Ruqayyah Snyder
Lech, a luxury ski resort in Austria, has been a favourite among European royalty, including Princess Diana, who frequently vacationed there with her sons, Princes William and Harry. The Dutch Royal Family has also visited Lech annually since the 1950s, until their tradition was interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Lech is known for its 5-star hotels, opulent sport rental shops, and its connection to other ski areas in the Arlberg region, making it a sought-after destination for royals and the ultra-rich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Resort | Lech |
| Royalty | Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince Harry, Dutch Royal Family, Princess Caroline of Hanover, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, Princess Alexandra, King Charles, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark |
| Resort Type | Luxury, boutique, opulent, peaceful, small, unassuming |
| Resort Features | 5-star hotels, gourmet restaurants, private chalets, hot tubs, Bluetooth speaker systems, Minotti furniture, crackling log fires, grand piano, private cinema, cable cars, ski circuit, fondue restaurant |
| Nearby Resorts | Zürs, Zug, Stuben, St Christoph, St Anton, Klosters, Davos, Courchevel, Baqueira Beret |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's favourite ski resort in Austria
Lech is the perfect place for beginners to learn skiing, with exceptional snowfall and a large skiing domain. It offers brilliant routes and amenities for skiers, with 303km of pistes, 88 lifts, and easy access to nearby destinations such as Warth-Schröcken and St. Anton. The White Ring, a nearly 15-mile signposted ski circuit from Zurs to Lech, offers unforgettable views and relatively easy runs.
Princess Diana frequently visited Lech in the 1990s and was often spotted on the slopes with her sons, Princes William and Harry. Harry later wrote in his memoir, "Spare," about his wonderful memories of Lech as a child and his desire to return as an adult. Diana stayed at the Hotel Arlberg, a highly-rated five-star ski and wellness hotel with easy access to the slopes and chairlifts.
Lech is connected to neighbouring ski resorts such as Zurs, Zug, Stuben, St. Christoph, and St. Anton, making the Arlberg region the largest connected ski area in Austria. It is known as the cradle of alpine skiing, where the famous 'Arlberg' technique was developed. Despite its glamourous clientele, Lech wears its grandeur lightly, with no designer stores or self-service mountain restaurants. Instead, it offers a cosy and modest atmosphere, making it a favourite among royalty and celebrities seeking a discreet getaway.
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The Dutch Royal Family's annual trip to Lech
The Dutch Royal Family has been visiting Lech, Austria, for their annual ski trip since the 1950s. Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard first visited the picturesque Alpine town during the summer in the early 1950s and started a tradition of holidaying in Lech every February. They stayed at the traditional Gasthof Post hotel, which has also hosted royalty from Norway, Monaco, and Jordan.
Lech is a luxury ski resort that has been frequented by Princess Diana, who often vacationed there with Princes William and Harry. It is known for its 5-star hotels and opulent sports rental shops. Lech is one of five ski villages in the Arlberg region of Austria, which is now the largest connected ski area in the country. The region is rightly regarded as the cradle of alpine skiing, where the famous Arlberg technique was developed.
The Dutch Royals' annual trip to Lech was not missed for 60 years until Covid hit. The village has a population of just 1,600 people, but during the ski season, it transforms into the playground of European royalty. Princess Diana's sons, William and Harry, have fond memories of Lech, with Harry writing in his memoir, "Spare," that he wanted to return to work in Lech as an adult.
Lech offers unforgettable views and relatively easy runs for beginners or those with dodgy knees. The White Ring is a nearly 15-mile, signposted ski circuit from Zurs to Lech, with breathtaking views and cosy wooden chalets offering delicious food at affordable prices. For those seeking more luxurious accommodations, the Severins hotel offers rooms with deep tubs, Bluetooth speaker systems, Minotti furniture, and crackling log fires.
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The Spanish Royal Family's chalet in Baqueira Beret
While the British, Dutch, and Danish royal families are known to frequent ski resorts in Switzerland and Austria, the Spanish Royal Family owns a chalet in Spain's leading ski resort, Baqueira Beret. Located in the province of Lleida, Baqueira Beret is nestled in the Pyrenees, between the Aran Valley and the Àneu Valley. The resort is known for its natural setting, snowy landscapes, and luxurious amenities, attracting both local and international guests.
Baqueira Beret is Spain's largest ski resort, offering 5,600 acres of skiable terrain. The resort is highly regarded for its infrastructure, ski lifts, snow levels, luxury shops, gourmet restaurants, and 4-5 star hotels. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of landscapes, including forests, waterfalls, lakes, and ponds. The nearby capital of Val d'Aran, Vielha, offers a lively après-ski scene with clubs and other nightlife options.
In addition to the Spanish Royal Family's chalet, Baqueira Beret is home to a variety of lodging options, including the Eira Ski Lodge, which offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience for families. The lodge provides a cosy atmosphere, with appetizers served in the living room and meals shared around a big dining table. Guests can also take advantage of the nearby ski shop, Calafate, for all their gear needs.
Baqueira Beret is more than just a ski resort; it offers charm and activities all year round. Visitors can explore the nearby Aigüestortes National Park, just 90 kilometres away, and admire the stunning views. The resort also provides opportunities for dog-sledding and snowmobiling to remote locations for unique dining experiences. With its combination of luxurious amenities, natural beauty, and cultural attractions, Baqueira Beret is a favourite destination for royals and guests alike.
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The Danish Royal Family's choice of Verbier
The Danish Royal Family is one of many that chooses Verbier, Switzerland, as their ski destination of choice. The Swiss town is a short flight away for the royals and is hailed as "one of the premiere 'off-piste' resorts in the Alps and in the world". The resort offers luxurious accommodation, fine dining, and cosy bars for après-ski. The secluded and exclusive chalets also offer a haven of privacy for the royals to enjoy their downtime in peace.
The Danish Crown Prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, usually visit Verbier with their four children. Princess Mary's birthday is on 5 February, so the family often plans their trips to coincide with this date. The Swiss mountains provide easier runs for beginners or those with young children, which is ideal for the large Danish royal family.
The Danish Royal Family is a direct descendant of the Royal House of Oldenburg, a German dynasty that became connected with Denmark in 1448 when Count Christian I was elected king. The lineage of today's members of the Danish royal family can be traced back to King Harald Bluetooth, who founded the unified Kingdom of Denmark (and made it Christian) with Gorm the Old in the 10th century.
The Danish royals are not the only family to choose Verbier as their ski destination. The resort is also popular with the younger generation of the British Royal Family, with Prince William and Princess Kate having been spotted on the slopes. Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are also often joined by friends or other members of the royal family, such as Prince Harry, when they visit Verbier.
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Prince Charles' preferred ski resort in Klosters
Prince Charles's Preferred Ski Resort in Klosters
Klosters, a Swiss ski resort, is known to be the favourite of King Charles III. In 2022, the King celebrated 40 years of skiing at the resort. The resort is also known for its privacy and discretion, which is a major reason why it is preferred by the King.
The King's passion for skiing and the resort is largely attributed to his friend, Charles Palmer-Tomkinson, who also taught him and his sons to ski. The King grew to appreciate the rural nature of the village, with its farm shacks, quirky locals, and spectacular scenery. The King also enjoyed the rustic comforts of Klosters' refreshingly low-key hotels, notably the Chesa Grischuna and Hotel Wynegg.
The King has also been spotted painting his Alpine surroundings in Klosters. He is known to clean his paintbrushes in vodka poured from a hip flask stashed in his ski suit, and his accomplished watercolours capture the quiet serenity of the mountains. The King's love affair with the sport was ignited by his first visit to Klosters in 1978. He often skied to avoid the paparazzi, and his skiing skills enabled him to escape them.
The King has continued to holiday in Klosters each winter, usually with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Notably, a young William was pictured sharing a T-bar with Kate Middleton on their first officially recognised holiday together in the resort in 2004. However, in 1988, an avalanche accident at the resort killed the King's close friend, Major Hugh Lindsay, marking a turning point in his marriage to Princess Diana, who never returned to Klosters after the accident. Despite this tragic incident, the King's passion for the resort remains strong.
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Frequently asked questions
Royalty has long been drawn to Lech, a luxury ski resort in Austria. Princess Diana first visited in the 1990s and would often be spotted on the slopes with a young Prince William and Prince Harry. The Dutch royal family has visited Lech every year since the 1950s, until their streak was interrupted by Covid.
St. Anton is a ski resort in Austria that is relatively more affordable and known for attracting experienced skiers. While it is not as luxurious as Lech, royals can easily ski to Lech and Zürs from St. Anton.
The Spanish royal family has been fans of Baqueira Beret since 1980. The glamorous royal family of Monaco, headed by billionaire Prince Albert, owns a chalet in the exclusive ski resort of Zürs, which is next to Lech.
