Arlberg

The Arlberg ski region is the largest contiguous ski area in Austria. 305 kilometers of slopes between Lech–Zürs, St. Anton and Warth-Schröcken are seamlessly accessible with skis and boards. From après-ski parties and family slopes to the glamorous ski village, there is something for every winter sports enthusiast on the Arlberg.

1) General information about the Ski Arlberg ski area

• Largest connected ski area in Austria with 305 kilometers of slopes
• Austria’s most freshly snowed ski region
• Skiing around the famous ski resorts of St. Anton and Lech

The Ski Arlberg ski region comprises 305 kilometers of slopes and 88 lifts, making it the largest connected ski area in Austria. Of these, there are 122 km of slopes and 38 lifts in the St. Anton ski area.

The Arlberg is one of the most snow-sure regions in the entire Alpine region and is also known as the “cradle of alpine skiing” due to its long winter sports tradition. The slopes are at heights of 1,270 to 2,811 m.

The Flexenbahn has been connecting the villages of Zürs and Stuben / Rauz since the 2016/17 winter season. In addition, the Auenfeldjet has been connecting the Lech-Zürs and Warth-Schröcken ski areas since 2013.

This creates a huge, connected piste paradise between St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken.

In St. Anton, the Schindlergratbahn went into operation in the 2019/20 season. The 68 ultra-modern 10-seater gondolas transport up to 2,800 people per hour. The most famous ski resorts are the pulsating St. Anton am Arlberg and the centrally located Lech.

2) Ski Arlberg piste map

3) Skiing in the Ski Arlberg ski area

There is a suitable slope for every winter sports enthusiast on the Arlberg. Around Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken there are numerous blue pistes and beautifully wide family runs.

Around St. Anton, St. Christoph and Stuben, but also in the Warth-Schröcken ski area, there are several ski routes and plenty of free ski space in addition to the groomed slopes. A total of 200 km of deep snow runs come together that make freeriding hearts beat faster. Offers such as the modern avalanche transceiver practice area on the Steffisalp Express in Warth offer the right service.

The Zuger Schafberg near Lech is one of the few spots in Austria where heli-skiing is offered. The descents on the “Mehlsack” are only for real freeride professionals and the helicopter flight with costs in the three-digit range is not exactly cheap either.

But anyone who is sportily and financially equipped for this adventure should not miss this powder pleasure. Our expert rating for the Arlberg therefore gives 5 out of 5 stars in the “Advanced Skiers & Freeriders” category.

Skiing fun on the Arlberg is also not neglected for piste skiers. There are five fun parks, three fun slopes, three speed measurement tracks and seven giant slalom tracks to choose from. Among the snow parks, the “Stanton Park” in the Rendl ski area is the highlight for freestylers and snowboarders.

Very good riders go on the world championship-proven race tracks below the Kapall (2,330 m), while beginners pull their turns on the Gampen. There are several ski schools and children’s areas in the ski area for the little ones. The valley runs lead to Lech, Zürs, Warth, Schröcken and St. Anton. The latter is also the longest in the ski area: it leads from Valluga to St. Anton and is 10 km long.

The selection of varied runs on the Ski Arlberg for young and old is huge,

The three major ski circuits through the ski area are among the sporting highlights on the Arlberg. The best known is the “White Ring” (22 km) to and from Lech, which is considered to be one of the best ski tours in the Alps. The “Tannenbergrunde” is about the villages of Warth and Schröcken and the “Run of Fame” covers all ski resorts in the region over an 85 km long tour.

The legendary ski race “Der weisse Rausch” is also held every year in St. Anton am Arlberg.

The mountain restaurants of the Arlberger Bergbahnen offer free WiFi and sun terraces with unique views over the Verwall group and the Lechtal Alps. The overall very high quality of the slopes is certified with the Vorarlberg and Tyrolean piste seal of approval.

4) Expert evaluation

The Arlberg is undisputedly one of the top ski areas. In our expert overall rating and the customer ratings used, the ski area achieved an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

5) Off-piste activities

After a day of skiing, life shifts to the pedestrian zone, St. Anton’s promenade. There are numerous classy shops, cozy cafes and fine restaurants to discover. At an altitude of 2,100 m, the “Galzig Verwallstube” also attracts visitors as Austria’s highest award-winning restaurant with exceptional delicacies.

If you feel like relaxing more, we recommend the Arlberg WellCom wellness center with three swimming pools as well as a sauna and wellness area.

For mountaineers there is the arl.rock sports and climbing center, where you can also play squash, tennis and football. There is also a trampoline hall and the possibility of ice climbing on the outer wall. In the Rendl ski area above St. Anton there is also the only winter via ferrata in Tyrol: It is 850 meters long, secured with a steel cable and is particularly attractive because of its panoramic view. Around the Arlberg, 81 km of winter hiking trails lead to excursions in the area.

There is a wonderful natural toboggan run at Gampen near St. Anton, the start of which can be reached in a two-hour hike. The toboggan run is 4.3 km long, bridges a height difference of 500 m and is illuminated twice a week in the evening. Further toboggan runs are in Flirsch, Schnann, Pettnau and Strengen.

The classic après-ski with music and partying in particular is legendary in St. Anton and known far beyond Austria’s borders.

The first winter sports enthusiasts meet in the numerous pubs and bars in the early hours of the afternoon.

The selection of ski huts is huge, names like “Krazy Kanguruh” or “Heustadl” are well known and the “Mooserwirt” has cult status. The party continues late in the evening in various bars, pubs and discos.

Après-ski on the Arlberg really has a long tradition. Only 100 years ago people celebrated a bit more dignified in bars and cafés, they appeared in chic robes and danced to sophisticated salon music.

The unique ambience of that time is still celebrated in Lech and Zürs. At the “Tanzcafé Arlberg”, the innkeepers invite you to the most original après-ski at the end of March. For two weeks, international musicians of various genres perform on the sun terraces and in the bars of the elegant Lech and Zürs hotels. Everything from swing to boogie to nu-jazz is played, nostalgic jazz is mixed with driving electro beats and modern pop songs meet vintage sounds.

Entry to the special kind of après-ski is free. In addition, the “New Orleans meets Snow” festival takes place in St. Anton every year in spring. The end of the ski season is ushered in here with classic blues, jazz and soul sounds. Definitely recommended for music lovers among winter sports enthusiasts.

The diverse après-ski offer also receives 5 stars from our experts.

6) Locations in the ski area

The Ski Arlberg region extends over the two federal states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg. The municipality of St. Anton, to which St. Christoph also belongs, is located in Tyrol. The village of St. Christoph is located at 1,765 m directly on the Arlberg Pass and is therefore one of the highest ski resorts in Austria.

Lech with the hamlets of Zürs and Oberlech and the communities of Warth and Schröcken on the neighboring mountain flanks are located in Vorarlberg. The chic Lech is a retreat for a relaxing holiday in a sophisticated flair.

St. Anton is the party hotspot on the Arlberg, where life pulsates and there are many opportunities for going out. Celebrities also like to vacation in both places. Karl Schranz, one of the most successful and well-known former ski racers in Austria, owes the popularity and fame of his hometown St. Anton in particular.

The three-time world champion and “father of the World Cup” made a significant contribution to the fact that St. Anton 2001 hosted the World Ski Championships. St. Anton is characterized above all by its hospitality, cosiness and cosmopolitanism, which is known to Austrians, and especially the mixture of winter sports and relaxation paired with the well-known Tyrolean charm attracts many tourists to the Arlberg.

So every place offers its very own atmosphere. But they all have one thing in common: They allow easy access to the large Ski Arlberg ski area.

7) Arrival in the ski area

St. Anton am Arlberg can be easily reached by car, bus and train. Drivers can get to St. Anton am Arlberg from Bludenz or Landeck via the Arlberg expressway (S16). After Lech, you continue via Stuben and Zürs. In winter it is not possible to drive from Warth to Lech! So the Warth-Schröcken ski area can only be reached via the north, Lech only via the south.

The Austrian railway (ÖBB) runs from all major cities to St. Anton am Arlberg. There are several direct connections daily from Vienna and Zurich. The trains also serve Zurich and Innbruck airports. Railjets, the high-speed trains operated by ÖBB, also stop in St. Anton am Arlberg. The nearest airports are Innsbruck (approx. 95 km), Friedrichshafen (approx. 130 km), Zurich (200 km) and Munich (approx. 230 km).