Race of the White Ring

Once a year, one of the Alps’ most legendary ski circuits becomes a spectacular racecourse. In Lech Zürs am Arlberg, Der Weiße Ring – The Race invites ambitious skiers to take on 22 kilometres of skiing, spectacular Alpine scenery and a challenge unlike any other.

On 16 January 2027, around 1,000 participants will gather in Lech Zürs for the next edition of this iconic race. Starting high above the resort at the Rüfikopf, competitors set off two at a time before racing around the Omeshorn, through Zürs and Zug, and finally back towards the finish in Lech.

The figures tell part of the story: 22 kilometres, an intense uphill section, five downhill sections, five lifts, and 5,500 metres of accumulated ascent and descent. But Der Weiße Ring – The Race is about much more than performance.

The race follows a route deeply connected to the history of Lech Zürs. For more than 60 years, Der Weiße Ring ski circuit has linked Lech, Zürs, Zug and Oberlech, combining mountain landscapes with generations of Alpine innovation. Its story is closely associated with ski pioneer Sepp Bildstein, who helped develop the first surface lift in Zürs and laid the foundations for what would become this legendary circuit.

That pioneering heritage comes alive on race day. While participants compete against the clock, spectators follow the action along the course and gather at the finish line in Lech, creating an atmosphere where sporting challenge and community celebration come together.

Unlike an elite World Cup event, Der Weiße Ring – The Race gives passionate recreational skiers the opportunity to become part of the story themselves. It transforms an iconic ski itinerary into a personal challenge — one where endurance, technique and a love of the mountains matter in equal measure.

In Lech Zürs, you don’t simply ski the legend. For one unforgettable day, you race it.