Ski Holidays in Zurs, Austria

• Snow Conditions in Zurs Austria +

  Snow report issued:	27th Mar 12
  Last snowed:	19th Mar 12
  Fresh snow depth:	20cm
  Depth at resort:	155cm
  Mountain depth:	265cm
  Piste state:
  Good (The best conditions can be found on the upper slopes)
  Weather report:
  Glorious sunny weather, suntan lotion a must
  Temperature:	4°C
  Open lifts:	80 of 84

  View Zurs snow history

• Zurs Resort Statistics+

  Slope Direction	N S E W
  Very Easy Runs	4
  Easy Runs	25
  Medium Runs	19
  Difficult Runs	6
  Toughest Run Name
  Skiable Vertical	730m
  Number Of Lifts	34
  Top Lift Height	2450m
  Night Skiing	N
  Snowboarding Parks	1
  Half Pipes	1
  Swimming Pools	0
  Night Clubs	2
  Mountain Restaurants	4

• Zurs Piste Map+

  

• Zurs Transfer Times+

  Zürich:	3 hours and 20 minutes
  Munich / München:	4 hours and 30 minutes

The resort of Zurs has managed to establish a reputation as being more exclusive than St Moritz, attracting European royalty to its luxurious five star hotels and private chalets. The resort is located in the famous Arlberg region of Western Austria which it shares with St Anton and Lech, close to the Swiss border.

The resort is indeed largely made up of a little over a dozen four and five star hotels. There's known to have been hospitable inns here since at least the fifteenth century and Zurs it is one of the highest ski centres, up at a snow sure.

Zurs also has a long history as a ski centre with the first Telemark skis arriving about 120 years ago and the first Alpine downhillers more than a century ago in 1906. Many of the early pioneers of downhill skiing learned their skills in the area, exporting their skills worldwide. One of the first rope tow lifts in Austria, was installed here in 1937.

The Arlberg region has some of the world's most exciting, and extensive skiing and snowboarding. Altogether there are more than 80 lifts and 260km (161 miles) of prepared ski runs, all on the one lift ticket - and an awful lot more unprepared free riding terrain.

However the area is divided in to two halves - the Zurs / Lech side and the St Anton side - which are not officially linked by lift or ski trail - only good skiers can make the connection with the help of a local guide.

• Skiing for Beginners+

  Zurs' ski school is regarded as one of the best in the world with over 100 of Austria's top ski instructors employed, many booked for full seasons, for years ahead, by wealthy private clients. But there are still excellent teachers taking group classes for the rest of us!
  
  There are gentle nursery slopes near to the hotels which are normally snow sure all season, thanks to the altitude. The century-old ski school provides expert tuition.

• Intermediate Skiing+

  A massive region for intermediate level skiers, providing one of the world's best ski areas. There are excellent runs descending from the Hexenboden.
  
  The Arlberg Card, a high-tech ski pass which fits in your pocket, gives the holder automatic access through all turnstiles at the Arlberg's cable car and lift stations.

• Advanced+

  One of the 'must ski' regions for advanced skiers, 180km (113 miles) of the Arlberg's extensive ski area are in fact off-piste trails, because this is one of the few ski regions in the world to measure its unprepared trails as well as those mechanically groomed.
  
  There's a steep black down from Trittkopf and another tough run is the Zürsertäli from Muggengrat down to Zürs.
  
  There are plenty of great touring routes in the area, most famously what was called 'The White Ring' but is now better known as the 'Madloch Tour' which, for the best sunshine, is taken from Zürs down to Lech, then back.

• Snowboarding at Zurs+

  One of the world's best freeriding destinations, there's an excellent Boarderland terrain park which incorporates a boardercross course, 360, big air park, half pipe, quarter pipe, fun boxes, slides, pro-jump, jump and an inverted jump.

• Other Activities And Facilities at Zurs+

  Zurs has limited public facilities and just a dozen or so shops. Most facilities are provided by the competing hotels, many of which have excellent spa facilities and other luxuries such as indoor golf.
  
  For a wider choice again it's a case of just popping down to Lech which has a cinema, a theatre, three galleries, a library and an ice rink.
  
  Sleigh rides are available, as are helicopter flights and the local paragliding school offers tandem jumps with an instructor. There's a 1.2km (three quarters of a mile) long illuminated toboggan run.
  
  Shopping is popular too; at Huber's you can browse the jewellery of Cartier, Rolex, Hermes and Gucci. Sporthouse Strolz stocks all the famous names whilst Waldhard is the best choice for fine Italian clothing.

• Apres Ski And Dining Out+

  Not a lively or rowdy après ski choice (that kind of action can be found down in Lech), Zurs nightlife is cosmopolitan, sophisticated and mostly within the plush hotels.
  
  Options include the Vernissage bar gallery or the piano bar in the Alpenhof. The most popular night club is the Zürserl in the Sporthotel Edelweis. It's easy to get down to Lech, four kilometres (two-and-a-half miles) away and its wider range of après ski options.
  
  Zurs is an excellent choice if you're interested in gourmet cuisine. At the more relaxed end of the spectrum Toni's Einkehr provides fondues and other Austrian dishes. Italian is served at the Walsersube in the Hotel Alberghaus.

• Ski Holidays in Zurs suitable for Families+

  There's no nursery provision for the very youngest children but those aged three and older can join the ski kindergarten in the village centre run by Skischule Zürs, which offers full day care for children out of nappies.
  
  Children two years older can join ski school which offers two hours of lessons in the morning and afternoon with lunchtime cover available on request. Children aged up to seven can buy a very low priced 'Snowman ticket' to use the lifts during their stay, for a few euros.