A Luxe Chalet With a Fabulous Spa and Amenities Overlooking OberlechN°001
Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Austria
Ski-in/ski-out
From $29,492 per night
Photo by creativexmarieLech Zürs am Arlberg is Austria's most exclusive ski destination, a pair of high Alpine villages in Vorarlberg renowned for deep snow, refined hospitality and discreet glamour. Renting a luxury chalet here pairs ski-in ski-out access with private spas, log fires and dedicated concierge support.
- Part of the vast Ski Arlberg area, Austria's largest connected ski region
- Famously snow-sure villages above 1,400 metres with a long winter season
- Ski-in ski-out chalets with private spas, saunas and open fires
- Michelin-starred and gourmet dining within compact, walkable villages
- Quieter, greener summers ideal for high-Alpine hiking and cycling
Known forExclusive Alpine skiing, deep reliable snow, refined chalet hospitality and the Arlberg ski area
Best time to visitDecember to April for skiing; July and August for Alpine hiking and cooler summers
Nearest airportZürich (ZRH) and Innsbruck (INN), with Friedrichshafen and Memmingen also serving the region
Ideal forDiscerning skiers, families and private groups seeking privacy and ski-in ski-out luxury
A Luxurious Chalet In The Heart Of Austrian AlpsN°002
Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Austria
Ski-in/ski-out
From $7,366 per night
Stylish Alpine Residence With Indoor Pool AccessN°003
Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Austria
Spa
From $6,134 per night
Bright Alpine Chalet With Gym and SpaN°004
Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Austria
Spa
From $5,942 per night
Alpine Grand Haven In St. AntonN°005
Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Austria
Private pool
From $5,814 per night
St. Anton Elevated Alpine EscapeN°006
Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Austria
Private pool
From $5,814 per night
33homes available
2–10bedrooms
up to 22guests
2with a pool
Lech Zürs am Arlberg in pictures
Events not to miss in Lech Zürs am Arlberg
- Mid-January
Der Weisse Ring race
A thousand skiers race the legendary 22-kilometre White Ring circuit linking Lech, Zürs, Zug and Oberlech in a single morning. The village celebrates around it whether you race or watch.
- Late March to mid-April
Tanzcafé Arlberg Music Festival
Spring skiing pairs with live swing, jazz and soul on sun terraces across Lech and Zürs. An elegant, unhurried way to close the season.
- Early July
Arlberg Classic Car Rally
Vintage motor cars tour the Arlberg's alpine passes from a base in Lech over a summer weekend. The paddock in the village centre is worth a stroll in itself.
- September
Philosophicum Lech
Leading thinkers gather in Lech for several days of public lectures and debate on a single philosophical theme. A distinctly Lech blend of mountain air and ideas.
Lech Zürs am Arlberg through the seasons
- Winter (December – April)
Deep snow on the Arlberg
One of the Alps' snowiest and most exclusive ski regions, with 300 kilometres of linked pistes and celebrated off-piste terrain. Ski-in chalets with spa floors define the season.
- Spring (April – June)
Sun terraces, then alpine quiet
The season winds down with Tanzcafé's spring skiing before the village rests and meadows emerge. A tranquil window between the two seasons.
- Summer (July – August)
High-alpine hiking and green luxury
Marked trails such as the Green Ring, mountain biking and cool air at 1,450 metres make Lech a refined summer retreat. Ideal for families escaping lowland heat.
- Autumn (September – November)
Golden larches and first snows
Clear September days suit final hikes and the Philosophicum's lectures before early snow dusts the peaks. The quietest, most contemplative time on the Arlberg.
The Area
Lech Zürs am Arlberg sits high in Austria's Vorarlberg, on the western side of the Arlberg pass that divides Vorarlberg from Tyrol. Lech lies in a broad valley at around 1,450 metres, while neighbouring Zürs is smaller, higher and more secluded. Together they form one of the Alps' most prestigious resorts, long favoured by European royalty and considered the cradle of Alpine skiing. The two villages are linked to Oberlech, St Anton, St Christoph and Stuben within the Ski Arlberg network. Lower in the valley, the town of Bludenz serves as a regional gateway with rail connections. The setting is classically Alpine: timber chalets, snow-laden roofs and surrounding peaks, with a deliberately understated, low-rise character that keeps the villages intimate.
Where to Stay in Luxury Chalets
Smiling House offers a curated collection of luxury chalets in Lech Zürs am Arlberg, chosen for location, privacy and craftsmanship. Many sit directly on the slopes for true ski-in ski-out convenience, while others occupy quieter hillside positions with valley views. Lech itself suits those who want walkable access to boutiques, restaurants and the river; sunny Oberlech, reached by lift, offers a car-free pocket above the main village; and Zürs appeals to guests seeking seclusion and immediate access to the lifts. Expect chalets with private wellness areas, saunas, ski rooms and generous living spaces around open fires. Our concierge team arranges private chefs, ski instructors, transfers and in-resort logistics, so the chalet functions as a fully serviced Alpine home.
Things to Do
Skiing is the heart of Lech Zürs. The villages anchor the Ski Arlberg area, the largest connected ski region in Austria, with extensive pistes, deep off-piste terrain and the celebrated White Ring circuit linking Lech, Zürs, Zug and Oberlech. Snow reliability is exceptional thanks to altitude and exposure. Beyond the slopes there is cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and winter walking on cleared paths. In summer the same mountains open for hiking, e-biking and gentle valley strolls, with lifts running to high trailheads. Spa and wellness culture runs deep, and several chalets and hotels offer indoor pools, saunas and treatments for restorative afternoons after the snow.
Dining and Nightlife
For its size, Lech Zürs has a remarkable concentration of fine dining, including Michelin-recognised kitchens and mountain restaurants serving refined Alpine and international cuisine. Lunch on the slopes is an event in itself, with sunny terraces and accomplished cooking at altitude. Evenings tend toward the elegant rather than the raucous: candlelit dinners, wine cellars and intimate bars rather than large clubs, in keeping with the resort's discreet character. Many guests prefer to dine privately in their chalet, and our concierge can arrange a private chef to cook seasonal menus paired with Austrian wines. Après-ski exists but is more polished and contained than in louder neighbouring resorts.
When to Visit
The winter season typically runs from early December to late April, with the deepest, most reliable snow from January through March. Festive weeks and February school holidays are the busiest and most glamorous; late season offers long, sunny days and quieter pistes. Outside winter, the resort largely pauses in late spring and autumn, when many businesses close. July and August bring a green, peaceful high-Alpine landscape ideal for hiking and cycling, with cool mountain air and far fewer visitors. Choose winter for skiing and the full social scene, and high summer for tranquillity and the outdoors.
Getting There
Lech Zürs am Arlberg is well connected despite its mountain setting. Zürich airport is a common gateway and within a comfortable road transfer, while Innsbruck is closer and Friedrichshafen and Memmingen also serve the region. By rail, the nearest mainline stations are Langen am Arlberg and St Anton am Arlberg, with onward transfer up to the villages; Bludenz in the valley is another useful rail point. The final approach climbs the Arlberg road, which is maintained through winter though conditions can vary. Our concierge arranges private airport and station transfers, so guests arrive at the chalet door without managing the logistics of the mountain road themselves.