ski route of our resort in an anti-clockwise direction. This event takes place annually around the 3rd week in August. The Trans Alpine Run stops in Lech Zürs every two years and is one of the toughest trail running events in the Alps.
Biking Destination in Austria
The tours in Lech Zürs focus on variety and diversity – they are aimed at beginners and leisure cyclists as well as experienced trail riders. Huts and alpine pastures invite you to take a well-earned rest. In this way, the sporting aspect of an active holiday can always be combined with the necessary relaxation.
Mountain bikers in particular, but also gravel bike enthusiasts, will find a variety of trails around the Hotel Arlberg in Lech. Our personal favourite route takes you to the beautiful Formarin or Spullersee lakes. Down over the Stierloch, which can otherwise only be marvelled at by freeriders in winter. Don’t be surprised if the wild ibex herd watches you balancing on two wheels.
Tours
Take a look at the selection of trails that other guests have already discovered and documented before you. There’s something for everyone here to inspire your perfect biking holiday.
Training für Kinder & Jugendliche
Vom 08. Juli – 26 August 2024 findet einmal wöchentlich ein Bike Training für Kinder und Jugendliche statt. Um die Begeisterung des Sports auch an die nächste Generation weiterzugeben, fördern wir als Mitglied des Bike Club Arlbergs den Ausbau der Infrastruktur unserer Bike-Region. Gerne können Sie sich anmelden und Ihren Kindern einen spannenden Tag auf zwei Rädern schenken.
Hiking summer in Lech, Vorarlberg
From leisurely hiking routes across blooming alpine meadows and through deep forests to majestic peaks. Along the hiking trails in Lech, you will discover wildly rushing streams and crystal-clear mountain lakes that tempt you with refreshment on hot summer days. Variety is provided by lovingly designed themed hikes for the whole family. Thanks to cable cars and chairlifts, you can enjoy the breathtaking views from the heights without a challenging ascent.
Lechweg
A long-distance trail through the Alps and one of the last remaining wild river landscapes in Europe ! Over a distance of 125 km, the river Lech accompanies hikers from its source close to the Formarinsee lake to the Lechfall in Füssen. The first stage passes directly in front of the hotel.
Huts & farms
Homemade specialities are served in the cosy alpine pastures and huts: The mountain cheese from the mayor of Lech on the Kriegeralpe is legendarily good!
The most beautiful hikes around Lech Zuers
With so many options, it’s not easy to choose the right tour. Fortunately, the tourism board offers an interactive search option, which you can use to filter the desired duration and level of difficulty.
Weekly program with hiking guide Andreas
From Monday to Friday, our in-house hiking guide Andreas Schnell takes our guests to the most beautiful places in the hiking area. Accompanied by the actual hotel manager – rough-haired dachshund Pauli – a variety of routes are on the agenda and can be customised at any time by arrangement.
Canyoning tours in Vorarlberg and Tyrol
Canyoning is a relatively new action sport in which a gorge or mountain stream is entered from top to bottom. Well equipped with neoprene, helmet and harness, you enter a breathtaking, partly unspoilt natural landscape. The obstacles or challenges encountered here are overcome by abseiling & climbing down, sliding & jumping, swimming & diving. Beginner tours, family tours and child-friendly routes are just as much fun as the advanced programme.
All canyoning tours are led by state-certified guides. The necessary equipment such as wetsuits and safety equipment are provided. Requirements: Swimming, enjoyment of exercise in nature and a sense of adventure! We will be happy to book your personal canyoning adventure for you.
Suspension bridge Holzgau
If you want a little less action, but equally want thrills and breathtaking views, you should visit the suspension bridge near Holzgau. The bridge is on the route of the Lechweg – a long-distance hiking trail covering 125 kilometres, from the Lech springs near Lech am Arlberg to the Lech Falls near Füssen.
Various circular hikes for short walks, half-day tours or day tours are available in combination with the suspension bridge and the numerous hiking trails on the sunny slopes of Gföllberg and Schiggenberg as well as in connection with the wild and romantic Höhenbachtal valley and the beautiful Simms waterfall.
Our in-house hiking guide regularly organises excursions to Holzgau in good weather, which you are welcome to join.
The perfect playground in the middle of nature
The Arlberg and the Zugertal in particular have remained unspoilt by nature and spared from high-rise tourist buildings: unspoilt, unique and incredibly charismatic. Here, in the idyllic Zugertal valley not far from Lech, the nine lifts are located on both sides of the Lech river. Nature has already determined the route. The course heads upstream towards the Rote Wand as far as the Zugertobel. After the 3rd tee, the route runs along the Lech to the Stierlochbach stream before returning to the start past the fish pond.
As a founding member of the Lech Golf Club early on, our guests also benefit from a 25% discount on green fees. The three hotel-owned golf carts take you directly from the hotel to the tee.
Golf courses in Lech, Austra
Combine your stay at the Hotel Arlberg in Lech with an ÖGV or ASG (Switzerland) course or advanced course. We support you in planning your golfing goals. The affiliated golf school run by PGA Head Pro Michael Conveton offers an extensive range of courses for golfers of all levels.
The Arlberg Trail
The well signposted circular hiking trail comprises a total length of 50 kilometres, almost a fifth of which is covered by cable car. In total, it takes around 18 hours to hike the route, which encompasses 6,038 metres in elevation difference by foot. Ideally, you start from St. Anton, Lech or Stuben in a clockwise direction, so that the routes and cable car rides coordinate perfectly. Walking individual stages, or easier variants are also possible.
Stage 1: Lech – St. Anton
- Distance 12,4 km
- Ascent 1.220 m / Descent 918 m
- Hiking time approx. 06.30 hrs
Etappe 2: St. Anton – Stuben
- Distance 15 km
- Ascent 674 m / Descent 1.351 m
- Hiking time approx. 06.30 hrs
Etappe 3: Stuben – Lech
- Distance 14,6 km
- Ascent 667 m / Descent 1.144 m
- Hiking time approx. 5 hrs
A closed connection
The transnational long-distance hiking trail combines a sporty alpine challenge with first-class comfort. In 3 stages and over 50 kilometres, long-distance hikers experience the Arlberg and its five villages of Lech, Zürs, Stuben, St. Christoph and St. Anton with their respective characters up close, intensively and at a slower pace. It is no coincidence that the Arlberg Trail, unlike many multi-day hiking tours, forms a loop. A loop that connects and brings the Arlberg even closer together.
Marvel at the light installation by James Turrell
James Turrell is one of the most important artists of our time. His light spaces are known worldwide. Not far from Lech in Bregenz in 1997, he designed the Kunsthaus with an exterior light surface. Later during a hike around Lech, he was so inspired by the mountain landscapes, that he envisioned the Skyspace Lech.
On a small hill at the Tanegg site in Oberlech, 1780 metres above the Schlosskopfbahn mountain station, a hiking trail leads to James Turrell’s Skyspace all year round. It can be visited all year round, even in winter. Public guided tours by appointment.
Access to the artwork is via a 15 metre long tunnel, which can be seen as the entrance area to the Roden Craters in Arizona, James Turrell’s main oeuvre. It leads into the elliptical 9 metre long and 6 metre wide Sensing Room, which is equipped with a bench surrounding it, typical of Turrell’s work. From here, visitors can take in the light installation. The building is fitted with a special dome that can be opened to reveal a view of the sky – a special feature not found in any other Skyspace in the world.
Antony Gormley in Lech
Not far from Skyspace Lech is a single cast iron figure by the English sculptor Antony Gormley. Its the last remaining figure from the large-scale exhibition Horizon Fields, which saw figures positioned at an altitude of 2,039 metres in the Vorarlberg communities of Mellau, Schoppernau, Schröcken, Warth, Mittelberg Lech, Klösterle and Dalaas from 2010 to 2012. To this day, the single figure stands above the Kriegeralpe and can be visited and marvelled at.
