Arlberg catches up

Austria’s Arlberg region – outsmarted by the Saalbach area’s major expansion into the Tirol – are finally linking all three resorts in its circuit – St Anton, Lech and Zurs.

This is something Good Ski Guide has been nagging about for years. Now the Arlbergers are linking up so that bussing between resorts is eliminated and the Arlberg will become the largest skiing circuit in Austria… with 307 km of runs, compared to the Saalbach region’s 270km.

By the start of the 2017 season the links will be complete with the opening of the Flexenbahn Gondola, which will operate 47 ten-person cabins, and with a six-minute travel time, and transport up to 2,400 people per hour.

In addition, a new ski circuit run will replace the White Ring. It will be called the ‘Run of Fame’ and will boast 65 skiable kilometres across the entire region. And it means it should take the average skier a full day to ski from Warth to St Anton/Rendl and back again.

Tour operators are rubbing hands in glee at the long-awaited expansion, and forecast that peak dates and the best chalets will sell out fast following this news, and Iglu Ski advise booking a new season ski holiday now. Iglu Ski offers seven nights at Chalet Murr (catered chalet) in St Anton, from £628pp based on 2 sharing. Price price includes return economy flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea, evening meals with wine,