| Austrian ski resorts provide a beautiful backdrop for | | | | of the Alps. |
| skiing holidays as winter sports enthusiasts take to | | | | Elsewhere, Lech rates strongly among Austrian ski |
| the slopes for some adrenaline-fuelled action, | | | | resorts for beginners and especially for intermediate |
| whether on skis or a snowboard. | | | | and advanced skiers. |
| Best known among the country's skiing regions is the | | | | With 180 km of open slopes and 260 km of tended |
| Arlberg Ski Circus, comprising Lech, Zurs, St Anton | | | | pistes, Lech's slopes provide plenty of variety. |
| and St Christoph. | | | | An opening ceremony during November in Lech's |
| St Anton am Alberg is the most popular of these | | | | Schlegelkopf Square signals the start of the ski |
| destinations with 120km of pistes providing a | | | | season in the resort. |
| challenging environment for intermediate and | | | | And it is followed up by a series of events that run |
| advanced skiers. | | | | throughout the season that includes a spectacular |
| A highly rated region for snowboarders, makes it a | | | | musical firework show in nearby Zurs. Another |
| fine all-round choice for groups keen to try one or | | | | notable date on the calendar is the Bregenz Festival |
| both disciplines. | | | | in the Snow which takes place in Lech at the end of |
| St Anton is almost as well known for its apres-ski | | | | January. |
| entertainment with cafes and boutiques for daytime | | | | Austria's Arlberg ski circus caters for plenty of |
| entertainment, as well as bars and discos that remain | | | | different tastes, from beginners to seasoned skiers, |
| open long after dark. | | | | with routes for cross-country treks and |
| But if quiet and exclusive is more your thing when it | | | | snowboarding along with the regular downhill skiing |
| comes to relaxing after a day on the slopes then this | | | | stretches. |
| is provided by neighbouring St Christoph, which is | | | | All in all Austria's appeal to keen skiers is illustrated by |
| 6km from St Anton. | | | | it ranking second only to France in the popularity |
| St Christoph is the region's highest village at 1,800 | | | | stakes. |
| metres above sea level, and one of the highest in all | | | | |