Skiing in Lech

Lech, the village patronised by old aristocracy and new money, shares an underrated ski “circus” with the resorts of Zürs and Zug and recently extended to the area above the village of Warth.

The main village skiing is on the slopes visible above the main street, but we will start with the route into Zürs, which can only be taken in one direction by using the Rüfikopf cable cars which rise from behind the tourist office.

After admiring the views from the restaurant at the top station, skiers have a choice of a red or blue run to the connecting Schüttboden draglift which then links in to the Trittalp chair above Zürs. This chair and the Hexenboden lift offer undemanding intermediate runs while the Trittkopf cable car further over on the same side of the valley has lengthier and more demanding red runs. This is also the connection to the Flexenbahn gondola from Alpe Ruez, which provides the long-awaited connection to the Stuben-St Christoph area.

Across the valley lies the Madloch area and the return to Lech and Zug, but, before heading back, skiers should sample the open slopes above the village and the spectacular red run 10 through the Zürser Täli from the top of the Muggengrat chairlift.

The return to the other areas is eventually made via the Madloch chairlift and down one of the ski routes on the other side. All are within the competence of intermediate skiers, with 33 and 32 heading down into the pretty Zug valley and 56 heading back through lovely scenery to the top end of Lech (and a short walk through the hotels to the connecting lifts). The ski routes down from the area above Lech into Zug can be seen on the opposite side of the valley as well as the Zugerberg cable car which returns skiers into the main area above Lech.

Finally, the most popular areas in Lech are the gentle and popular slopes above the village. The Schlegelkopf chairlifts head up from the village centre, with the Oberlech cable car and the Schlosskopf chairlift providing alternate access to the slopes further along the area.

Once on the slopes, a somewhat confusing jumble of chairs provides access into a surprising variety of runs. The Kriegerhorn chairlift offers the visible and demanding black routes down the face as well as an easier link to the Zug ski routes. Further over, a group of three chairlifts meet up in the middle of an enjoyable group of intermediate runs. The Hasensprung chairlift also gives the option of heading over to the Steinmähder chairlift through photogenic scenery.

The lowest of this group of lifts – the Weibermahd chairlift – has been supplemented by the Auenfeldjet gondola. The former chairlift bottom station has now become the mid-station for the new connecting gondola which heads over towards the Auenfeld part of the Warth ski area. More information about the skiing on this side of the area is available on our Warth page.

Don’t forget that the Arlberg ski pass also offers access to the skiing in St Anton!

Lech-Zürs-Warth Ski Area Review:
Lech for the Beginner Skier

• Lech is surprisingly good for those who are just starting out on skis. Hotels and guesthouses are near the ski slopes and there are even ski-in ski-out options in Oberlech. Ski instruction is of a high standard and, if you are looking for a luxury beginner ski holiday with no expense spared, then Lech would be a perfect option.

Lech for the Intermediate Skier

• Intermediate skiers who love to get kilometres under their belt will fall in love with the mountains and slopes around Lech. Plenty of blue and red runs leading off in all directions and even a couple of harder reds and blacks if you feel more adventurous. Probably the closest that you are going to get to the equivalent of the massive interlinked ski areas in other countries, but with picturesque villages and high standards of service and accommodation.

Lech for the Advanced Skier

• Expert skiers will also love the Arlberg region, although some might feel happier with the ‘hardened skier’ buzz in nearby St Anton (which is also where a lot of the tough runs are located). Still there is plenty both on and off the slopes to keep an advanced skier happy for a week’s break.