An 80% gradient makes this ski route in Lech Zürs one of the world’s steepest!

Shaky knees and a racing heartbeat are not uncommon here! The Rüfikopfbahn cable car transports skiers up to 2,350 m elevation and the starting point of the 4.7-km ski route, which is groomed daily by the cable car company.
 

With an 80% gradient in the upper third, the Langer Zug is one of the steepest groomed ski runs in the world. Nearly every skier on the Arlberg is well familiar with the challenge! Take a deep breath and go!
 

Access to the Langer Zug starts at the Rüfikopf panorama restaurant via ski route no. 181. From here, ski route no. 215 branches off towards the Schafalp surface lift, which transports skiers to the entry point of the steep gully in the Langer Zug. 

The gully boasts a maximum gradient of 80% in the upper area and does not forgive any errors. After successfully mastering the steep descent, you’ll reach the Schlosskopf lift at the end of the ski route, which will transport you back to the Lech ski resort. At the end of your ski day, unbuckle your skis directly at the Schlosskopf daytime car park.
 

The Langer Zug Infopoint, which opened during the 2018/2019 season, is located in near the "Schafalplift" mountain station. Here, visitors are treated to a captivating exhibition revolving around the history of the Langer Zug as well as an exciting look behind the scenes. Info charts and video material open up new perspectives on the famous ski run.
 

From the origin of its name to the history of snow grooming and avalanche protection, not to mention the construction of the Schafalp surface lift and the speed world record set on the Langer Zug by East Tyrolean skier Harry Egger in 2002, the multifaceted Langer Zug Infopoint exhibition is an excellent new attraction at the Lech ski resort.

The history of the Infopoint Hut is an amazing story: built in the early 1960s, it served the "Rüfikopf-Seilbahn AG" cable car company as storage space for the equipment used to groom the slopes of the Langer Zug. Specifically, it was home to one road roller, a VW winch weighing approx. 200 kg with winch cable, an industrial engine, and a four-speed gearbox. This road roller was steered down the steep slope by a cable car employee on skis. Of course it was hard to tell who was actually in charge! Undoubtedly, this was a hair-raising job that required a lot of courage.

Speed skier Harry Egger was responsible for yet another milestone on the Langer Zug. Though he narrowly missed setting a new world record with 248 km/h, his time on this ski route will probably never be broken. The logistical and organisational effort that was necessary for this record attempt is explained at the Infopoint.

The exhibition is open all day during normal ski operations and can be reached by ski & snowboard.