ZÜRS, AUSTRIA

Ten minutes' drive towards St. Anton from Lech, Zürs is almost on the Flexen Pass, with good snow virtually guaranteed. Zürs was a tiny hamlet used only only for farming during the summer until (in the late 1890s) the Flexen Pass road was built and Zürs began to develop, entering the wintersports scene in the early 20th century.

The village is even more exclusive than Lech, with no hotels of less 3-star standing, and a dozen 4-star and 5-star hotels around which life revolves. But the opulence is less overt here. There are few shops.

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.

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.

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.

What's Great	What's Not-So-Great
+ In terms of skiing, the resort is a jewel + Connected via lift to the neighboring resort Lech + Solid resort for Intermediate and Expert skiers + Great place to experience heliskiing	- Not much to offer for cultural events - A bit on the expensive side - Pro / racing skiers should look elsewhere for challenging slopes - Virtually no snowmobiling or ice climbing