Zurs Ski Resort Information
- Resort Altitude: 1716m
- Slopes Altitude: 1280 - 2811m
- Pistes: 305 km (Arlberg)
- Lifts: 87 (Arlberg)
- Nearest Airport: Innsbruck - 116 km (1hr 30 min)
- Blue Slopes: 43%
- Red Slopes: 40%
- Black Slopes: 17%
Zürs is a gem within Austria’s Arlberg region, known for its exceptional skiing, luxurious accommodation, and understated elegance. It shares the ski area with neighbouring Lech, making the combined Lech-Zürs area one of the most desirable and exclusive ski destinations in Europe. Zürs is part of the broader Ski Arlberg domain, which connects several iconic villages, including St. Anton and Stuben, offering over 300 km of linked pistes and an abundance of off-piste terrain.
The ski area itself caters to both intermediate and advanced skiers, although beginners will find dedicated slopes in the area as well. Zürs is perched at a high altitude, and its unique geography ensures ample snow throughout the season, often becoming one of Austria's snowiest resorts. The slopes here are known for their wide, open spaces and impeccable grooming, making them ideal for long, sweeping turns with fantastic visibility across the mountains.
Advanced skiers are especially drawn to Zürs for its excellent off-piste offerings. The Madloch is a legendary route that begins with an exhilarating descent from the Madloch-Joch. This challenging itinerary takes skiers through untouched powder fields, with the route ending in Zug, where a lift connects back to Lech. The Madloch descent is also part of the famous "White Ring" circuit, a 22 km loop connecting Lech, Oberlech, Zürs, and Zug. Completing the White Ring is a must for ambitious skiers; it combines scenic pistes with thrilling sections of powder, offering some of the best views across the Arlberg mountains.
For those who prefer a gentler day, the Seekopf and Trittkopf areas offer a mix of wide blue and red runs with lovely mountain panoramas. The scenic blue runs here are ideal for intermediates who enjoy cruisy slopes with manageable gradients. Beginners, though limited in some sections, will appreciate the carefully maintained nursery slopes close to Zürs’ centre, with ski schools available to offer guidance.
Zürs also offers excellent opportunities for freeride skiing, with wide open bowls and steep chutes for advanced and expert skiers. The Flexenbahn cable car opened in recent years, linking Zürs with St. Anton and Stuben, making it easier to explore these legendary freeride areas. The "Langer Zug" in Lech, accessible from Zürs, is one of the steepest groomed runs in the world, with sections reaching a gradient of 80 per cent—a thrill for experienced skiers.