Skiing in Lech, Austria Lech Zurs Tourismus Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment With the kick-off to ski season, Lech, Austria - long favored by royal families - is attracting industry insiders eager to escape Instagram-fueled tourism, paparazzi chaos and overcrowded slopes. "Lech is a favorite of celebrities, athletes and royals thanks to its discreetly luxurious ambiance, abundant powder and 190 miles of groomed slopes," says Lisa Vinderskov of Alpine Adventures, curators of hyper-customized ski vacations around the world. "There's the White Ring - Lech's famous clockwise circular route and lots of challenging off-piste terrain, plus that picture-perfect charm," she tells The Hollywood Reporter. Related Stories Lifestyle Sundance May Depart, But Park City Skiing Has Never Been Better Movies Popularity Growth of Women's Basketball to Be Subject of Doc Feature 'The Moment' (Exclusive) What sets Lech apart from the Rockies is not only the resort's sense of quiet luxury but also the thrill of whooshing from one fairytale village to another in a single afternoon, while largely avoiding media scrutiny. It's this understated atmosphere that has appealed to illustrious visitors over the years, including Chris and Liam Hemsworth, producer/director Matthew Vaughn, Hugh Grant, Olympic Gold Medalist Julia Mancuso, four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel, and royal families galore, including Princess Diana who often vacationed here with William and Harry. Thanks to the resort's absence of press hounds, industry titans even go unnoticed, spared the tabloid frenzy common at U.S. ski resorts. Cradling western Austria near the Swiss border and easily accessible from the Zurich airport, Lech is part of the vast Arlberg ski region - St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Oberlech, Zürs, and Warth‑Schröcken - all seamlessly connected by a network of slopes designed for every ability. Lech is notably easier on the wallet too. "Arlberg lift tickets [around $95] average one-half the cost of U.S. tickets [typically between $184 - $329 in Aspen and Deer Valley]," adds Vinderskov. "Guides, ski lessons and rentals are similarly discounted, and lodging - abundant and aesthetically top-notch, runs one-third to one-half the price of top U.S. resorts, often with half-board meal options (breakfast and dinner) and the use of wellness facilities." Food and beverages are more affordable too. "On-mountain dining offers high-quality, regionally sourced meals at lower prices than North America," she adds. Timeless chalets framed by snow-draped peaks dot the landscape. You won't find towering megabrand hotels here. Thanks to multigeneration-owned properties and significant restrictions on new construction, most of the boutique lodging is individual and family-run. And the crown jewel in the center of town is the whimsical Hotel Post Lech Arlberg, a Relais & Châteaux property that exudes Grimm Brothers flair (from $860). Guests are greeted by a pink-and-dark-brown exterior studded with green shutters. For the past eighty years, the Moosbrugger family has been at the helm. "We feel an emotional connection to this land and share that passion with our guests," proprietor Florian Moosbrugger tells THR. The Arlberg Club House, in Lech, Austria Robert Rieger Inside, old-world grandeur abounds: antler-strewn chandeliers, folkloric carved timber beds, cuckoo clocks, and the cheerful dirndl-draped staff. Still, there's no shortage of modern comforts, including a reinvigorated spa, indoor children's pool, and 15-meter heated outdoor pool with views of the surrounding peaks. The newer wing of rooms blends contemporary heritage with touches of the Tyrolean quirk expected in a historic property. From cozy nooks to haute cuisine, Lech's culinary scene extends across the hamlet. Located at 1,800 meters, Schlegelkopf serves up juicy steaks, a lively Après ski scene and is one of the few restaurants to feature Los Angeles-caliber sushi. Post Lech's Postblick restaurant is a favorite for classic Austrian fare like pan-fried veal Wiener Schnitzel and hearty goulash (beef stew). And both gourmands and design enthusiasts will feel right at home at Jägerstube, the timber-cabin-inspired fine dining retreat where you'll become intimately acquainted with Grüner Veltliner, the region's prized white wine. You could hop on the bus and stroll to the impossibly quaint Gasthaus Älpele dining hut for a lager and the charcuterie board of your dreams, but the more adventurous and quintessentially alpine method of transport is by cross-country ski. After a day on the slopes, there are plenty of other spoils. Stock up on an array of Austrian delicacies like locally crafted gummy candies and salamis at the neighborhood market or head to the mountain top village of Oberlech. Accessible