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Arlberg
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Explore Arlberg in Austria for renowned skiing, alpine villages, hiking, mountain scenery and the historic pass between Tyrol and Vorarlberg.

Arlberg is a high mountain travel region at the meeting point of Tyrol and Vorarlberg in western Austria. Rather than a single administrative district, it is defined by the Arlberg Pass, the surrounding valleys and the interconnected resort communities on either side. St Anton am Arlberg, St Christoph and Stuben lie on the Tyrolean and pass approaches, while Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken are associated with the Vorarlberg side. The landscape is one of steep summits, broad upland bowls, forested slopes and deeply cut valleys, with winter snow and summer walking shaping the region's visitor culture.
Read more about Arlberg
St Anton is the largest and most internationally recognised settlement, with a lively village centre, extensive ski infrastructure and a strong connection with the history of modern alpine skiing. Above it, St Christoph is a small mountain settlement on the pass, while Stuben retains a quieter character and sits beneath major ski routes. On the western side, Lech and Zürs combine traditional wooden architecture with sophisticated hospitality, while Warth and Schröcken offer access to a more rural landscape and substantial natural snowfall. Roads and mountain passes make the distances appear short on a map, but winter conditions and winding routes mean that journeys can take longer than expected.
The Arlberg's historical importance began with its role as a difficult but valuable crossing between the Inn valley and the Rhine valley. A medieval hospice at St Christoph provided shelter for travellers, and the opening of the Arlberg Railway in 1884 transformed access between western Austria and the Tyrol. In the twentieth century, local instructors and enthusiasts helped establish the region as a major centre of alpine skiing. Hannes Schneider, born in Stuben, developed the influential Arlberg technique, which spread internationally through ski schools and films.
Today, the region offers far more than downhill skiing, although skiing remains its defining seasonal activity. Winter visitors can ski across a large linked area, use marked winter walking routes, try cross-country trails where conditions permit, or explore village restaurants and mountain huts. Summer brings hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, climbing and quieter days among alpine meadows and high peaks. Food ranges from hearty Tyrolean specialities to refined contemporary cooking, while Vorarlberg's architectural and culinary influences are particularly noticeable around Lech, Warth and Schröcken. The essential experience is the contrast between resort energy, historic pass settlements and the expansive mountain environment that joins them.

When is the best time to visit Arlberg?

Best: June–August · 20–22°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January045
February140
March545
April1050
May1555
June (best)2065
July (best)2270
August (best)2270
September1860
October1355
November850
December345

Getting to and around Arlberg

How to get there

The most convenient rail gateway is usually St Anton am Arlberg, which has direct or well-connected services from major Austrian cities and international rail hubs, although routes and stopping patterns vary. Langen am Arlberg is useful for the Vorarlberg side, while local buses connect the railway stations with resorts such as Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken. Innsbruck Airport is a practical gateway for the Tyrolean side, while airports at Zurich and Munich are outside Arlberg but can be useful for international arrivals; transfer times depend greatly on traffic and winter conditions. By road, the region is reached via the A12 and the Arlberg road network, but the Arlberg Tunnel and pass routes may be affected by maintenance, weather or restrictions.

Transportation

Local buses connect the principal villages and railway stations, and many winter visitors can manage without a car if they stay near a bus route or lift station. St Anton and the pass settlements are relatively straightforward to explore on foot, whereas the dispersed communities around Lech, Warth and Schröcken require more planning. A car is useful for summer touring and remote trailheads but can be inconvenient in winter because of snow, parking constraints and required winter equipment. Mountain roads are narrow and winding, and some routes may be restricted seasonally. Check current lift, bus and road arrangements before setting out.

Top city travel guides in Arlberg

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Destinations in Arlberg

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Arlberg

Arlberg's attractions are inseparable from its mountain setting and the changing seasons. In winter, the linked ski area provides extensive pistes between St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Zürs, Lech, Warth and Schröcken, with terrain ranging from broad, accessible slopes to demanding high-alpine routes. Visitors who do not ski can use marked winter walking paths, enjoy snowshoe excursions with a guide or explore village cafés, museums and historic churches. St Anton's Museum, housed in a former villa associated with the resort's development, offers useful context on local skiing and tourism. In summer, lifts and mountain roads open access to hiking, climbing, mountain biking and panoramic viewpoints, although operating dates vary. The valleys around Lech, Warth and Schröcken are particularly suited to walking among meadows, streams and traditional farms, while the pass settlements offer a direct connection with historic travel routes. The region's appeal lies less in a concentration of conventional sightseeing attractions than in the combination of alpine recreation, village architecture, ski history, local food and changing mountain conditions.

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Best landmarks in Arlberg

The Arlberg Pass itself is the region's defining geographical landmark, a high route whose importance is reflected in the settlements, roads and railway that cross or pass beneath it. St Christoph am Arlberg stands beside the historic pass route and is closely associated with the hospice founded to shelter travellers. The Arlberg Railway Tunnel, opened in 1884, remains a major engineering landmark connecting the Tyrolean and Vorarlberg sides, with St Anton and Langen am Arlberg serving as important rail points. In Stuben, the birthplace of ski pioneer Hannes Schneider is a notable marker of the region's contribution to international ski history. The compact villages of Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken retain striking combinations of timber-clad farmhouses, modern alpine buildings and mountain backdrops, while St Anton's church and historic centre anchor a much larger resort. Natural landmarks include the exposed pass landscapes, the peaks and ridgelines above the Flexen route, and the broad alpine basins around Lech and Warth. Their significance is both visual and historical: these are the landscapes through which travel, settlement and skiing developed.

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Best restaurants in Arlberg

Dining in Arlberg ranges from traditional mountain inns and piste huts to sophisticated hotel restaurants and contemporary kitchens in the larger resorts. Menus commonly draw on Austrian and Tyrolean traditions, including käsespätzle, hearty dumplings, soups, schnitzel, goulash and apple strudel, while Vorarlberg influences are apparent in regional cheese dishes and farmhouse cooking. Mountain huts generally focus on filling midday food suited to active visitors, whereas St Anton, Lech and Zürs offer a broader choice of international and fine dining. Warth and Schröcken have a more village-based selection, often centred on hotels, inns and local produce. Breakfasts and afternoon cake are important parts of the resort rhythm, and many establishments emphasise seasonal ingredients, dairy products and alpine herbs. Reservations are sensible in peak winter periods, particularly for evening meals, and visitors should not assume that every mountain restaurant remains open late or can be reached independently after lifts close.

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Best bars in Arlberg

Evening life varies considerably across Arlberg. St Anton has the region's most established après-ski and late-night scene, with bars, hotel lounges, live music and venues around the village and the ski-return routes. Lech and Zürs offer a more polished evening atmosphere, ranging from hotel bars and wine lounges to après-ski venues, while Stuben and St Christoph are quieter and more focused on inns and hotel hospitality. Warth and Schröcken generally suit visitors seeking relaxed dinners, traditional pubs and early starts rather than a major club circuit. Some mountain venues are designed for afternoon après-ski and may close well before midnight. In summer, nightlife becomes more subdued, with evening meals, outdoor terraces, cultural events and occasional live music taking precedence. Drinking is not essential to enjoying the region, and mountain conditions make a responsible journey back to accommodation particularly important.

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Best nightclubs in Arlberg

Evening life varies considerably across Arlberg. St Anton has the region's most established après-ski and late-night scene, with bars, hotel lounges, live music and venues around the village and the ski-return routes. Lech and Zürs offer a more polished evening atmosphere, ranging from hotel bars and wine lounges to après-ski venues, while Stuben and St Christoph are quieter and more focused on inns and hotel hospitality. Warth and Schröcken generally suit visitors seeking relaxed dinners, traditional pubs and early starts rather than a major club circuit. Some mountain venues are designed for afternoon après-ski and may close well before midnight. In summer, nightlife becomes more subdued, with evening meals, outdoor terraces, cultural events and occasional live music taking precedence. Drinking is not essential to enjoying the region, and mountain conditions make a responsible journey back to accommodation particularly important.

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Best shops in Arlberg

Shopping in Arlberg is concentrated in the main resort villages rather than in large urban retail districts. St Anton has the broadest selection of ski, outdoor and sports shops, alongside boutiques, bakeries, delicatessens and stores selling practical equipment for mountain activities. Lech and Zürs offer a more upmarket mix of clothing, jewellery, interiors and alpine-inspired design, while Stuben, Warth and Schröcken have smaller ranges shaped by local needs and seasonal tourism. Useful regional purchases include Austrian foods, mountain herbs, preserves, cheese, spirits, woollen goods and locally made craft items, although provenance varies and labels should be checked. Bakeries and village food shops are often better places for edible gifts than generic souvenir outlets. Art galleries and craft shops appear particularly in the larger resorts, but opening arrangements can change outside the winter and summer seasons. Visitors should also remember that sports equipment may be available for hire as well as purchase, reducing the need to transport bulky items.

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Arlberg essentials

Currency and Payment
Arlberg uses the euro (EUR), as does Austria nationally. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, lift offices, restaurants and larger shops, but carrying some cash remains sensible for small mountain huts, rural purchases, lockers or unexpected transport needs. Bank machines are available in the main resort villages, although service availability is less predictable in smaller settlements. Prices in the principal ski resorts can be high, particularly during peak winter periods, so confirm what is included in accommodation, ski services and transfers.
Safety
The main risks are alpine rather than urban. Check avalanche information and local warnings before entering ungroomed terrain, and use a qualified guide for ski touring or unfamiliar off-piste routes. Weather can change quickly, with wind, snowfall, reduced visibility and icy roads affecting both skiers and drivers. Stay on marked paths where appropriate, carry suitable footwear and layers, and take care near steep slopes, streams and grazing animals in summer. On pistes, follow the Austrian ski-resort code of conduct, control speed and give priority appropriately. Travel insurance covering mountain rescue and winter sports is advisable.
Emergency Situations
Austria's national emergency numbers apply throughout Arlberg: call 112 for the general European emergency service, 133 for police, 122 for fire and 144 for ambulance. Mountain rescue is reached on 140. Give the exact village, trail, piste name, lift, hut or visible landmark, and remain reachable by telephone if possible. In a serious alpine incident, follow instructions from piste patrol, mountain rescue or local emergency services rather than attempting a risky self-rescue. Reception can be unreliable in valleys and behind ridges, so record accommodation details and route information before leaving.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect piste signage, lift queues, local residents and the quiet character of smaller villages. Do wear appropriate footwear on icy streets and avoid walking on ski runs or closed trails. Do follow access rules around private land, forests and wildlife habitats, and keep dogs controlled near livestock. Do dress suitably for churches and remember that tipping in restaurants and cafés is customary but discretionary. Do not enter closed avalanche terrain, cross barriers or assume that a visible mountain track is safe in winter. Photography is generally welcome, but ask before photographing people closely.
Local Tips
The region's villages have distinct atmospheres, so compare the Tyrolean energy of St Anton with the more refined setting of Lech and Zürs, the pass character of St Christoph and Stuben, and the rural feel of Warth and Schröcken. For summer walking, check whether a cable car is operating and whether the intended route crosses exposed ground or requires a high level of fitness. In winter, allow time for bus connections and do not plan an ambitious cross-region ski itinerary without checking lift links and the last return options. Local alpine restaurants often serve regional specialities best enjoyed as a substantial midday meal.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[HAH-lo]
GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen[OWF VEE-der-zay-en]
YesJa[YAH]
NoNein[NINE]
Please/You're welcomeBitte[BIT-te]
Thank youDanke[DANK-eh]
Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung[ENT-shool-dee-goong]
How are you?Wie geht's?[VEE gates?]
Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?[GOOT. OONT deer?]
Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?[SPREH-ken zee ENG-lish?]
I don't understandIch verstehe nicht[IKH fer-SHTAY-eh nikht]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch hätte gerne die Speisekarte, bitte[IKH HET-te GER-neh dee SHPY-ze-KAR-te, BIT-te]
I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch[IKH ESS-eh kine FLYSH]
Cheers!Prost![PROHST!]
I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte zahlen, bitte[IKH MERK-te TZA-len, BIT-te]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hilfe![HIL-fe!]
Go away!Geh weg![GAY vehk!]
Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei![ROO-fen zee dee POL-i-ZYE!]
Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt![ROO-fen zee EYE-nen ARTZ!]
I'm lostIch habe mich verlaufen[IKH HAH-be mikh fer-LAU-fen]
I'm illIch bin krank[IKH bin KRAHNK]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...[IKH MERK-te KAU-fen...]
I'm just lookingIch schaue nur[IKH SHAU-eh noor]
How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?[VEE FEEL KOS-tet es?]
That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer[DAS ist tsoo TOY-er]
Can you lower the price?Könnten Sie den Preis senken?[KERN-ten zee den PRICE SEN-ken?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Wie spät ist es?[VEE shpate ist es?]
It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr[ES ist EYN OOR]
Half past (10)Halb (10)[HALB (10)]
MorningMorgen[MOR-gen]
AfternoonNachmittag[NAHCH-mit-tahg]
EveningAbend[AH-bent]
YesterdayGestern[GES-turn]
TodayHeute[HOY-te]
TomorrowMorgen[MOR-gen]
1Eins[EINS]
2Zwei[TSVY]
3Drei[DRY]
4Vier[FEER]
5Fünf[FUENF]
6Sechs[ZEX]
7Sieben[ZEE-ben]
8Acht[AHKT]
9Neun[NOYN]
10Zehn[TSAYN]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/das...?[VO ist EYN/DAS...?]
What's the address?Wie ist die Adresse?[VEE ist dee AH-dres-se?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir (auf der Karte) zeigen?[KERN-nen zee meer (OWF der KAR-te) TSY-gen?]
When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?[VAN kommt der NAY-shte (BOOS)?]
A ticket (to ....)Ein Ticket (nach ....)[EYN TICK-et (NAHCH ....)]

History of Arlberg

The Arlberg Pass in the Medieval Period

The Arlberg Pass formed a demanding route between the Inn valley and the Rhine valley, linking communities that are now in Tyrol and Vorarlberg. Its importance was practical rather than easy: travellers faced exposed terrain, heavy snow and difficult gradients. The hospice at St Christoph, traditionally associated with protection and shelter for pass travellers, became a lasting symbol of the route's religious and charitable infrastructure. The surrounding settlements developed within a mountain economy based on livestock, seasonal movement, agriculture and trade across the pass.

Walser Settlement in the Western Valleys

From the late Middle Ages, German-speaking Walser settlers established communities in high valleys across the Alpine region, including areas associated with present-day Vorarlberg. Their settlement patterns, building traditions and forms of mountain agriculture influenced places such as Warth and Schröcken. Walser cultural traces remain visible in local dialects, farmsteads and the organisation of upland communities. The history is shared across modern borders, illustrating how alpine societies were shaped by valleys, passes and seasonal work more than by today's provincial boundaries.

The Arlberg Railway and Tunnel, 1884

The opening of the Arlberg Railway in 1884 was a decisive transformation for the region. Its tunnel and associated railway works connected western Austria with the Tyrol and made the crossing substantially more reliable than the old pass route. St Anton became easier to reach from larger Austrian and European cities, while the railway supported trade, local employment and the first growth of organised tourism. The railway remains a fundamental part of the region's identity, with St Anton am Arlberg serving as one of Austria's best-known rail-accessible mountain resorts.

The Rise of Alpine Skiing

Organised winter tourism began to develop in the early twentieth century as visitors discovered the Arlberg's terrain and dependable mountain conditions. Hannes Schneider, born in Stuben, became one of the period's most influential ski instructors. His systematic teaching approach, commonly known as the Arlberg technique, helped make alpine skiing more accessible and was disseminated internationally through instruction and demonstration. St Anton and the surrounding resorts consequently became associated not only with winter holidays but also with the development of modern ski education.

Post-war Resort Development

After the Second World War, improved prosperity, transport and ski-lift technology brought a major expansion of winter tourism. St Anton, Lech, Zürs, St Christoph and Stuben developed into internationally known resorts, while Warth and Schröcken gained growing access to the wider ski area. Hotels, cable cars and roads reshaped the built environment, although many villages retained traditional timber architecture and compact settlement patterns. Tourism became the dominant economic force, supplementing older farming, forestry and transport livelihoods.

The Arlberg as a Connected Ski Area

The late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries saw increasingly coordinated lift infrastructure across the mountain passes and valleys. Links between the Tyrolean and Vorarlberg sides strengthened the Arlberg's identity as a connected ski destination rather than a collection of separate resorts. The opening of the Flexenbahn in 2016 created a direct lift connection between Zürs and Stuben, broadening the practical relationship between communities on either side of the pass. This development also increased the importance of careful planning, as weather, lift operations and village access still vary across the region.

Arlberg in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Arlberg, Austria

Discover Arlberg with Evendo, a 100% free travel guide app that covers attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, and more. Plan your perfect trip effortlessly.

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Explore Arlberg like never before with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. Find top attractions, book experiences, and get local tips—all for free.

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Welcome to Arlberg, Austria, a stunning destination known for its picturesque landscapes, thrilling ski resorts, and charming villages. With Evendo, your travels to this beautiful region will be seamless and unforgettable.

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