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Travel journalists often have many curious stories to tell. For those who were there, the surprising offer from the tourism manager of the Arlberg in Tyrol, Austria, to a well-known travel editor, who wanted to know which ski resort the tourism manager would consider the most beautiful in the Alps, will probably remain etched in memory forever. The latter of the pair, spontaneously grabbed his car key, offered it to the travel journalist and said: "I put my car at your disposal, take a look around for yourself, and if you find a more beautiful ski resort than the Arlberg, my car is yours."
This anecdote is still fondly told between travel journalists to this day. It is a scene that happened a decade ago. Incidentally, the journalist at the time did not accept the tourism manager's audacious offer - he decided he would rather stay there with his colleagues and drive down the deep snow-covered slopes with them. The story shows how much commitment and self-confidence the people in the Arlberg region have for their work for tourism - and perhaps there really is no more beautiful ski area in the Alps than the slopes in St. Anton, St. Christoph, Zürs, Lech and Stuben which belong to the Arlberg. But as with art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What the Arlberg ski area has to offer, however, is certainly enough to impress the eye of many a beholder.
ARLBERG - AUSTRIA'S LARGEST CONTIGUOUS SKI AREA
In any case, one thing is officially confirmed: The Arlberg is the largest contiguous ski area in Austria and one of the five largest in the world. More than 300 kilometres of slopes are available covering over 750 hectares. Additionally, you can explore the high alpine winter landscape on around 200 kilometres of deep snow slopes. A total of 88 cable cars and lifts provide access to the extensive ski area.
Both beginners and demanding winter sports enthusiasts get their money's worth here. Lech Zürs offers incomparable deep-snow fun. There is hardly any other place in the Alps where you can experience the pinnacle of skiing in such variety. Tourers trudge through untouched nature, enjoy the majestically varied landscape on the ascent and the turns in the glistening powder snow on the descent back into the valley.
Lech Zürs is also a paradise for freeriders. The US production company "Warren Miller Productions" used this for their daring ski film "Wintervention". In breathtaking perfection, the best freeriders in the world chase through the high alpine snow landscape of Lech Zürs. Lorraine Huber, one of the top stars of the scene and 2017 Freeride World Champion, also loves to train in her hometown of Lech. She is the official ambassador of Lech Zürs and carries (and promotes) the name out into the world. If that's not adventure enough for you, you can experience a very special adventure on the Arlberg: Heliskiing is arguably the ultimate snow fun and in Austria is only offered in Lech Zürs.
ALMHOF-SCHNEIDER: BEST HOTEL IN AUSTRIA 2022
Lech Zürs am Arlberg is one of the pioneering sites of winter sports. For more than 100 years it has been one of the top winter sports destinations in the Alps: perfect tourist infrastructure paired with warm hospitality amid a paradisiacal landscape? -- that is Lech Zürs. This holiday region is one of the most innovative tourism regions of all and thus sets the standards time and again. Tradition and modernity, identity and innovation are harmoniously combined on the Arlberg. A sense of pride combined with the openness to the wishes and desires of the guests shape the self-image of the population. Here it really is "more space, more time". It is no wonder, then, that Lech Zürs belongs to the select circle of the twelve "Best Alpine" places.
And not only that: with the 5-star "Almhof Schneider" hotel, Lech also has the best hotel in Austria in 2022. Those who check into the five-star superior vitality resort in Oberlech am Arlberg at 1,700 metres above sea level are already very close to heaven.
KITZBÜHEL - THE SPORTS CAPITAL OF THE ALPS
Kitzbühel skillfully combines the contrasts of cosmopolitan lifestyle and idyllic nature, rustic tradition and modern lifestyle: The "Sports Capital of the Alps" became world-famous through the legendary Hahnenkamm Race, but that is only one facet of the Kitzbühel legend. It is the incomparable charm of the region, the excellent infrastructure offering top hotels and gastronomy, the multitude of sports opportunities and the fascinating landscape that make Kitzbühel unique.
Kitzbühel also offers varied terrain away from the famous stretch of the Streif race track. Beginners and professionals alike can take their turns on 233 kilometres of slopes. The best way to enjoy the Kitzbühel lifestyle is to take a stroll through the 750-year-old town centre. A multitude of boutiques and shops will make your shopping loving heart beat faster. It doesn't always have to be the ski slopes that makes Kitzbühel unforgettable.
LEGENDARY STREIF AND THE GANSLERN SLOPE
One word, one legend: Streif! The most spectacular downhill run in the world can be conquered in the winter as well as in summer. But be careful: if you want to follow in the footsteps of the world's best skiers, you should be a very experienced skier. The key sections of the Streif, such as the Mausefalle, the steep slope or the Hausbergkante, are marked as "Extreme Skiing". But pleasure skiers can also have their own racing experience: On the "Family Streif" you can get a taste of World Cup air at a leisurely pace, as the most difficult sections are omitted. Beginners can try their hand on the "Mini-Streif", a skills course at the foot of the Hahnenkamm downhill run. Another highlight of the Kitzbühel ski area is the "Ganslernhang". You can emulate the technical skills of the professionals on one of the last classic slalom courses in the World Cup.
ALPINE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Kitzbühel's town centre with its short distances is considered the perfect ambience for shopping in the Alps. In the shop windows, you will discover international brands and Kitzbühel "fashion originals" such as Sportalm, Frauenschuh, Franz Prader or Helmut Eder. Exploring the handicraft businesses of the Kitzbühler Masters’ Guild is also worth the visit.
INDULGENCE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL
The culinary journey through the region leads from traditional local dishes to international gourmet cuisine. Down-to-earth fare awaits you in the mountain huts or in the rustic inns, while the culinary elite conjures up exquisite culinary delights in the gourmet restaurants. When it comes to culinary delights, the Gamsstadt always retains its authenticity and sense of tradition. The ten restaurants in the area (who were awarded a total of 13 Gault-Millau toques,) will surely whet your appetite.
GSTAAD - A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES
Gstaad - the mountain village in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland invites its guests under the motto "Come up - slow down". In addition to skiing on more than 220 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, numerous activities and experiences await its guests in the destination of Gstaad. Gourmets can get their money's worth in the destination's 100 restaurants, while cross-country skiing fans will find a varied network of trails awaiting them.
The Gstaad ski area is the only glacier ski area in the Bernese Oberland, and rising to an altitude of over 3,000 metres is considered extremely snow-assured. From the end of October until often into May, nothing stands in the way of six continuous months of skiing and winter sports fun.
TOP HOTELS AND AN IGLOO VILLAGE WITH ICE SCULPTURES
With its top hotels such as "The Alpina Gstaad", gourmet restaurants, luxury chalets and the nearby Saanen Airport, from which the charter company "Haute Avation" flies its private jets all over the world, the traffic-free holiday village is a popular destination for international celebrities. In the neighbouring villages of Saanen, Schönried, Saanenmöser, Zweisimmen, Gsteig, Lauenen, Feutersoey, Turbach and Abländschen, however, Saanenland offers a much broader spectrum: the nature reserve on idyllic Lake Lauenen with its waterfalls and high moors, the narrow streets in the historic village centre of Saanen or the tranquillity of the dreamy mountain village of Abländschen are just a few examples of the extremely diverse destination.
The Olden Hotel, owned by Bernie Ecclestone, stands out in the town centre. High above Gstaad towers this legendary Palace Hotel. Below the mountain station is the Igloo Village, which is built anew every year. It takes 2,000 hours of work to complete, before the hotel welcomes its guests. In each of the "rooms" an ice sculpture is modelled into the walls and the beds look quite cosy. If it's too cold, you can warm up in the Jacuzzi or sauna and then cool off in the cold snow. Breakfast is served in the mountain restaurant.
ALPINE AUTHENTICITY, PROUDLY CULTIVATED TRADITION
The Gstaad region is considered one of the top luxury destinations in Switzerland. Here, guests experience excellent quality and a wide range of encompassing offers. Alpine authenticity, proudly cultivated traditions and a touch of glamour give this destination that special flair that sets Gstaad apart from the rest of the world. Despite the enormous prestige of the brand, Gstaad has found a way to remain grounded.
Gstaad owes its world fame not only to its international schools such as "L'Institut Le Rosey" or the "John F. Kennedy School in Saanen". The car-free shopping mile in the village is home to numerous upscale market boutiques and premium luxury brands. The village's own airfield for arrivals and departures and six heliskiing landing pads don’t serve to hide the fact that guests here are treated with the utmost discretion.
The slogan "Come up, slow down" is the mantra here. The slogan "Come up, slow down" is the mantra here. The destination of Gstaad offers its guests a diverse range of wellness experiences with seven specialized wellness hotels, numerous other hotels with extensive wellness infrastructure, the Gstaad Sports Center and exceptional nature experiences.
