montafon valley

:?: hi, anyone out there been to the montafon valley, we will be staying in feldkirch and travelling in. I would really like to know a little bit about it, you know the sort of stuff where best to ski ,eat etc....

hi, never been to that area myself but ski resort wise you'd probably be looking at Lech, Zurs and even St Anton. Looks like a very pretty part of Austria, enjoy!

We spent a year living in Schruns (Montafon) more than 20 years ago, and we return from New York often to visit and ski. Lech, Zurs and St. Anton are NOT in the Montafon but are about 60 min driving time from Schruns (the heart of the Montafon) and absolutely worth a few days of skiing. Plus, Lech/Zurs get the best snow in all of western Austria. This last year proved it: Ischgl, at higher elevation, had bare spots even in February at 2000m, but Lech and Zurs had new and plentiful snow.

The Montafon is wonderful, more traditional, quieter and far less crowded than most Austrian resorts. If it's possible, I would choose NOT to stay in Feldkirch, because -- while it's a beautiful city -- you'll drive 45-90 minutes from Feldkirch to Montafon skiing (Hochjoch, above Schruns; Silvretta Nova, above St. Gallenkirch; and Schafberg, above Gargellen). We always stay in Schruns, which is a gorgeous little town, with many non-ski diversions. St. Gallenkirch would be another good choice, at the base of Silvretta Nova and closer to Gargellen, which is a gem of a town and resort. Throughout the Montafon, skiing ranges from long, scenic greens below the tree line to excellent intermediate cruisers to steep and bumpy off-piste. Silvretta and HochJoch are very extensive, and will please skiers of all abilities. The on-mountain lodges are very atmospheric, with excellent food. The lift systems are very good (though, to my knowledge, have not yet installed the heated chairlift seats that Lech and Zurs now have).

Our favorite restaurant in Schruns is the Hotel Krone, right by the river in the center of town -- very traditional, and the service and food are very good.

If you take a day off skiing while in the Montafon, consider walking from Bartholomaberg, above Schruns, to Kristberg, and eating at the gasthof there.

The Montafon is a very, very special place. We live 4,000 miles away and have returned again and again, though virtually no Americans know of it. While we have skied all over the Alps, the U.S. and Canada, the Montafon remains our favorite place to visit and ski. When you get there, you will know what I mean. It's utterly delightful.

Enjoy!