5 reasons I would choose Lech-Zürs am Arlberg if I had to choose between the best skiing areas in Austria. Definitely the Arlberg or, to be precise, not St. Anton or Stuben am Arlberg, but Lech-Zürs. This year, the journey there fit the standard again, this time in the Volvo XC90, a luxury living space even on the highway.
Peacefulness
You notice it first when it’s late afternoon and you open a window in the hotel – for example, the Zürserhof – and hear only the snow cannons as they produce new snow for the next day. But this isn’t the only kind of peacefulness that you have-it’s even more significant on the slopes. The crowd that’s on the slopes with 6 bottles of beer in their bloodstream by 12 p.m. is happily (still) a rarity on the Arlberg in Lech-Zürs. When you arrive in the spa area of the hotel after a day of skiing, you can round out your day with wonderful, soothing tranquility. Here, relaxing your body and mind is mandatory
The panorama and landscape
“The white ring” is a concept for a majority of passionate skiers. By that, I don’t mean the race, which takes place once a year, but rather the routes themselves. On these routes – a combination of different slopes and ski lifts – completely new glimpses into the wonderful alpine panorama around the Arlberg offer themselves up every few meters. When there’s good weather and sunshine, visibility (for example, from the Rüfikopf) is almost unlimited. Metaphorically speaking, you could say that the white ring revolves around the two towns of Lech and Zürs and sees the mountains from all different sides.
The Zürserhof and its Aureus Spa
Before the Winter season of 2014/15, the Hotel Zürserhof – a 5 Star Superior Hotel – liberally expanded their spa area. Since then, it has been known under the name “Aureus” in the Arlberg. Looking at the numbers, it is probably the largest spa area belonging to a hotel in Lech-Zürs am Arlberg. Well being for body and soul is a motto that is lived here all the time – and that on 5 connected levels with a total of 3,200 square meters. Here, “spa” doesn’t simply mean relaxation for your body, but also for your soul. In any case, in the Aureus, all the foundation stones have been set to greet the end of your vacation – which should definitely be generously scheduled- with a refreshed spirit for the journey home. This is made possible in many ways, such as with light and scent therapy, harmonized to the individual spaces and themes of the Aureus Span in Hotel Zürserhof. On The Vienna Blog, Gregor has looked into the Aureus Spa in detail and inquired closely into its philosophy.
Atmosphere that makes you feel like part of the family
The feeling and ambience of being a guest or just a number makes much more of a difference than many people realize. For me, even more important than breathtakingly great food or the high quality of a room is to be greeted and have the feeling that your host is glad to see you. Especially if it’s like you’re part of the family. Then you feel comfortable, and it’s much easier to relax during your vacation.
Moments after we left, I was already looking forward to coming back next year. Every element of hospitality and warmth that keeps guests coming back is present here. Of course, the feeling and atmosphere doesn’t end when you leave the hotel. In winter, the two towns of Lech and Zürs look as if they were set in cotton in the valley between the mountains. It must be said: everyone should experience it once for themselves. Well, the winter season of 2016/17 isn’t too far away.
Quality, luxury, and condition of the slopes
Really the simplest point of the 5. Although not all ski lifts in Lech-Zürs am Arlberg correspond to the standard of pampering of, for example, Ischgl, all facilities are in top shape. But for me, the means of transportation is not nearly as important as the slopes. So far, I have never seen the slopes of the Arlberg in less than 1A condition – regardless of whether the sun seemed to melt away the snow or it was snowing from early to late.
All pictures were shot on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.
Devilish Tip: pay attention to product placement.
Supported by Volvo Austria with the XC90,
the Hotel Zürserhof am Arlberg.
