Lech to St Anton ski route

A snowHead

Hi,
Going to Lech this eve and looking for recommendations or advice on the best route to ski towards St Anton, ie which lifts to take, run numbers to follow etc
Any help, advice, tips etc appreciated, thanks Eh oh!

A snowHead

@BrianS1888, Hi Brian, if you are staying in Lech its best to take the ski-bus up to Zurs and catch the Flexenbahn lifts to Alpe Rauz. From there catch the Valfagerhbahn lift up to the St Anton ski domain. Taking the bus means you miss the (possible) queue at Ruffikopf and the skiing into Zurs from there.

There is an interactive piste/lift map ...... https://www.lechzuers.com/en/live-infos/lifts-and-slopes that shows Lech to Stuben lifts.

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If you want to ski rather than sit on a bus, take Rufikopf then follow any run to the short T-Bar. There’s a turn to a lift to Langerzug, don’t go that way, that’s back to Lech. Then take the only run to a big chairlift (Trittalpbahn). Then follow any of the blues and reds into Zurs, it gets a bit confusing but don’t worry, head on 123 initially and if you find 125, it’s a bit less windy but either way, head towards the town and when you see a short chairlift, head towards the bottom of it and take the Tritkopfbahn gondola next door. Switch onto Flexenbahn at the top, then take the chair on your right once out of the lift station. Run 78 takes you towards St Anton.

If you want to ski back, leave plenty of time as the fastest route from Flexenbahn is Ochsenboden itinerary which can be rather err…sporting! Beware that the obvious alternative route on the map (red 138) is uphill, on the ground a gondola up or down is more likely to appeal. After that, head for Seekopf or Zurserseebahn, there is a bridge to both (not shown on the piste map). Then a short ski to Madlochbahn. You can take 173 to somewhere in Lech (don’t think it finishes near a lift) or 170 to Zug gondola. Despite the look of the map, you can then ski straight back to Lech on 200 but it requires a bit of skating/poling at the top. There are regular buses that stop at all roadside places en route and will take you home if you’re tired or running late so there’s no reason to worry.

Beware if you head in the other direction, to Warth. There is no bus back and it’s a huge journey by road! It is vital to get back on the Auenfeldjet in time.

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Connections across St Anton were a bit of a PITA earlier this week - pistes 55/56/57, which are key for connecting Galzig to Nasserein, were all closed due to avalanche risk. You could get over but it did require taking a rather lumpy black 52 - not the end of the world, but not suitable for all.

Plus, most of the blue 31 was closed along with much of the area near the toboggan track which was being prepared for a race. So you had to plan your route carefully... hopefully it's better now

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@BrianS1888, There is just one route. And do NOT miss out on Rüfikopf!
Oh, and by the way you might find yourself simply not going that way. Few people from Lech go to St.Anton
Did you know the Lech-Zürs-Warth side is larger than the St.Anton side, and it is has nicer skiing, better snow....?

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@BrianS1888, The quickest method is to use the bus, either the free shuttle to Zürs and then the Flexenbahn or the Post Bus all the way (though not so many of those and you have to buy a ticket). For more skiing take one of the Rufikopf cable cars (possible queue) and then follow the blue piste down to a drag lift (there is only one piste, there is a ski route too which is a bit more interesting but dont take the right hand turn towards Langerzug as no other exit than the supposedly steepest run in Austria!), then a longish blue down to a chair and then down to Zürs. This is all pleasant enough but nothing outstanding often better to take the bus to Zürs and use the time saved to ski something more interesting. The Flexenbahn takes you to Alpe Rauz where you can either go towards Stuben (some nice runs plus top off piste if in condition) or take the Valfagehrbahn towards St Anton. the next run is easy but you need to build up a lot of speed as there is an uphill section rather dull to walk (or ski down to the Arlenmähderbahn from the top there is a short ski route, visible from the top of the chair lift, which is mainly a traverse but a few short turns needed which avoids most of the uphill bit). Normally you can simply ski strait ahead but the piste down the Steissbachtal is closed due to avalanche risk so you need to bear right to pick up the Tanzbödenbahn and then take Kandahar (black) towards St Anton. It is not too difficult often good snow but can turn into an overcrowded mogul (often big) field in the afternoons. If that doesnt sound like its your thing take the Galzig gondola down.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Thanks for all the info & tips, much appreciated Eh oh!

After all it is free

@munich_irish, Rüfikopf first thing in the morning in sunny weather is some of the most glorious moments of all Ski Arlberg. The light, the views, the lovely snow, and lovely skiroute Rossgraben. Did you ever do it in the morning? Suggesting to go by bus is simply silly, really..... Shocked

Any route that is all blues? Would plan to bus back from St Anton to Lech.

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@afterski, yes, the standard route is all blues unless Steissbachtal (the blue down to St Anton which is in a steep-sided valley) is shut. It does get shut sometimes, mainly due to risk of an avalanche falling onto it but you can check before starting out.

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To be honest it is mainly because I will have the bin lids with me.

You know it makes sense.

The buses have their uses. By the time you have messed about with lifts and queues to get on the Rüfikopf cable car and plodded up the drag lift (though this can be avoided by a "short cut" left off the blue piste) you will be far behind the shuttle bus to Zürs. The runs are pleasant enough, the views great and often very good snow (Zürs usually has the best snow in the Arlberg) so worth doing but often the bus will get you to somewhat more interesting skiing quicker (for instance do Madloch again). If you want a day in St Anton whilst based in Lech I would say worth paying out the few Euros to get the bus, you will be there a lot quicker (is it any different sitting in a bus or sitting in a gondola?). As noted also useful for catching a beer or two in the KK or Moose then back to Lech.

If you are a confirmed "blue" run skier then check whether the Steissbachtal run is open, the floods damaged the various infrastructure around there and it is prone to closure at the best of times. The alternative is the Kandahar black (which is better anyway) so you might need to take the Galzig lift down.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

A snowHead

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Lech to St Anton ski route

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