This is the first time in months that Jacob and I have gone on a trip with no intention of working. We were invited by a group of our close friends in Amsterdam to go skiing in Lech am Arlberg, Austria — known by some as the ski destination in Europe.
What’s funny about this trip is that both of us haven’t skiedย or snowboarded in over 10 years! I was preparing myself for the worst, but as it turns out we both picked things up again fairly quickly. We had such a fun time taking the lifts to the different ski areas – there are so many here – and taking leisurely lunch breaks on the mountain each day. Plus, the view outside of the mountains was the perfect way to wake up. It was usually snowing while we were having our morning coffee!
Since none of us had been to Lech before, our friends tapped into recommendations from other friends on where to eat, stay, and grab aprรจs-ski drinks. Overall, the food won us over and everyone loved the general atmosphere in Lech. We even made friends with some of the locals.
We started each morning by having breakfast at our ‘gasthof’ (guesthouse) and planning our ski routes for the day. The local lifts were just down the hill from us, but there was also a free bus that stops directly in front of our door every 20 minutes. This made it so easy to wake up slowly and gather the troops when we were ready to head out for the day.
We stayed in Zurs which is just up the road from downtown Lech. The surroundings were so beautiful and peaceful. Most of the houses in the area are wood construction and had a very old-fashioned feel (our guesthouse, Gasthof Auerhahn, was over 400 years old!). On our last full day we skipped skiing and instead just explored the area. One of my favorite activities was following the path behind our guesthouse into the forest. There’s a 40 minute hike to a local lunch spot that can only be reached by cross-country skiing or walking in the winter. We had such amazing meals in Lech.
We rented our ski gear in Lech but now we’re thinking of buying our own and planning an annual friends ski trip! It just goes to show that it’s totally possible to get back into the ski scene even if you haven’t gone for years. And it’s that much more fun when you have a group of great people to go with… ๐
Don’t miss our Weekend Guide to Lech so you can plan a trip of your own.
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Any recommendations for ski towns we should go to next year? We’re on the hunt for another charming winter destination!
Shea Says
Hello, what camera do you use? Such beautiful photos ๐
Nirmal Says
Hi Selena, I found this blog post while wistfully thinking of future travels when its sae to do so again. May I ask how you photograph during these sorts of activities like skiing? And out on beaches and jumping off boats etc. How do you protect your larger camera, or do you tend to use your phone in those situations? I’m worried of falling onto my camera while skiing for example, and destroying it so I tend to leave my camera behind a lot as a result ๐
Selena Says
Post authorHey! Good question. For this trip I only brought my DSLR out on walks and nearby where we were staying. The photos you see in the middle of the blog post (i.e. with the two skiiers on the left, and the photos above and below that one) are all taken with my iPhone!
If we’re headed somewhere where I want to capture underwater shots or take my camera on a boat, I pack differently. Some photos in my other posts were taken with a GoPro, some had my camera in an underwater housing. But to be honest, now I rarely bring that gear along as it’s a lot to pack (unless I have a specific photo job I’m shooting for). More and more I’ve been using my iPhone, and I edit those photos with my presets in the same way I edit my other photos from my camera.
More on the camera & equipment I use the most these days here: https://finduslost.com/camera-gear-were-using-and-loving-right-now/
Hope this helps!
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misswheezy Says
Il Duce was then arrested and imprisoned in various places, including a remote mountain ski resort from which German commandos rescued him a month and a half later.
Selena Says
Post authorYou’d like the book ‘Beneath a Scarlet Sky’.
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Amanda Says
This looks beautiful! I am using your site as inspiration for planning our honeymoon! We want it to be cozy but also outgoing. I would love to know the times of the year you are at these places. I want to go mid-November but I am afraid there won’t be enough snow. My fiance and I both ski so it would be great to also have that chance!
Selena Says
Post authorThanks Amanda! Mid-November might be tough since it’s right at the beginning of winter. I’d shoot for December or January in Lech if you can. ๐
Michael @ Mile in My Glasses Says
Such gorgeous photos! It looks like you had such an amazing time!
I hope youโre having a wonderful Monday!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
Selena Says
Post authorThanks Michael. It was one of our favorite trips since moving to Europe! ๐