Gateway City: Zürich
Transfer Time: 2.5 Hours
Via: Motorcoach

Beginner: 20%
Intermediate: 50%
Expert: 30%

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  • DISPLAY AMMENITIES (roll over icons)
  • A Best of the Alps Resort
  • Chic Shopping
  • Casino
  • English Spoken
  • Expensive
  • Family Resort
  • Fine Food
  • Fly Luggage
  • Glacier Express
  • Haute Route
  • High Season Lines
  • Long Season
  • Lots to do
  • No Cars
  • Olympic Resort
  • Party Town
  • Skier's Resort
  • Summer Skiing
  • Very Scenic
  • World Cup Races
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Lech

Dairymen from around Zermatt originally settled the tiny villages of Lech and Zürs (about a half mile from Lech) around the 1200s. Neither has grown much in the ensuing 700 years; in fact, Zürs has only 65 inhabitants in summer! Lech, with its rushing river, full of old world charm, in 2004 was voted Europe’s prettiest village. While en route, with a blink, Zürs passes you by. Their buildings, ancient and new, are painted in the colorfull Tyrolean style. In Lech elegant restaurants and clubs mix with cozy stüblis, while a small number of elite shops appeal to their sophisticated guests. Have lunch on the mountain or at one of the town’s popular ice bars. Then one evening go by horse drawn sleigh through star-lit pines for a romantic dinner in Zug.

In 1894 Lech’s locals first tried their luck with barrels stays. A lot has changed in 128 years! Today the Arlberg ski area is world renown, and got more so. Last winter they created the largest ski area in Austria. The Flexenbahn, with four interconnecting stations, four miles in length stretching from Zürs/Lech to just above Stuben/St. Anton at Alpe Rauz. The 45 million Euros ($50 million) investment allows skiers to go from one resort to the other in minutes while above some of 314 miles of terrain serviced by 87 lifts. A cable car connecting Warth and Schröcken opened up a third ski valley, a dream 100 years in the making. Those just getting their ‘snow legs’ can start on Oberlech’s more gentle slopes, graduating to some of the greatest variety of intermediate skiing anywhere. For off-piste enthusiasts, you are in the midst of Austria’s largest powder arena.

Today with the Flexenbahn, one really can’t separate Lech, St. Anton, St. Christoph and all their neighboring villages, all are on one pass. The Arlberg also region honors the Epic pass for three days of skiing.

Hotels in Lech

HAUS ALPINA

The Haus Alpina is three buildings centered around the 250-year old stube. Its Strolz family has been in Lech for nearly as long. The paneled stube is where breakfast and tea are served, locally sourced from the Lech area’s nearby farms, the closer the better. Two and a half centuries? Don’t think it’s too old because the Alpina is also 21st century eco-friendly. The hotel is small, very small: six doubles, a suite and three apartments, all brightly decorated with a mix of local antiques. Its smallness enhances the warm feeling. They’ve a Finnish sauna and steam bath. It’s literally two minutes off the main street, so dinners are steps away. Maybe, you’ll also enjoy hanging around the fireplace with a glass of Austrian wine before calling it a night.

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HOTEL HALDENHOF

The Schwärzler family’s hotel opened more than 50 years ago. Barely past the newlywed stage, Isolde and Hubert opened it in 1968. He had become director of tourism two years earlier; a post he held until 2001 helping to create the wonderful, pined-for resort Lech that is today. A few years ago they turned over management to their son, Michael and his wife, Claudia; and now Isolde shares life’s stories with guests. The hotel’s 26-rooms are individually decorated in rich woods and vibrant furnishings. There’s a cozy fireplace for drinks. The dining room serves fresh from-the-farm cuisine with an international flair. And for bodily cures you have a pool, sauna, steam bath, aroma therapy, and massages. Art graces the walls as one sits by the fire sharing a glass while the family shares their history.

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HOTEL ANGELA

  • Superior

This understated, elegant hotel is always one for the top of your list with a ski-in, ski-out location overlooking lovely Lech. The winter 14/15 marked the Angela’s fiftieth year. In 07-08 the hotel was promoted to Lech’s superior four-star category. Two years ago the Walch-Fernandez family has renovated the hallways, elevator and other public areas. The hotel’s 34 lovely rooms, suites and apartments come with fluffy robes for the mini-spa with sauna, whirlpool and Turkish bath. Dinner in the family’s flower filled restaurant is the day’s pièce de résistance! It may start with sautéed foie gras, recommended wines to compliment each course and with local Austrian products served to perfection. Yes, surely the Angela is one of labor’s true rewards!

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