The Arlberg ski area in Austria has been attracting skiers for generations. Over the past few years the resort of St Anton has been stealing the limelight as the number one party destination in Austria. Lech however is happy for its close neighbour to take this crown. They are content to attract a different crowd, that of the discerning luxury skier. Lech is known as one of the most luxurious ski resorts in the Alps.

So what are the key ingredients of a luxury ski resort. What makes you stand out from the thousands of other ski resorts to attract people who enjoy the finer things in life?

 

Gourmet Cuisine

What luxury ski area would be complete without luxury eateries and restaurants. In 2008 Lech was named “World Gourmet Village” at the Vöslauer-Falstaff Awards. 8 years have passed since Lech won this award and more fine dining restaurants have been added since. Lech is amongst the top culinary resorts in the Alps. Its outstanding restaurants attract connoisseurs of good food from all over the world.

The LöffelWeise which is literally translated to “by the spoonful” series of events, now in its eighth season, guarantees imaginative and aesthetic creations that work in perfect harmony with selected wines. The original idea of the initiators of LöffelWeise was to create a culinary exchange between the chefs working in the region’s restaurants, as well as with international guest chefs. Now the gourmet series has outgrown this intended knowledge transfer and brings together sommeliers, vintners and consultants from all over the world in a jovial atmosphere. The hearts and palates of food connoisseurs always delight in the concentrated taste experience of these themed evenings.

Two restaurants worth an extra special mention are the Schaulhus and Hûs Nr. 8.

The Schaulhus is a recently refurbished school house in the small village of Zug, just a short drive from the centre of Lech. The restaurant is best know for its stunning 12 – 15 course meal produced using local ingredients. This meal is held at  the chefs table. The chefs table is a large table surrounding the kitchen area where you can watch at close hand the professional chef in action.

The Hûs Nr. 8 is almost 300 years old. It has been restored to its original condition and they serve traditional dishes from old Walser recipes, tempting delicacies of Austrian cuisine; meat and cheese fondue as well as Raclette, hot stone, and other local delicacies. Although not necessarily fine dining the restaurant is perfect for those looking to try traditional Austrian dishes in a cosy environment.

 

Large Ski Area With Modern Ski Lifts

Most of us look for a wide and varied ski area when choosing the best resort for a luxury ski holiday and Lech has just that. Being part of the Arlberg ski area, skiers in Lech are treated to over 350km of exciting terrain and pistes. This makes the Arlberg larger than the Espace Killy, Frances ski area containing the resort of Tignes and Val d’Isere.

It’s not just the groomed slopes that attract Europe’s elite to the Arlberg. The Arlberg region has for many years been regarded as one of the best off-piste regions in the Alps. The slopes tend to be a little more challenging than its French counterparts but in Lech the beauty of long tree-lined routes heading through traditional alpine villages mean that the Arlberg is a ski area that many loyal visitors don’t like to shout about through fear it will attract large crowds and spoil the tranquillity of the area.

Investment in the Arlberg has been huge in terms of adding the most modern and newest ski lifts. Read our blog on the New lifts opening in the Arlberg for more information on this.

The White Ring in Lech offers something unusual for the skier who is looking for a new challenge. The White Ring is a circuit for winter sports enthusiasts. It presents an alpine challenge with roughly 22 km of skiing pistes, 5,500 m of difference in altitude and some great views and sightseeing platforms along the way. You can’t head to Lech without taking to The White Ring.

 

Other Activities to Enjoy

In Lech there are plenty of great activities to ensure your luxury ski holiday doesn’t leave you feeling bored and dejected. There are lots of pastimes to participate in that you don’t need a lift pass for.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides offer you an alpine activity that many people picture in their minds when thinking about a ski resort. The experience often uses all senses to leave you feeling relaxed. From listening to the rhythm of the horses hooves and jingle of their bells to feeling the snowflakes fall upon your uncovered skin, this is a great activity for all ages and can be experienced by daylight or under the beauty of the stars.

Why not partake in the Mercedes Benz off road experience? Here you will take the finest off-road offerings from the prestigious Mercedes-Benz brand through a series of rugged mountain obstacles to test the car to its full potential, all experienced in a luxurious and comfortable environment.

Lech is the only resort in Austria which offers dedicated Heli Skiing packages and as it is widely seen as one of the best destinations worldwide for off-piste skiing, is there a better place in Europe to experience such a thrill? They have two great peaks to enjoy. For advanced skiers you can take on the Mehlsack whilst intermediate skiers can still enjoy the experience by taking on the Schneetäli-Orgelscharte.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjRQKVsgR8Y

Lech has its fair share of luxury shops, from Jewellers and clothes boutiques to artisan bakeries and gift shops. Lech is has a great mix between large international brands like Swarovski and smaller independent clothes boutiques and jewellers.

The most famous store in Lech is the luxury department store Strolz. Strolz houses luxury international brands from throughout the world and even houses a sport shop where your ski boots can be custom fitted for ultimate comfort.

One thing is for sure, fashion will not be a problem in Lech.

 

Luxury Ski Chalets in Lech

Lech has some fantastic luxury chalets to chose from. All of them have been built using wood to maintain the traditional ambience and alpine style of the resort.

Chalet 1597 gets its name from the year that it was originally built. The chalet is set out over three floors, sleeping a total of 12 guests in five spacious en-suite bedrooms. The chalet has a large terrace which enjoys sun throughout the day and stunning vistas of the mountains. This unique and enchanting property has been lovingly refurbished throughout and its owners have thoughtfully retained many of the original features. Sumptuous fabrics and furniture have been combined with antique pieces to create a very chic but charming Alpine home. 

Chalet Uberhaus is one of Lech’s most prestigious luxury properties. Nestled in the exclusive enclave of Oberlech with breath-taking views of the surrounding peaks and ski-in, ski-out location.

The height of alpine chic, the combination of contemporary mixed with traditional and soft furnishings creates a very elegant and sophisticated mountain retreat.
The Chalet Uberhaus sleeps a total of ten adults and six children. The chalet’s relaxation area and spa is equipped with an outdoor hot tub, sauna, Hammam, fitness area, massage room, snooker room, bar, library, and a cinema.

Chalet N combines the truly authentic sense of pure nature of the Arlberg with exceptional luxury to create a unique experience. Accommodating 18 adults and 4 children the Chalet N is set amidst stunning, unspoilt mountain views, the chalet features large bedrooms and living spaces, luxurious bathrooms, an exceptional spa and wellness area, and offers first class standards of service and cuisine.

The use of the regions traditional building materials and exceptional soft furnishings have been combined with cutting edge technology to create a unique environment. In a secluded location you will feel close to nature and enjoy peace and tranquillity. Exceptional gourmet cuisine is served by highly trained professionals to offer a true culinary experience. Chalet N is not just one of Lech’s most luxurious chalets but one of the most luxurious chalets worldwide.

So with a great ski area, lots to see and do and some of the best luxury ski chalets in Austria, Lech really does have it all to be the ultimate destination for a luxury chalet holiday. Lech will forever be in the shadow of St Anton in terms of party atmosphere but by no means does that mean that you can’t enjoy a spot of apres in Lech. It just means that those that of you do decide to indulge will tend to be in a more sophisticated crowd. Lech is happy to be the luxury resort in the Arlberg, a title that the resort embraces and a reason that the resort should be top of the list for your next luxury Austrian ski holiday.

If you want to know more about Lech or are interested in booking one of the beautiful chalets listed in the blog then send us an email or call us on +44 (0)1202 203653.