Zürs
The Arlberg's smallest and most exclusive resort -- 8km from Lech, where the snow falls first.
Our Take
Zürs am Arlberg sits at 1,720 meters on the Flexen Pass, directly below the Arlberg Pass, in a position that catches the first snow from Atlantic systems moving east. The Arlberg's legendary 8-9 meters of annual snowfall hits Zürs before it hits St. Anton or Lech, and the village's 1,200-person capacity (one of the smallest serious ski resorts in the Alps) means the terrain is never crowded in the way that its more famous Arlberg neighbors can be. Zürs connects to Lech via the Madloch area and the Weissberg, forming part of the Ski Arlberg 305km network. The village has 16 hotels and virtually no other commercial development -- this is a purpose-built luxury enclave with the specific character of somewhere that never grew beyond its original intention. The terrain above Zürs, particularly the Trittkopf and Hexenboden areas, has sustained powder skiing that the local guides will take you through in ways the piste map doesn't fully represent. For Arlberg powder culture without the famous-name price premium of Lech or the size of St. Anton, Zürs is the inside choice.
Nerd Stats
Ski Arlberg Total
305km
Avg Annual Snowfall
315"
Village Capacity
~1,200
Summit Elevation
9,222'
Fun Facts
- Zürs is one of the smallest ski resorts in the Alps by village capacity -- about 1,200 overnight guests maximum, which keeps the mountain ratio in your favor.
- The Flexen Pass road to Zürs is closed by avalanche risk 6-8 times per winter -- stranding guests overnight in the valley, which they apparently accept as part of the deal.
- The Arlberg is the most snow-reliable zone in the European Alps by consistent 10-year average -- Zürs typically records the highest accumulations in the region.
- Zürs has 16 hotels and is connected to the Ski Arlberg 305km network via the Madloch lift -- it punches above its size on every quality metric.