642 The name „Lech“ as referring to the river appears for the first time as „Licca“ in a written document.

1059 Emperor Henry IV donates a large hunting area around the Widderstein to the Bishop of Augsburg, who holds the ecclesiastical property rights of this area until 1814.

In 1300 Permanent settlement of the area along the young Lech River takes place by „Walser“ families who came from the Western Canton of Valais in Switzerland who cultivated the high valley and made it arable. Since they found large pine forests, the area is called „Tannberg am Lech“. Over the centuries the name became shortened to „Lech“. The Walser people obtain feudal tenure of the land from their Swabian landlords for a reduced rent in kind. In order to convince them to settle in the sparse mountain landscape, they are provided with special rights and freedoms. Among other things, they obtain their own court house that is located in the „White House“ across from the Hotel Krone. This building, next to the parish church, the oldest building in town, is still well preserved. The Walser-Court originally also had jurisdiction over the neighboring communities of Schroecken, Hochkrumbach, Warth and the Kleine Walsertal.

1574 & 1635 The plague rages in Lech, numerous people fall victim to the disease.

1806 The Walser-Court is eliminated: Tirol and Vorarlberg have to be turned over to the Kingdom of Bavaria during the Napoleonic wars (until 1814).

Until 1895 Mountain farmers exclusively live from diary farming and animal husbandry. In winter they are often isolated from the outside world as only mule tracks and wagon trails threatened by avalanches lead into the high valley.

1895 - 1897 Construction of the Flexen road

1906 A new and hopeful time of economic progress begins as skiing becomes popular. The first ski course for natives is held by Viktor Sohm in Zürs. Skiing pioneers from the Lake Constance area discover the wonderful area on the Arlberg and the Flexenpass as the ideal area for winter sports.

1923/24 During the Twenties Zürs experiences a rapid economic upswing. An alpine settlement quickly turns into an international winter sport resort. The first group of ski courses is offered to guests.

1937 The first ski lift in Austria is built in Zürs. The worldwide depression of the Thirties and WW II interrupt the economic boom.

Since 1949 International tourism begins again and leads to fast forward developments resulting in extensive construction activities.
Today Lech and Zürs have a population of about 1,500 and offer 8,300 beds for guests. Annually, they provide a total of almost 1 million guest nights: about 800,000 during winter, about 150,000 in summer.
Lech is also a very attractive vacation spot during summer; Zürs, however, is closed during the summer months.