Oberlech Ski Resort

Oberlech is one of the most exclusive ski villages in the Alps. This car-free hamlet sits 200m above its famous neighbour, Lech, and in winter can only be reached by cable car or on skis. The extra altitude brings better snow and quieter slopes, and with ski-in ski-out hotels clustered right on the piste, no traffic and a dedicated ski kindergarten, it’s a favourite with families looking for luxury without the crowds.

Right from the doorstep, you can explore 305km of pistes and over 85 lifts across the Arlberg ski area, with links to St. Anton, Zürs and Warth-Schröcken. The gentle slopes above the village are ideal for beginners, while a short lift ride opens up Lech’s more demanding terrain, including the powder bowls below the Zuger Hochlicht and the mogul fields under the Kriegerhornbahn. With a season running from early December to mid-April and reliable, high-altitude snow, it’s a superb choice for skiers of every level.

After a day on the slopes, our experts particularly recommend Hotel Goldener Berg, with its cosy spa and ski-in ski-out access, or The Arula Chalets, a pair of ultra-luxury ski-in ski-out chalets with private pools and butler service. Our ski experts are here to help you find the perfect Oberlech ski package. Contact our team or browse our latest ski deals to start your Oberlech skiing adventure.

Oberlech: Core Highlights & Key Advantages

Car-Free & Ski-In Ski-Out

Oberlech is entirely traffic-free, with hotels and chalets built directly onto the piste. You can click into your skis at the door.

Snow-Sure at Altitude

Sitting 200m above Lech at 1,650m, with skiing up to 2,811m, Oberlech holds its snow later into the season than most Arlberg villages.

Family-First, Without the Crowds

A dedicated ski kindergarten, gentle beginner slopes right in the village, and none of the queues you'd find in bigger resorts.

Gateway to the Arlberg

A short cable car puts you into 305km of connected terrain across Lech, Zürs, Warth-Schröcken and St. Anton.

Oberlech Transfer Time

Innsbruck
Map Marker 1h 30m
Friedrichshafen
Map Marker 1h 45m
Zurich
Map Marker 2h 0m

Best For...

  • Families
  • Snow sure conditions
  • Stylish resort
  • Uncrowded slopes
WHAT OUR EXPERTS SAY

Oberlech is the Arlberg at its most peaceful. I spent a season working in Lech and always found myself heading up to Oberlech on a powder day, because the snow sits so much better up there. It's quieter, it's car-free, and you can ski straight out of your hotel door. If you love moguls and off-piste like I do, the runs off Kriegerhorn are unmissable.

James Eliot
James E
Key Account Manager

Resort Statistics

  • Resort Altitude 1,650m
  • Skiing Altitude 2,811m
  • Total Ski Area 305km
  • Lifts 97
  • Blue Runs 133km
  • Red Runs 135km
  • Black Runs 37km
  • Cross Country 23km

How Ski Solutions Can Make Your Holiday Perfect

Oberlech Ski Accommodation

Our collection of Oberlech ski accommodation has been hand-picked by our ski experts. Whether you’re looking for a luxury escape, a boutique hotel or something suitable for the whole family, our experts would be delighted to help you find the perfect accommodation for your ski holiday.

Ski accommodation
Whole Chalet
Ski Areas in Oberlech

Ski Areas in Oberlech

Oberlech is in a ski-in ski-out location, which is ideal for getting around the vast ski area of the Arlberg. There are brilliant beginner slopes near the main village which are used by the local ski kindergarten regularly. Only a short lift away is Lech, which has fantastic ski terrain. The slopes are best suited to intermediates, with wide-open blues and reds to cruise on. On top of this, there’s superb off-piste skiing to enjoy in Lech.

  • Ski-in ski-out from most hotels and chalets in the village
  • Gentle beginner slopes immediately above Oberlech, ideal for young or new skiers
  • Short cable car link down to Lech’s more extensive intermediate and advanced terrain
  • Full connectivity across the Arlberg to Zürs, Warth-Schröcken and St. Anton
  • Uncrowded pistes compared with the valley resorts below
Skiing in Oberlech

Skiing in Oberlech

The Arlberg ski area is one of the most impressive ski destinations in the Alps. It is the crown jewel of Austrian skiing with an incredible 305km of slopes to explore that has something for everyone. It is also the largest place in Europe for lift-served off-piste skiing. There is a state-of-the-art lift network that connects ski resorts St. Anton, Zürs, Warth-Schröcken and neighbours, Lech.

  • 305km of slopes across 97 lifts
  • 133km of blue runs, ideal for beginners and families
  • 135km of red runs for confident intermediates
  • 37km of black runs plus some of Europe’s best lift-served off-piste
  • Snow-sure high-altitude skiing up to 2,811m
Snowboarding in Oberlech

Snowboarding in Oberlech

No matter what level of snowboarder you are, Oberlech is a great destination to ride. There are great slopes to learn on near the main village. A short lift ride away is Lech, which has brilliant powder pockets to drop into if you love off-piste. Freestylers will enjoy the amazing 80-metre half pipe and fantastic fun park. There’s also a boarder-cross course for those who love a race.

  • Gentle, wide slopes near the village for beginners
  • Fun park with a half-pipe and boxes located under the Schlegelkopf lifts
  • Natural terrain features and powder bowls for advanced riders
  • Short lift access to Lech’s more varied riding terrain
  • Uncrowded pistes make for easier, calmer progression
Ski Schools in Oberlech

Ski Schools in Oberlech

Oberlech offers lessons for all abilities, from first-time skiers to those refining their technique. Book your ski lessons early during peak weeks to secure your preferred instructor.

Crèches in Oberlech

Crèches in Oberlech

Oberlech is set up with young families firmly in mind, with dedicated childcare and ski tuition for the smallest guests.

  • Kinderclub Oberlech cares for children aged 2 to 6
  • Ski lessons can be added for children aged 3 to 6
  • Googie’s babysitting agency offers flexible, highly trained childcare
  • Ski kindergarten located right in the village; no transfers needed
  • Ideal for families wanting a relaxed, low-hassle ski trip
Restaurants in Oberlech

Restaurants in Oberlech

As a small satellite village, most of Oberlech’s dining is found within its hotels, offering high-quality, intimate settings just steps from the slopes.

  • Restaurant PIZ Bistro (Hotel Cresta) blends traditional Austrian dishes with international plates
  • Mountain restaurants dotted across the wider ski area, including options near Kriegerhorn and Rüfikopf
  • Elegant hotel dining rooms suited to a relaxed, unhurried evening
  • Short cable car ride down to Lech for a wider choice of restaurants
  • Cosy, alpine-chic settings throughout the village

James E's Top Ski Runs

Grubenalpe (Blue, Oberlech–Lech)
My favourite easy cruiser. It is south-facing, so you’re pretty much guaranteed sunshine, and it’s a lovely gentle run straight back into Oberlech.


Osthang (Kriegerhornbahn)
This is a natural mogul run right under the Kriegerhornbahn, and I love it. It’s one of the most rewarding bump runs in the Arlberg.


Zuger Hochlicht Off-Piste
For me this is the real highlight of Lech-Zürs. The powder bowls below Zuger Hochlicht are some of the best lift-served off-piste I’ve skied anywhere. Just make sure you go with a guide, as it’s unpatrolled.

Après Ski in Oberlech

Après Ski in Oberlech

Oberlech’s après scene is deliberately low-key, geared towards families and those after a peaceful evening rather than a big night out.

  • A handful of relaxed hotel bars within the village
  • Best suited to a quiet drink rather than a lively scene
  • Short cable car ride down to Lech for a livelier atmosphere
  • St. Anton nearby for those wanting a proper party
  • Ideal for guests who prioritise rest over revelry
Non-Skiers in Oberlech

Non-Skiers

Beyond the slopes, Oberlech and the surrounding Arlberg offer plenty for those not skiing.

  • Scenic winter walks along the valley floor
  • A short cable car ride down to Lech for shopping, cafes and bars
  • Easy to meet skiing companions for lunch, given the ski-in ski-out setup
  • Spa and wellness facilities within many of the village hotels
  • Peaceful, low-key village pace ideal for relaxing

Our Take: Is Oberlech Right For You?

Great Choice If…
Consider Alternatives If…
  • You want genuine ski-in ski-out luxury without the crowds of the bigger Arlberg villages
  • You’re travelling with young children and want childcare and a ski kindergarten right on site
  • You value peaceful evenings over a lively après scene
  • You want a buzzing après ski and nightlife scene (Lech or St. Anton would suit better)
  • You’re on a tighter budget. Oberlech is one of the more expensive corners of the Arlberg
  • You want an extensive choice of restaurants and shops on your own doorstep

Map of Oberlech

Frequently Asked Questions

Oberlech sits in the Arlberg region of western Austria, 200m above the village of Lech, within the state of Vorarlberg. It forms part of the Arlberg ski area, Austria’s largest connected ski region, alongside Lech, Zürs, St. Anton and Warth-Schröcken.

Oberlech is a small, entirely car-free hamlet. There are no roads in or out, only a cable car and the pistes themselves. It’s made up almost entirely of ski-in ski-out hotels and chalets, giving it a hushed, exclusive feel that’s rare even by Alpine standards.

As part of the Arlberg, Oberlech’s season runs from early December to mid April, snow conditions permitting. It is one of the longer seasons among Austria’s major resorts.

Innsbruck Airport is around 1h30m away, Friedrichshafen around 1h45m, and Zurich around 2 hours.

It can be, particularly for groups after a peaceful, luxury base. The Arula Chalets sleep up to 30 guests combined. However, Oberlech’s quiet, family-oriented atmosphere suits smaller groups better than those after a lively party scene, for which Lech or St. Anton would be a better fit.

The standout choice is The Arula Chalets, two ultra-luxury, ski-in ski-out chalets on the Schlosskopf slope with private pools, spas, hot tubs and full butler and chef service, ideal for a special family or group celebration.

Yes, this is one of Oberlech’s defining features. Almost all of its hotels and chalets, including Hotel Goldener Berg, Hotel Montana, Hotel Sonnenburg and The Arula Chalets, offer genuine ski-in ski-out access.

We Can Tailor-Make a Holiday to Suit You...

We have a team of experts on hand to help you choose the perfect holiday. From a luxury ski weekend in Val d’Isère to a big adventure in the Rockies, we’re whatever you want your holiday to be.

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