Lech am Arlberg★★★
Lech (1,450 m), together with the neighboring village of Zürs, is one of the most exclusive winter sports resorts in the Alps—and one of the most snow-sure. The ski area Ski Arlberg (connected with St. Anton, Stuben, and Warth-Schröcken) is with 305 km of slopes and 88 lifts the largest contiguous ski area in Austria.
In winter, Champagne Powder and après-ski elegance dominate (less Ballermann, more bar culture). In summer, Lech transforms into a hiking paradise with the famous Lechweg (125 km, from the source to the Lechfall) and the Green Ring (panoramic hike, 5–6 hrs., fantastic).
Lech is not cheap—the prices are significantly above the Austrian average. But the quality is also first-class: top hotels, excellent gastronomy (several award-winning restaurants), and a well-maintained infrastructure.
💡 Tipp
In summer, the Lech Card (free with overnight stay) includes all cable cars, the bus, and the hiking bus—a value of about €50/day. In winter: The Ski Arlberg pass costs €72/day in high season (6-day pass: €366). Early bird discount until October.
Activities & Attractions
★★★ Ski Arlberg (Winter)
The largest contiguous ski area in Austria: 305 km of slopes, 200 km of off-piste (powder), 88 lifts and cable cars. The slopes in Lech/Zürs are mostly red (intermediate) and blue (easy)—ideal for advanced pleasure skiers. For professionals: the White Ring (22 km ski circuit over Lech, Zürs, Zug, and back, 5,500 meters of altitude) and freeride routes at Mehlsack and Madloch.
Day pass: €72 (adults), €43 (youth), €36 (children). Season: Early December–end of April.
★★★ Green Ring (Summer)
The most beautiful panoramic hike in Vorarlberg: The Green Ring (approx. 14 km, 5–6 hrs., medium) circles Lech—over the Rüfikopf cable car to 2,350 m, then over ridges and pastures with views of the entire Lechtal Alpine landscape. Stop at the Kriegeralpe (Kaiserschmarrn €12) or the Balmalpe.
★★ Skyspace Lech (James Turrell)
On the Tannegg above Lech, the American light artist James Turrell has set a walk-in art structure into the mountain—an oval room with an opening to the sky, through which light falls in changing colors. Particularly impressive at sunrise and sunset. Accessible via a hiking trail (30 min. from Oberlech).
Freely accessible. Year-round, around the clock.
★★ Formarinsee & Rote Wand
The Formarinsee (1,793 m) was voted "Austria's most beautiful place" in 2015—a smaragd green mountain lake below the Rote Wand (2,704 m). Accessible by hiking bus from Lech (summer, 30 min.) or on foot (3 hrs.). Stop at the Freiburger Hut on the lakeshore (ÖAV, overnight €20/members).
★ Lechweg (Long-Distance Hike)
125 km in 6–8 stages from the Lech source (Formarin) to the Lechfall near Füssen. The trail follows one of the last wild rivers of the Northern Alps—untamed, turquoise, with natural gravel banks. Stage 1 (Formarinsee–Lech, 5 hrs.) and Stage 2 (Lech–Warth, 4 hrs.) are the most alpine and beautiful.
Dining & Accommodation
€€€ Restaurant Rote Wand Chef's Table
In the Hotel Rote Wand in Zug near Lech: Max Natmessnig (2 Gault-Millau toques) serves a 6-course menu (€135) made from regional products—Bregenzerwälder cheese, Arlberg lamb, wild herbs from the Alps. Reservation weeks in advance.
€€€ Hus Nr. 8
In a 400-year-old Walser house: creative Alpine cuisine with regional ingredients. 5-course menu from €98. The atmosphere—dark wood, candlelight, stone walls—is incomparable.
€€ Fux Restaurant & Bar
The design hotel Aurelio operates this modern restaurant: Lech trout (€26), beef goulash with Spätzle (€19.50), Wiener Schnitzel from veal (€28). Stylish bar with cocktails from €14.
€€ Gasthof Post
Traditional inn since 1580 in the village center. Empress Sisi and Hemingway already stayed here. Classic cuisine: Tyrolean Gröstl (€14.50), calf liver (€22), Kaiserschmarrn (€13.50).
Accommodation
Hotel Arlberg — 5-star tradition since 1939. Double room from €380/night with half board (winter), from €240 (summer). Spa, pool, gourmet restaurant.
Pension Bergkristall — Cozy B&B, 5 minutes from the village center. Double room from €120/night with breakfast (summer), from €180 (winter). Ski-in/ski-out possible.
Youth Hotel Lech — Affordable alternative: Double room from €85/night with breakfast (summer). Shared room from €40.
