<p>Discover everything this glamorous resort in Austria has to offer.</p>
Photo: Lech Zuers Tourismus/ChristophSchoech

The Ultimate Guide to Lech

Discover everything this glamorous resort in Austria has to offer.

Resort Guides
Published at: 7 Jan 2020
Last updated at: 22 Feb 2024

Explore our definitive guide to Lech & discover everything you need to know to enjoy a luxury ski holiday in this glamorous resort situated in the country's biggest ski area.

Alicia Bryan
Alicia Bryan

About Lech

Located in the Bludenz district in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, the exclusive resort of Lech has one of the best snow records in the Alps with an altitude ranging from 1,450m to 2646m and a seasonal snowfall average of seven metres. Skiers will have plenty of ski terrain to discover in the Arlberg ski area with four lifts linking this glamorous resort to the neighbouring stations of St. Anton, Zürs and Stuben, providing 305 km of pistes as well as 200 km of ungroomed ski trails.

Lech itself is a traditional-style Austrian village with a picturesque riverside setting and lively atmosphere. The far end of the main village is around 600m from the cable car station so some visitors will need to use the free buses which also link to Oberlech, Zug and Zürs.

When travelling to Lech, Altenrhein airport is just 54 km away and Zürich airport has a transfer time of less than two and a half hours.

Skiers skiing on the snowy mountains of LechPhoto: Lech Zuers Tourismus/ SeppMallaun
View of luxury ski resort Lech at nightPhoto: Lech Zuers Tourismus
Winter hiking in LechPhoto: Lech Zuers Toursimus

Winter in Lech

When skiing in Lech, you can expect well-groomed pistes, fast lifts and great snow. Beginners have a large choice of both blue runs and nursery slopes on which to practise their technique, while intermediates and experts can enjoy the famous White Ring as well as extensive off-piste terrain and heli-skiing.

Divided into three sectors, the ski area of Lech has an extensive array of terrain waiting to be explored. On the mountain above Oberlech, a majority of blue runs will make for a good beginners base, whilst the second sector on the other side of Lech has some beautiful off-piste descents and intermediate runs. Connected by the Auenfeldjet gondola, Warth-Schröcken has a combination of challenging black runs, with more intermediate and easy runs.

Alternate winter activities in Lech include 20km of cross-country trails, sledding, ice skating and tandem flights as well as winter hiking and horse-sleigh rides. Sport.park.lech also offers a range of activities from tennis and climbing to 10-pin bowling.

Off piste skiing in LechPhoto: Lech Zuers Tourismus/Sepp Mallaun
Horse carriage ride in LechPhoto: Lech Zuers Tourismus/Christoph Schoech
Backcountry skiing in LechPhoto: Lech Zuers Toursimus/ Sepp Mallaun

Where to Stay in Lech

Luxury Ski Chalets in Lech
Luxury ski chalet Uberhaus in LechPhoto: Chalet Uberhaus

Lech is renowned for its luxury accommodation, with seven five-star hotels and several high-end chalets, including Chalet Uberhaus and Chalet N which offer ski-in/ski-out access astonishing wellness areas, incredible wine cellars and cinema rooms.

There are also a number of brand new residences that have popped up in recent years which are home to a fantastic range of modern apartments. The most recent additions are Apartment Brunnenhof and Chalech S which benefit from shared spa facilities.

For something more traditional, Chalet 1597 is a lovingly restored property with plenty of original features including a Tyrolean stube.

Where to Eat & Drink in Lech

An extensive array of bars and restaurants in Lech will give you plenty to choose from when it comes to dining out. Should you want a break after a hard morning skiing, stop at the lovely slopeside restaurant of Kriegeralpe which is famous for its delicious Käse Spätzle and Trofelstrudel. The traditional chalet of Rud-Alpe is also a popular mountain restaurant having been awarded a Gault & Millau hat. Dishes range from Kaiserschmarrn (chopped pancakes) to Apfelstrudel. For fabulous views try the steel-and-glass Schlegelkopf with its glass-sided dining room and a menu of sushi from Hakuba-Happo in Japan and juicy steaks.

In the centre of the village, Hus Nr. 8, one of the first houses to have been built in Lech, is a building full of Alpine charm serving traditional Austrian fare. Fans of Pizza should also try Schneggarei with its lively atmosphere.

Top Events in Lech

Lech has a jam-packed events calendar in both the winter and summer seasons. Kicking off the winter season is the multimedia art and music festival Fantastic Gondolas. Also taking place at the start of winter is the Arlberg Weinberg, which brings chefs, sommeliers and winemakers coming together to celebrate and share their skills and knowledge so that everyone can enjoy exquisite dishes matched with various wines from the region.

In January, the world-famous 22km ski race The White Ring sees ambitious skiers competing to be first across the finish line. Comprising of five downhill runs, five ropeways and backcountry skiing, this demanding event and the celebrations that follow are not to be missed.

Rounding off the end of the winter season in April, the Tanzcafé Arlberg music festival sees multiple bands playing in hotels and restaurants over a period of two weeks with music styles ranging from jazz to pop, and rock and roll.

When the snow has melted and summer arrives, Lech hosts theArlberg Classic Golf Cup as well as the historic Arlberg Classic Car Rally.

Summer hiking in LechPhoto: Lech Zuers Tourismus/Daniel Zangerl

Summer in Lech

From hiking to canyoning, golfing to mountain biking, Lech offers many summertime activities. During your stay, make sure you get the Lech Card which can be bought for stays of three, seven or 14 nights.

Your passport to leisure in Lech, this card grants free travel on the cable cars and lifts, as well as the local Lech bus. Children up to 14 years old can also enjoy a free adventure program with activities such as scuba diving and canyoning, as well as further discounts on leisure activities including swimming and visits to the Huber Hus Museums.