Skiing in Stuben – off piste powder heaven

As part of the Arlberg ski area, and connected to the new Flexenbahn lift via the new Albonabahn II lift, Stuben now has easy access to all 305km of slopes, 200 kilometers of deep snow downhill runs and 248 individual pistes, served by 111 ski lifts. Stuben itself has 15km of pisted ski runs going up to 2,500m on the Albona in the south of the resort. It’s location at the end of the Klösterale Valley drawing weather fronts from West and the north slopes of the Albona result in sensational snow conditions and exceptional off piste. Albona is the local peak of the Verwall group and with 1,000m of expansive tree-free North Slope downhill runs; it’s particularly popular for freeriding and snowboarding. On the Alpe Rauz, the Valfagehrbahn leads to the Pfannenkopf and the Ulmer Hut. If you fancy a little downhill racing check out one of the Riesentorlauf racing routes out, Stuben’s own is the Walchlift. From Alpe Rauz, a ski bus transports guests comfortably to Zürs.

Stuben is quite the mecca for snowboarders, due to the exceptional conditions on the Albona. Some go as far as calling it the ‘Holy Mountain’ and Stuben is very much on the international snowboarding circuit. Since 1999, it has also hosted the Longboard classic the largest longboard snowboarding event in the World.

Offering ski in and ski out access, Stuben however is not just for boarders, a large variety of wide open slopes to suit everyone, combined with ideal conditions and terrain make this the perfect resort for all levels of skiers, but particularly for intermediates and families. It’s slightly lower altitude, location and affordability also makes this the perfect ski resort for families. Costs are lower than they are in Lech or St. Anton and it benefits from having three airports nearby, all reachable within two hours drive. It also benefits from close access to Sonnenkopf.

Après-ski and restaurants

Warmth, friendliness, regional and international specialties and Austrian wines are part of the woodwork in the restaurants in Stuben am Arlberg. Here, hospitality has been refined to an art form and après-ski is generally a more refined affair focusing on good food and drink. The Albona mid-station is a good place to stop in the afternoon and there are a number of sun terraces tucked away around Stuben for afternoon relaxation and drinking. The Après Post Hotel and its Hannes Schneider bar, the FUXBAU, the Hotel Arlberg, the Mondschein-Bar and Willi’s bar, restaurant and pizzeria are all have bars and are well worth a look in for your après-ski fun.

There are also some fantastic restaurants to choose from including the amazing S’Arlberg, which serves delicious Mediterranean food in a glorious setting. S’Murmele is another good restaurant with an excellent menu. Stuben has a wide range of different cuisines to tuck in to, cordon bleu treats, Mediterranean cuisine, game specialties, delicious fish dishes, or hearty afternoon teas “Jausen”. Homemade and regional food frequently features on various menus. Of particular note is the Hotel Mondschein dating back to 1739. Somewhat of a Stuben institution, and boasting a truly impressive cellar make sure you grab an après-ski drink or evening meal here and revel in the rustic ambiance of an old fashioned Stube.

Stuben also offers another magical option in terms of rest and relaxation by offering you the chance to stay overnight in the mountains in the heart of the Arlberg. The Ulmer Hut built in 1902 and situated at 2,288m, lets you stay directly on the ski slope, wake up with a hearty breakfast and afterwards open the main door, click on your skis and go out and enjoy the snow. Another option is the Kohlerhaus ski and hiking hut, which is more like a small guesthouse only five minutes away from the Albonabahn cable car. Serving breakfast and tea for guests staying overnight, people have been coming here to be closer to nature and the slopes since 1940.

Summer activities

Stuben is the ideal starting point to indulge in some Summer Alpine outdoor pursuits. From bikers to hikers, to golfers to nature lovers there’s something for all of the family.
Hiking – Not only is there the gorgeous Arlberg region, the local mountain, Albona, features one of the best north slopes of the entire Alps, making for some truly breathtaking hiking in the summer months. Hiking is also one of the best ways in which to experience the beauty of the Stuben Lake and the Spuller Lake. Stuben also happens to be on the path of the Camino de Santiago.

Golfing – Fancy a quick drive? For golfers many golf courses are in close proximity, notably the 18-hole Bludenz-Braz Golf Club with the imposing backdrop of the Lechtaler Alps – a round of golf here is like almost like a hike. There’s also the 9-hole, 19 hectare handicap rated Lech-Zug Golf Club course suitable for beginners and professionals alike.

Climbing – Stuben and the Arlberg region provide the perfect backdrop for climbing in the summer months. There are wide variety of routes, ascents, walls and crags within easy reach.

Biking – There’s almost 300km of signposted bike-path network in Vorarlberg and the gondolas take your mountain bike with ease. From challenging single tracks through to pleasant Alpine trails, from gentle rides to hellishly steep ones, Stuben has biking covered. If you’re up for a two day cycle sporting challenge, then try the Alpencross – Transalp which goes from Oberstdorf to Lake Garda. This takes in the Freiburger Hut (1,918 m), a difficult forest ride through to Dalaas (830m) and then further over to the Kristbergsattel (1,486 m) and on to the Heilbronner Hut (2,320m), situated on the border between Voralberg and Tyrol.

Motorcycling – Numerous routes end and start in Stuben, taking in Lake Constance, nearby Switzerland and much more.

Fishing – Lechbach, Spullersee, the Zug fishing hole, the Klösterle fish pond, Formarinsee or Alfenz can all be fished if you have a fishing card. Get them from the OMV petrol stations in Braz and Danöfen. Cards for Formarinsee and Spullersee are available at the Lech-Zürs Tourism office, and cards for the fishpond can be got directly from Kaspar’s Seestüble.

Horseriding – If riding is your thing, The Black Coffee Stables riding school in Klösterle provides western style riding lessons for children and adults alike of all levels.

Bärenland am Sonnenkopf – In nearby Klösterle is a sure fire hit with families. Children get to travel up into Bärenland am Sonnenkopf in their very own bear gondola and Bruno the bear themed outdoor activities, games and water sports and rafting make best use of this area’s lakes and stunning natural beauty.

Kids & Family

Stuben with it’s widen open slopes and ore affordable offering than Lech or St. Anton, makes for the ideal kids and family location whether for Winter or Summer.

Ski schools – As you’d think, the village of Hannes Schneider’s birth has some excellent ski schools. The Stuben Ski School offers guides as well as heli-skiing, snowshoe hiking and cross-country skiing. Arlberg Alpin is a downhill and Alpine freeride center that specialises in freeriding, heli-skiing and ski tours on the Arlberg. Both also offer tuition to children aged four upwards. There’s also the Albona Ski School has developed its own children’s program for ages four and upwards. Children are accompanied by the ski school mascot Yogi on all of their snow missions from beginner to ski star and every child receives a Snow Mission Log Book in which the ski instructor awards each completed mission with a fun sticker.

Summer is more than taken care of with the legendary Bärenland am Sonnenkopf in nearby Klösterle as well as all of the offer activities available.