The Arlberg
Without doubt the biggest linked and best ski area in Austria if not in the World! Known as the cradle of Alpine Skiing, The Arlberg extends from St Anton through St Christoph over to Zurs, then down to Lech and over to Warth and Schrocken, over 88 lifts connect 305kms or marked piste and over 200kms of off piste ski routes.
Ski Statistics
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Kms of Marked Piste
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304 kms
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Number of Lifts
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113
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Highest Lift
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2811m
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Closest Airports
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Innsbruck 1 1/2 hours; Zurich 3 hours
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Snow Report
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Click Here
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St Anton is a large vibrant ski resort with legendary Apres Ski. Stuben is a beautiful village on the approach to the Arlberg from Zurich. The only downside to Stuben is the two man chairlift out of the village. St Christoph is sitiated on the Arlberg Pass and is a gentle quiet resort with a superb beginners area. Over the Flexen Pass lies the up market resort of Zurs – a collection of hotels that straddle the road to Lech. While Lech is reputed to be Austria’s most glamorous resort it is not all 5 star hotels we knowplenty of great value pensions that are close to the centre of the resort and some are ski in ski out. Oberlech is a unique place to stay. Arrive into Lech and jump on the cable car - don't worry about your bags - somehow they make it to your hotel before you! The Apres ski is great though not quite as wild as St Anton!
The Skiing
Beginners – the Austria Ski School is world renowned for its care and attention. Beginners should consider staying in St Christoph, Zurs, Lech or Warth where the nursery ski areas are close to the resorts, wide and open.
Intermediates and Advanced Skiers – Our Guide!
Which ever resort you chose the Arlberg opens up a wealth of opportunities.
Starting in St Anton one area often forgotten is Rendl. A long bubble lift opens up a delightful mountain served by half a dozen lifts that link a mix of blue and red runs. The attraction for advanced and off piste skiers is the Hinterer Rendl – an off piste descent with a vertical of over 1300m back down to St Anton. On the main St Anton area – take the chairs up to Kapall exploring the reds and couple of blacks before heading to the Zammemoos chairlft up to Galzig. From Galzig ski down to St Christoph and stop att he Hospiz Alm – perhaps the only mountain restaurant with a slide to the bathroom! Back up to Galzig it is worth queuing for the Valluga cable car. The views from the top over Austria are awesome. Ski down to Alp Rauz. At Rauz new bubble lifts connect both Stuben on the left and Zurs on the right. Takign the bubble lift to Zurs we recommend going right up to Trittkopf (the start of the red route 38 from the mid station is steeper than steep!!). In good conditions there are some wonderful off piste runs down from Trittkopf to Zurs. Jump on the Hexenboden chair – at the top straight ahead to open up some wonderful
Back down to Zurs and ski across the link bridge – make sure you stay in the correct lane…. Then up to Seekopf and jump on the Muggengrat chair. The red route 144 back to Zurs is ledgendary!. Otherwise take the old slow 2 man Madlochbahn chairlift and ski the marked ski routes either down to Lech or Zug.
Lech has two options – the majority of the skiing is on the Krigerhorn and Zuger Hochlicht. Red, blues and black ski routes open up wide stretched of mountain. Heading down towards Oberlech you can jump on the Auenfeldjet – a 10 man bubble that links into Warth and Schrocken. Or stay on the Peterboden run in to Oberlech. Pop into the Burg hotel for lunch (or Apres Ski!). Carrying on down to Lech – cross the road and head up the Rufikopt cable car. From the top there some glorious off piste routes back to Lech or head down Blue 180 back towards Zurs and retrace your steps back towards St Anton.
Our Recommended Accommodation in The Arlberg