A guide to Ski Arlberg
Austria's premier ski destination, Ski Arlberg, boasts over 300 km of slopes and 200 km of off-piste trails across St. Anton am Arlberg, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth, and Schröcken. Known as the birthplace of modern alpine skiing, St. Anton welcomes global snow enthusiasts with top-notch facilities, a pleasant ambiance and some distinctly up-market shops and restaurants. With seven 5* hotels, Lech is a long-standing favourite for well-healed skiers - this is well justified by its excellent ski credentials while the village is attractive with easy access to the slopes. Zürs is 300m higher than Lech, the village is small and is dominated by some time-honoured hotels. The closest airports are Zurich (200 km) and Innsbruck (120 km) - both connected by an efficient direct train line. Friedrichshafen in Germany (130 km) requires a transfer by road.
Property in St. Anton and Lech
Visitors to St Anton and Lech may have noticed, there are no estate agent windows to browse. A property market in both locations, and the entire region, is seemingly non-existant. That is not entirely the case, various local and international developers are active in the region from time to time. Apartments and chalets do change hands, but discretely. Arlberg has never welcomed property investors in the way some other Austrian ski resorts have, and has applied the Austrian ownership rules with considerable zeal. Accommodation is mainly in hotels, pensions, often in the same families for generations - they have a strong voice with the local Gemeinde. Some catered chalets are run by international operators. With minimal price transparency, as there is little to benchmark, this is a market with the scarcity that keeps prices high. Apartments close to St Anton and near the pistes with perpetual obligations to rent, but with some owner usage permitted, have recently sold for €12-13,000/m² - quite reasonable. But chalets in St. Anton are rare. Prices in Lech and Zurs, if there is anything for sale, can easily exceed €20-25,000/m². We have seen large chalets in Oberlech for close to €8m, or higher still if in the centre. Developments at the far reaches of the ski area, for example in Warth and Schröcken may be in the €15-20,000/m² price range. Occasionally some off-market land to build on is available, an old farm building to refurbish or completely redevelop. Some properties are for sale with second home status, otherwise there is a rental management operator.
A further footnote is that St Anton is actually in Tirol, whereas the rest of the ski area is in the state of Vorarlberg. When it comes to property regulations, since the local communities have a strong voice in Austria it is better to assume that in practice the highly restrictive ownership rules of the Arlberg region apply.
Alpine Property intelligence can help you navigate this challenging property market.
Ski Arlberg in the winter
The Arlberg ski area boasts 300 km of marked ski runs - the largest in Austria - and 200 km of highly regarded off-piste terrain. Renowned for its lengthy slopes and exceptional snow depth, averaging 163 cm high in the mountains and 57 cm in the valley, Ski Arlberg is a haven for ski touring, freeriding, and even winter Via Ferrata in the Rendl area. The longest descent, a 9 km run from Valluga to St. Anton am Arlberg, delivers a thrilling 1,350-meter drop. The mountains around St Anton are high and steep, it has a good snow record although Lech does better; Warth is said to be the snowiest ski area in the entire Alps. The St. Anton Park freestyle garden has two ski lifts, ensuring minimal wait times. With snowboard parks, carving areas, race tracks, and cozy mountain bars, the Arlberg presents an ideal mix for an unforgettable winter vacation. Lech and its close neighbour Zürs have extensive slopes with a terrific mix of easy and more challenging gradients - our favourite is the "Zürser Täli" piste, a sweeping red run with magnificent views, just under 1km long down to Zürs, accessed via the Muggengratbahn. Excursions to the far reaches of the area, to small unspoilt Tyrolean villages such as Stuben, make perfect lunch stops - or head over to Warth for truly abundant snow.
For climbers who do not want to let winter get in the way of their hobby the climbing trail at Rendl, 850 m long and is considered one of the most beautiful winter climbs in Tyrol.
Après-ski in St Anton and Lech
Legendary is the best word for the après-ski activities in and on the lower slopes on the way down to St. Anton. Famous venues include the Krazy Kanguruh and Mooserwirt - the action starts just after lunch! APi can testify, be careful skiing down later on. Around the lift base, bar Piccadilly is popular. Bodega makes good tapas for the early evening.
It is a different scene elsewhere in the region, more relaxed - Lech has a number of bars at the foot of the slopes and pleasant restaurants in Oberlech.
Away from the bars, Arlberg WellCom in St Anton is a haven for relaxation, offering swimming, workouts, massages, saunas, and steam rooms. In this idyllic wellness retreat, even on days when the weather isn't ideal, guests can unwind and rejuvenate in a relaxed atmosphere.
Summer in St Anton and Lech
Explorers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts have a diverse range of tours to embark upon in the Arlberg region, catering to various skill levels from leisurely to high alpine adventures. With an extensive network of 400 km marked hiking trails, all holding the esteemed Tirolean Hiking Seal of Quality, there's an abundance of opportunities to immerse yourself in this diverse mountain landscape.
This is one of the most scenic hikes: take the two gondolas up to Kapall, at 2,330m, and from there hiked to Leutkircher Hütte, a mountain hut with epic views. The first section of the trail is 4.1km with minimal elevation change, just 190m up and 250m down. Hike along the mountain side and on the ridge, enjoying the epic views over the valley and town of St Anton below. Once at Leutkircher Hütte try the delicious traditional lunch, for example hauswurst with kraut and breadkaspressknodel with sweet kraut. After walking for two hours at the top of a mountain, it will be just what you need!
For mountain bikers and e-bikers, a selection of over 220 km of trails and presents multiple tour possibilities. One of the standout features is the adventure valley Verwall, which boasts the Legend Path, high and low rope courses, a suspension bridge over the lively River Rosanna, the EldoRADo bike park, the Wagner hut extern, and a picturesque lake complete with a playground and barbecue area—a perfect spot to relax and unwind.