I was looking for a destination for a quiet ski weekend in Europe, ideally as close as possible to an international airport, one that was family friendly and had authentic local charm – and I think I found a great solution in the quaint little Austrian Village of Lermoos.
The village of Lermoos is part of the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena. This comprises seven charming villages in the mountainous forests of the Austrian-Bavarian border region. These are: Ehrwald, Lermoos, Berwang, Biberwier, Bichlbach, Heiterwang am See, and Namlos. They lie on the Austrian side of the Zugspitze (Germany’s tallest mountain) in the Tyrolean Ausserfern region – an area of outstanding naturally beauty all year long but especially in the winter months for snow hounds. Lermoos itself is located south of the Wetterstein range – to which the Zugspitze belongs – and north of the Mieminger chain of mountains.
Lermoos is among the oldest towns in the Tyrolean Ausserfern region. It was first mentioned in official documents dating back to 1073 but the ancient Roman road “Via Claudia” was built through the village long before then, giving it a far older history. Due to its favourable location close to the Fernpass, Lermoos was historically an important economic location but the construction of direct roads and tunnels across the Arlberg region means that today it is a quiet touristic village rather than a commercial hub. The permanent population is just over 1,000 people spread between its two subdivisions, namely Unterdorf and Oberdorf, but this does swell considerably in the peak tourist summer and winter seasons. Apart from hotels and tourist accommodation, the village is characterised by traditional houses and an ancient church, recently renovated to reflect its 18th century incarnation, including intricate baroque frescoes, as well as local gift shops and hostelries.
Skiing in Lermoos
The Ski-Resort attached to Lermoos is known as the Grubigstein. It has eight lifts giving access to twelve slopes across a total of 28 kilometres of pistes situated at an altitude of 1.000 to 2.100 metres. The lifts can be accessed right from the village, so very convenient and not far off ski in ski out!.
However, as mentioned, this is part of the larger Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena which includes 213 kilometres of slopes across the seven villages of the region divided into 9 separate ski areas. All are accessible by a single skipass- the Top Snowcard, which greatly facilitates a ski tour of the entire area for those visiting for a longer stay. All ski equipment is readily available to hire or buy locally (there are even some good ski outlet stores locally offering great value). A skibus also provides access to the other villages in the Arena.
The area has been recognized as a certified family ski region, with child-appropriate services, including ski classes, special family hotels and diverse terrain that includes plenty of nursery, beginner and intermediate slopes. There are 60 kilometres of cleared winter hiking trails locally for those who wish to enjoy the views and fresh mountain air without engaging in snow sports,
Après vibe in Lermoos
Après Ski is of course one of the key attractions for many to the slopes of Austria (including myself!) and notwithstanding its relatively small size Lermoos does boast a few bars that host a lively après scene at the end of each day with typical songs, dancing and enthusiastic singing – with drinks of course!. Not as rowdy as the larger resorts by any means, the après ski here is open to, and actively participated in, by members of the family of all ages. Perhaps a good way to get younger members initiated to the joys of Austrian Après together with older members reliving some memories!
Getting to Lermoos
One of the main attractions for me was that this resort is just over an hour’s drive from Innsbruck or Memmingen airports, while it is also only about an hour and a half from Munich. This makes it an ideal destination for a few days break or even a weekend trip. It is also just under three hours from Zurich airport, which of course has fantastic international flight connections. There are reasonable public bus connections to the village, but a hire car or transfer is definitely to be recommended. However, no matter which way you travel, the route is incredibly scenic!
Where to stay in Lermoos
Right in the centre of the village of Lermoos lies the impressive and historic Hotel Post. The hotel building dates back over 450 years to the laying of its first foundation stone in the 16th century, but it has of course been enlarged and renovated considerably over the centuries to its current imposing form. It has served as a hotel for over 300 years and in that time has hosted famous figures including the celebrated philosopher Goethe. Its traditional façade is a protected structure, as is much of the older section, but in addition to complete renovation of those sections it has otherwise been completely rebuilt with modern comforts in mind and has achieved a rating of 4-star superior.
However, it does remain a family run hotel and the Dengg family ensure the hotel has a warmth and charm often lacking in large chain hotel properties. I found it very cosy! Its two stand out features that today make it for me one of the most attractive wellness addresses in the Alps are its spa and gastronomy.
The Post Alpin Spa includes the impressive 3,000 m² Post Vitalwelt. In addition to enjoying the many usual features of a spa of this standard, guests can experience soaking in the heated outdoor saltwater pool or relax in its massive panoramic sauna enjoying direct views of the Zugspitze mountain.
The hotel’s main restaurant offers culinary delights by chef Thomas Strasser which combine traditional dishes with regional ingredients and international influences. Many of the ingredients come directly from Dengg’s own local farm. All were delicious!
Notwithstanding the resort’s reputation as a family friendly destination, the hotel does also have some “Adults only” weeks to facilitate your relaxation without the distraction of little ones.
Find more Information about this hotel on its website here: www.post-lermoos.at.
All is all, I think it’s a perfect destination for a short relaxing ski break for those who want to combine convenience, luxury, nature and relaxation – with the potential for just a hint of après madness!
