Lech am Arlberg (1,440m) is a mountain village (population: 1466, December 2002) and a ski resort in the Bludenz district of Vorarlberg, Austria. Founded in the fourteenth century by Walser migrants from the canton of Wallis in Switzerland, it has grown to become one of the world's premier ski destinations and the home of a number of world and Olympic ski champions. It is administered together with the neighbouring villages of Zürs, Zug, and Oberlech. Lech is best known for its skiing (both on-piste and off-piste). It is well connected via mechanical lifts and groomed pistes with the neighbouring villages of Zürs, St Christof, St. Anton and Stuben - together they form the Arlberg region, the birth place of the modern Alpine skiing technique and the seat of the Ski Club Arlberg, the world's oldest ski club, founded in 1901. Lech is also the starting and finishing point for "Der Weisse Ring" ("The White Ring"), a circle of runs and lifts that is a popular tour and the scene of an annual race involving both experts and others. Although not as well frequented in the summer as it is in the winter, Lech nevertheless has much to offer the summer visitor, in terms of sporting, cultural, culinary and other activities. There are many premier hotels in Lech am Arlberg, including Hotel Krone and Hotel Arlberg, as well as numerous top class restaurants.
Austria
Beaver Creek Resort, Avon, Colorado, United States of America
