Best in Vorarlberg

Best Ski Resorts in Vorarlberg

The best resort in Vorarlberg is Lech, a snowy, upscale and beautifully kept village that anchors the western end of the Arlberg, the largest linked ski area in Austria. Zurs is its smaller, more exclusive and ultra snow sure neighbor, while Silvretta Montafon is the value pick with the most varied terrain for the money. Below we rank the resorts of Vorarlberg honestly, on snow, terrain, charm and value, so you can choose the right base in Austria's snowiest corner.

What matters

What Vorarlberg is and who it suits

Vorarlberg is the westernmost province of Austria, wedged between Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein, and it catches some of the heaviest, most reliable snowfall in the Alps. Its headline resorts, Lech and Zurs, sit on the Arlberg, the vast linked area of around 300 km that also takes in St Anton over the Tyrol border, all on one pass.

Beyond the Arlberg, the province hides genuine gems: the big, varied Silvretta Montafon valley, the record breaking snow pockets of Damuls and Warth, and a string of quiet family valleys. This is a region for intermediates and experts who value snow and off piste, plus families wanting reliable conditions away from the crowds.

Choosing a base means weighing snow, terrain, charm and price, since Lech and Zurs are premium while the Montafon and Bregenzerwald valleys offer the same famous snow for far less. Most trips land in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, with Lech and Zurs pushing into the $4,000 to $8,000 range.

Alpine village under fresh snow in Austria

The ranking

Our picks in Vorarlberg

Ranked on what decides a week in Austria's snowiest province: snow reliability, terrain and off piste, village character and value, plus who each base suits best.

Lech

Austria | the jewel | snow sure and upscale

The best base in Vorarlberg, a snowy, polished village on the Arlberg circuit.

Lech tops the list because it combines the Arlberg's brilliant, snow sure skiing with a village that has real class. Beautifully maintained, low rise and traditional, it is upmarket without being flashy, and it sits on the famous Lech to Zurs to St Anton circuit with around 300 km on a single pass.

It is expensive and it draws a well heeled crowd, which is the only reason a budget skier might look elsewhere. But for the blend of reliable snow, superb intermediate and off piste terrain and a genuinely lovely village, it is the clear pick.

Zurs

Austria | exclusive and snow sure | ski in ski out

The exclusive neighbor, tiny, high and ultra reliable for snow.

Zurs is Lech's smaller and more exclusive twin, a cluster of smart hotels at around 1,720 m that is genuinely ski in ski out and even more snow sure thanks to its height and exposure. It is quiet, refined and serious about skiing, with the same Arlberg terrain on the doorstep and easy access to the off piste.

There is little nightlife and few shops, so it suits those who want snow and seclusion over buzz. For a high, calm, ski in ski out base with the best snow odds in the region, it is the standout.

Silvretta Montafon

Austria | value and variety | biggest local area

The value pick, the largest and most varied ski area in Vorarlberg for the money.

Silvretta Montafon is the smart value choice, a big, modern area of around 140 km strung along the beautiful Montafon valley. It offers the most varied terrain in the province outside the Arlberg, with long descents, good freeride and a lively but unpretentious feel, at prices well below Lech and Zurs.

You stay in valley towns like Schruns and ride lifts up to the snow, and the area is two linked sectors rather than one seamless circuit, but for terrain and value it is hard to beat. Our value standout.

Warth and Schrocken

Austria | record snowfall | family snow pocket

The snow magnet, one of the snowiest resorts in the Alps, now linked to Lech.

Warth and Schrocken catches astonishing amounts of snow, among the highest seasonal totals anywhere in the Alps, and a cable car now links it into the Lech ski area for a huge combined pass. The villages are small and quiet, the slopes uncrowded and the terrain friendly, which makes it a brilliant family and intermediate choice.

It is remote and short on evening life, so it is for snow lovers rather than party seekers. For powder odds and quiet pistes within reach of the Arlberg, it punches far above its size.

Damuls and Mellau

Austria | snowy and gentle | families and value

The hidden value gem, deep snow and gentle terrain in the Bregenzerwald.

Damuls and Mellau, linked across the gentle Bregenzerwald, share the same heavy snowfall reputation as Warth and offer around 100 km of mostly easy, well groomed pistes. It is relaxed, affordable and family friendly, the kind of place locals keep to themselves.

The terrain is gentle, so experts will exhaust it quickly, but for families and improving intermediates wanting reliable snow at a fair price it is a delight. A quiet, honest alternative to the big names.

Compared at a glance

The Vorarlberg shortlist

Resort	Best for	Snow	The verdict
Lech	The all rounder	Excellent	Snowy, upscale, on the Arlberg circuit.
Zurs	Snow and seclusion	Excellent	Tiny, high, ski in ski out and exclusive.
Silvretta Montafon	Value and variety	Good	Biggest local area, fair prices.
Warth and Schrocken	Powder and families	Excellent	Record snow, now linked to Lech.
Damuls and Mellau	Family value	Excellent	Deep snow, gentle terrain, low prices.

Save on the extras

Book the trip well

Whichever base you choose, the Arlberg or Montafon lift pass plus transfers, lessons and ski hire are where money quietly leaks, so book them ahead to beat the resort window price and secure the best instructors before peak weeks.

Book the extras and save

Lift passes, airport transfers, lessons and ski hire are where a ski trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.

Compare lift passes Book a transfer Find lessons Reserve ski hire Travel insurance

Keep planning

Related guides and lists

Read our reviews of Lech and Zurs, and the full Ski Arlberg region guide. Compare more widely in the best of the Ski Arlberg and the best ski resorts in Austria, or save money with the best value ski resorts in Austria.

Questions worth asking

Vorarlberg FAQs

What is the best ski resort in Vorarlberg?

Lech is our overall pick because it pairs the Arlberg's snow sure, varied skiing with a beautifully kept, upscale village. Zurs is the more exclusive and even more snow sure neighbor, while Silvretta Montafon is the best value for varied terrain.

Which Vorarlberg resort has the best snow?

Warth and Schrocken and the Damuls area catch some of the heaviest snowfall in the Alps, while Zurs is the most snow sure of the famous Arlberg villages thanks to its height. All of Vorarlberg is reliable for snow by Alpine standards.

Is Vorarlberg good for families?

Yes. Warth, Damuls and Mellau and the Montafon valley all offer gentle, well groomed terrain, reliable snow and a calm atmosphere at fair prices, which suits families far better than the pricier Lech and Zurs.

Which is cheaper, Lech or the Montafon?

The Montafon is considerably cheaper. Lech and Zurs are premium resorts that push into the $4,000 to $8,000 per person band, while Silvretta Montafon and the Bregenzerwald valleys deliver the same famous snow for noticeably less.

Does Vorarlberg connect to St Anton?

Yes. Lech and Zurs are linked by lift and pass into the wider Arlberg circuit, which includes St Anton over the Tyrol border, for around 300 km of skiing on one ticket. Warth is linked into the Lech sector by cable car.

How do I get to Vorarlberg?

The nearest major airports are Zurich, around two hours away, and Innsbruck, roughly an hour and a half to two hours. Friedrichshafen and Munich are also options. Lech, Zurs and the Montafon are all within a reasonable transfer of Zurich.

Have it arranged

Pick your valley. We price the trip.

If you want a Vorarlberg trip priced by specialists, give us the dates, group and budget below and we will route your brief to operators who know the Arlberg and the Montafon. No fee to you, ever.

Every brief is read by a real planner. You will hear back within two working days, in season.

Free and no obligation. Your brief goes to vetted operators only, never to advertisers.

By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026. We update rankings and prices each year.