Luxury Chaletsin Lech am Arlberg

High in Austria's Vorarlberg, Lech am Arlberg is one of the most exclusive ski villages in the Alps, long favoured by European royalty and discerning families. It belongs to Ski Arlberg, Austria's largest linked ski area, and caps its daily lift passes to keep the slopes uncrowded.

Lech am Arlberg lies at around 1,450 metres in a wide, sunny valley of the Vorarlberg, Austria's westernmost province. Once a remote farming community cut off by snow for months each winter, it has kept its small scale and a strong sense of place: an old parish church, a river running through the village, wooden farmhouses and family-run hotels, many in the same hands for generations. European royal families and discreet guests have returned here for decades, drawn by the quality of the snow and the absence of ostentation.

On the slopes, Lech, Oberlech and Zürs are part of Ski Arlberg, around 300 kilometres of marked runs linked by modern lifts to Stuben, St. Christoph, St. Anton and Warth-Schröcken. The classic Weisser Ring circuit loops through Lech, Zürs and Zug, and the area is renowned for its deep snow, ski touring and powder: it is one of the few places in Austria where heli-skiing is permitted. To protect the experience, the number of day passes sold in Lech-Zürs is capped, so the pistes rarely feel busy.

Off the slopes, life is relaxed and quietly refined. Oberlech, perched above the village, is car-free in winter and linked by cable car, with luggage delivered through a network of underground tunnels. Afternoons might bring a horse-drawn sleigh ride to the hamlet of Zug, a visit to James Turrell's Skyspace or a long lunch on a sunny terrace; evenings are for fondue, Austrian wines and quiet conversation. In summer, the valley turns to flowered meadows, alpine lakes and walking trails, and in September the Philosophicum Lech brings writers and thinkers to the village.

Our properties

• Chalet Aurelio: A private chalet in Lech am Arlberg with butler service, open fire, library and its own spa

Areas

• Lech village: The heart of the resort, along the Lech river, with the parish church, boutiques, cafés and the main lifts to the Rüfikopf and Schlegelkopf.
• Oberlech: A car-free plateau above the village at around 1,700 metres, reached by cable car, with ski-in, ski-out chalets and hotels linked by underground tunnels.
• Zug: A small farming hamlet a few minutes up the valley, quiet and authentic, with traditional inns and the starting point for sleigh rides and winter walks.
• Zürs: A few kilometres up the road towards the Flexen pass, at around 1,720 metres, a compact high-altitude village of hotels and chalets with snow-sure slopes on both sides of the valley.

Getting there

Innsbruck is the nearest major airport, around 120 kilometres and an hour and a half by car. Zurich, about 200 kilometres away, offers the widest choice of international connections and is reached in around two and a half hours, while Friedrichshafen and the small airport of St. Gallen-Altenrhein, popular with private aircraft, are both under two hours away. Munich is about three hours by road.

By train, Langen am Arlberg station, on the main line between Zurich, Innsbruck and Vienna, lies around 15 minutes from Lech, and St. Anton station is roughly 25 minutes away; a car or taxi completes the journey. In winter, Lech is reached from the Arlberg pass along the Flexen road, protected by avalanche galleries, while the road beyond Lech towards Warth is closed for the season. Austrian motorways require a toll sticker, and winter tyres are compulsory in wintry conditions from November to mid-April.

We can arrange chauffeured transfers from any airport or station, as well as helicopter transfers, weather permitting.

Good to know

The ski season generally runs from early December to mid or late April, with Christmas, New Year, February and Easter the busiest periods. A Ski Arlberg pass covers Lech, Zürs, Oberlech, Stuben, St. Christoph, St. Anton and Warth-Schröcken; because day passes in Lech-Zürs are limited, it is wise to secure them in advance during peak weeks. Lech has a quiet, family atmosphere rather than a party scene, and many of the best restaurants are small and fully booked well ahead. Dress is smart but relaxed, and après-ski is convivial rather than raucous. In summer, from late June to September, hiking buses run to the Formarinsee and other trailheads, and many hotels and restaurants reopen. Between seasons, in May, early June and November, much of the village closes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to reach Lech?

Zurich and Innsbruck are the most convenient airports, around two and a half hours and an hour and a half away by road. We arrange chauffeured transfers from any airport or from the stations at Langen and St. Anton, as well as helicopter transfers when the weather allows.

Can you secure lift passes, instructors and guides?

Yes. Because Lech limits its daily lift passes, we recommend letting our concierge arrange passes, private instructors and mountain guides before you arrive, particularly at Christmas, in February and at Easter.

Can we have a private chef and staff in the chalet?

We can arrange a private chef, a chalet host, housekeeping, a driver and childcare for all or part of your stay.

Is Lech a discreet destination?

Lech is known for its discretion and has long welcomed royal families and public figures. We keep stays confidential, organise arrivals quietly and work only with trusted staff.

How early should we book for peak weeks?

Christmas, New Year and February are reserved very early, often a year ahead. We recommend booking nine to twelve months in advance, and securing ski school and guides at the same time.

Is heli-skiing available in Lech?

Yes. Lech-Zürs is one of the few places in Austria where heli-skiing is permitted, with landings on nearby peaks. Flights depend on weather and snow conditions and always take place with a certified guide.

Is Lech suitable for non-skiers and families?

Very much so: winter walks, sleigh rides, cross-country trails, spa days and excellent ski schools make it one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Alps.