Arlberg
St. Anton + St. Christoph + Stuben + Zurs + Lech
100 years ago, royals and aristocrats from all over Europe flocked here to learn skiing, and let loose. Famed as the cradle of Alpine skiing, it's still a mecca for those seeking the ultimate snow and party experience. Over 175 miles of groomed trails and endless expanses of white powder are connected by 87 lifts and cableways, making the Arlberg one of the top 5 ski destinations on Earth. Follow your guide off the groomers and find solitude among the peaks and valleys, where infinite folds of virgin snow beckon. Travel from village to village through a world frozen in time. Scale a mountaintop, drop into a hidden couloir for an exhilarating return, then unwind with a few drinks at one of the area's world-famous apres ski destinations.
Highlights: The cradle of skiing. World's best apres ski. Great restaurants. Suitable for all levels of skiers. Abundance of terrain. Easy access to spectacular off piste runs.
The History
Skiing as we know it was basically invented here. Legend has it the parish priest of Lech, perhaps after one too many glasses of schnapps, strapped on a pair of wood slats and took his first run down a mountain slope in 1895.
Those who followed - young locals from obscure farming towns high in the Austrian Alps - took skiing from a regional curiosity to the worldwide sport it is today. Hermann Hartmann, who climbed the Galzig for the first time on skis in 1899. Professor Karl Gruber. Max Madlener. And of course the legendary Hannes Schneider, inventor of the Arlberg Technique, who was born and raised in Stuben, the son of a cheese maker.
If you love the sport - and you probably do since you're still poking around our website - a trip to St Anton am Arlberg, the "Cradle of Alpine Skiing," has to be on your bucket list. For more on the Arlberg, here are some useful links:
Circa 1930
Zillertal
Mayrhofen + Zell am Ziller + Gerlos
Mayrhofen pretty much has it all. This is a quaint Austrian village with strong Alpine traditions. It is located in a snow-safe valley with a high-quality network of lifts connecting numerous ski areas and terrain for all levels of experience. The food is terrific and the apres ski, second-to-none. For those wishing to challenge themselves off the groomers, there's exceptional off-piste skiing, even in summer. We've skied powder here in August! But you'll probably want to wait until the season gets going as the area is well-known for its traditional music (inspired by The Sound of Music) and night-time festivities. It's very easy to get away from the crowds and best to do so with a guide to show you the way.
Highlights: Always a lot of snow. Mayerhofen is quintessentially Austrian. Austrian music (“umpa band”) for après ski. Great terrain for advanced skiers.
Kitzbuhel
Kitzbuhel + Sankt Johann +”Leogang”
The historic Hahnenkam-renn downhill competition is probably the most legendary ski race in the world, and it finishes in Kitzbuhel. Kitzbuhel is a quaint but upscale and very exclusive town, with many fine restaurants and bars. There are 10 ski areas within 30 minutes of town, all offering spectacular vistas and terrain suitable for every level of skier. While here, you must treat yourself to fun activities such as torch-light toboggan dinners, and horse drawn sleigh rides to remote mountain huts. Everyone will have a great time in this area.
Highlights: Abundant terrain for endless skiing. The energy in town during the WC-downhill is unique on the ski racing circuit. Relatively small ( 3000 ft vertical drop) mountains allow fast traveling from one area to the next. Great mountain food.