Lech is a picturesque alpine mountain village and an exclusive ski resort in the Arlberg region of western Austria, situated between the Vorarlberg and Tirol in the midst of delightful scenery and majestic mountain landscapes.

Lech is best known for its skiing both on and off-piste and is well connected to the neighbouring villages of Zurs, St Christof, St Anton and Stuben via an updated lift system which offers the ultimate in pampered skiing - heated chairlifts!

Lech is also the starting and finishing point for ‘Der Weisse Ring’ (The White Ring), which is a unique ski circular tour connecting the villages of Zurs, Zug and Oberlech for over 50 years. The original ski lifts and ski runs that form part of ‘Der Weisse Ring’ are still at the heart of this region and if you wish to really get those lungs working then why not try the entire tour – total racing time is an hour! Look out for some of the 100 life sized solid cast iron human sculptures which have been placed in the mountains surrounding Lech at an altitude of 2039 metres; these are being displayed until April 2012 and are by the sculptor Antony Gormley.

Snowboarders will be challenged by the off-piste terrain and beginners will be able to initiate themselves to the joy of skiing on the easier slopes.

Oberlech is the exclusive luxury outpost that sits 200 metres above Lech. It is totally ski-in, ski-out and is an immaculate and stylish resort. A cable car links it to Lech just 5 minutes away in the valley.

Immediate access to the slopes of the Lech am Arlberg ski region make it a sensational ski base. Some of the best mountain restaurants can be found in Oberlech and are complete with sun-terraces for topping up that tan!

Since Lech is in the heart of the ski area, many people choose to come off the mountain at lunchtime to eat in the village, where there are a range of meals on offer from a meagre  ‘brettljause, ’ a small snack of cold meats, to high calibre cuisine. You can either ski all day whilst having lunch on the mountain or ski in the morning and then indulge yourself in the many other activities that Lech has to offer.

From shopping in extremely glamorous establishments to sleigh rides, heli-skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, careering down a toboggan run and snow-tubing there is even a sports centre and bowling – it’ll be a wonder if you manage to fit in any skiing at all!