My 24 Hours in Lech

My perfect 24 hours start with a sensational breakfast at Baristro, with a delicious smoothie, a bowl of porridge, some fresh bread and an avocado toast with poached egg. This place is not only very laid-back, it’s also located right in the centre of Lech, a perfect starting point for a day of skiing, or just strolling through the streets.

If I decide to go skiing for the day, I honestly always have a hard time deciding which ski slope to choose. I don’t know of any other skiing area that offers so many great slopes, ski lifts and generally just this much space. If you’re into winter sports, Lech is the place where you want to be because everything is of great quality and it’s just a lot of fun here. The Rud Alpe is my place to go when I only want to have a small bite between bouts of skiing. They serve succulent salads and I love to eat outside when the sun is shining. If it’s a really cold day, I stop at the Kriegeralpe for a hot drink. A must-visit for all gourmets is the restaurant Schlegelkopf, which serves amazing sushi, steaks and oysters at 1800 metres above sea level. A favourite secret spot of mine to watch the sunset from is the Balmalp. Every time I come here I’m torn between sentimentality and astonishment at the surreal beauty of nature. Back in the valley and having a successful skiing day behind me I sometimes like to go for a drink at the Krone Bar. My personal way of Aprés Ski.

If, rather than skiing, I should feel more like taking it easy after breakfast, I like to stroll around and stop by the stores in Lech. One of my all-time favourites is the fashion store Strolz. It’s five levels full of accessories and fashion for every age and style, no matter if it’s high fashion or traditional clothes. There is a café inside as well which is great when you need a little break from shopping. I like to head to Sagmeister afterwards, a small and very lovely boutique with wonderful French brands like Chloé. C.R.A.F.T Store is your address for fashion casual-chic. Their jeans are all designed and produced in Portugal and as soon as you enter the store you can feel this certain bohemian atmosphere. I also love their interior design, with all the beautiful black and white photographs on the wall, underlining their style.

For a major break from shopping, look for the gondola which takes you to the little village Oberlech, where you can best spend the sunny hours at the terrace of the Hotel Mohnenfluh. Get yourself a sun chair, a nice drink and a small delicacy and enjoy the view. Two hours of lounging on their terrace feels like two days of holiday. The gondola is the only way to get up there, which makes this little hideaway even more exciting, and the view over Lech is equally wonderful during the night and during the day.

When it comes to dinner, I love to go to the pizzeria Schneggarei in Lech, which is a great place to unwind after the heated Aprés-Ski atmosphere. The Ambrosiusstube is where I go when I want a casual dinner in a cosy atmosphere. For those who want to try something new, I recommend the exquisite fusion of Asian specialities and Western essences at FUX.

I’m definitely up for drinks after dinner, so it’s off to the Krone Lounge again, which is just super warm and welcoming, with its open fireplace and great atmosphere. A night out is best spent at the Hotel Krone’s very own K.club, or Vernissage in the nearby village of Zürs. Both clubs play cool music and are open long enough to satisfy true night owls. For all visitors of Lech and the area, I always recommend staying at the Circle Chalets in Zug or the Hotel Bergkristall in Oberlech. Lech is no low-budget town – which I must admit at this point – but for me, there is no other ski resort that holds so much magic.

Since I don’t live directly in Lech myself, my perfect day ends back in my home village of Bludenz, which has some gems to offer too, like the restaurant Mizzitant, which might just be my favourite place to eat in the world. My husband owns the optician store Bitsche Optik  in Bludenz and this is where I, as an eyewear blogger, always look for new inspiration. Bäsa und Meh has amazing homeware accessories in their store and, last but not least, I always stop by at Jacki’s Blumen for the most wonderful flowers.