With its three five star hotels and nine four star establishments, the tiny resort of Zurs is the destination that the world`s well heeled skiers head for when they want luxury but they don`t wish to make a song and dance about it by booking in at St Moritz or Cortina. Apart from the luxury of the accommodation, which is actually what the resort is made up of - giant chalet-style buildings - the resort has several other important advantages for winter sports fans, wealthy or otherwise. It is one of Austria`s highest ski centres, up at a very snow sure 1720 metres (5643 feet) and it`s lift linked to Lech in the famous Arlberg region with St Anton also on the lift pass.
There`s history too: a year-round inn was known to have existed here as long ago as 1416, as a refuge for those crossing the Arlberg, centuries before there were ski lifts and Gore Tex. Ski tourism began in 1925, however the first pair of `Nordic Planks` (Telemark skis) arrived in the Arlberg in 1890. The first courses in the `Alpine` technique of downhill skiing took place at Zurs in 1906. One of the students was Hannes Schneider, the legendary founder of the world famous Arlberg school of skiing, who became a film star and travelled the world, most notably to Japan, to teach his technique. The first rope tow lift in Austria, possibly the world, was installed in Zurs in 1937. Today the ski school is regarded as one of the best in the world with 140 of the cream of Austria`s ski instructors working, usually offering private tuition and off-piste guiding to annual repeat clients. Apres Ski Nightlife is quiet. There's a disco in the Edelweiss hotel and a piano bar in the Alpenhof. Mathie's-Stuble and Kaminstuble are worth trying, as is Vernissage, at the Skiclub Alpenrose, which is reported to be the best nightspot in town. Eating Out Serious dining means Zürserhof and the Lorunser; make sure your wallet will stand a visit before you go - credit cards are not accepted. For something cheaper try spaghetti in the basement of the Edelweiss. Princess Caroline (who stays at the Lorunser) once managed this here at 5am. Other Amenities Zürs has its own school, but many of the instructors are booked for the entire season by regular clients, and more than 80 per cent of them are hired privately. The resort also has its own kindergarten. |
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