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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1377m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[3]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[4]
Snowboarding:		[5]

Ischgl is one of the Tyrol's highest and largest ski areas, with an enviable fleet of high speed, high capacity lifts that make getting around the slopes fast and easy. The settlement in the Paznaun Valley of northern Austria is not far from the German border and popular with Germans, who drive down and
contribute to the resort's strong reputation for a very lively nightlife.

Although the village is at least a thousand years old and has had a tourist office operating since the 1920s, winter sports were surprisingly late to arrive, in the 1960s. However, this comparatively late start has meant that, despite its rapid growth, the ski area, which now extends over the Swiss border
to meet the lifts of Samnaun, is well designed to modern standards.

The regional ski pass also covers neighbouring smaller ski areas in the Paznaun valley including those above Galtur, Kappl and See. A ski bus service links them together.

Ninety percent of Ischgl's ski area is located between 2000 and 2872m, meaning that the resort is relatively snowsure from November to May. Extensive snowmaking cover backs up mother nature when needed.

It has become famous over the past decade for high profile pop concerts at each end of this long season to highlight the fact that, whilst many other resorts are closed, they're skiing at Ischgl. Elton John, Bon Jovi, Diana Ross, Sting, Alanis Morisette, Tina Turner, Pink and many other famous stars have now performed at these 'Top Of The Mountain' spectaculars.

Beginners

Although Ischgl is higher than most Austrian ski resorts and has resort-level snow cover for much of the season, the village has dispensed with any resort-level skiing and beginners join everyone else taking the gondolas or cable car up to the Idalp plateau at 2320m.

The Skischule is well established here with nursery slopes and dedicated beginner areas and lifts. Once you've mastered basic technique there are longer and longer easy blue runs in the area to progress on to, served by easy to ride and state of the art six and eight seater chairlifts.

Intermediates

With one of the world's biggest ski areas and most up-to-date high speed lift networks to speed you around it, intermediates will be thrilled by all that Ischgl has to offer. The majority of the ski slopes lie at a higher altitude than most other Austrian ski areas, meaning they're more snowsure and open up a large vertical, allowing for descents of up to 11km (seven miles).

You can choose between the 'local' pass which covers 230km of terrain and the Silvretta regional pass which also includes Galtur, See and Kappl's ski areas. Although there's enough at Ischgl to keep you entertained for a week, all three of the others do have their own unique attractions and excellent long runs, so are worth the trip if you opt for the larger area pass.

Advanced

Highly regarded by expert skiers, Ischgl is one of a handful of resorts worldwide that offers more than 64km (40 miles) of groomed black graded piste.

However it gets better still for advanced skiers, because the resort is even more famous for its huge amount of off-piste freeriding terrain, again one of the world's largest. Sign up with a guide who will take you to the best spots in safety.

Snowboarding

Ischgl is one of the world's leading snowboarding centres and hosts the highest level of competition including International Ski Federation snowboard world cup contests. Indeed the first ever snowboarding world cup contest was staged here in 1993.

The resort has a permanent half pipe that is 90 metres (300 feet) long and a terrain park, named Boarder's Paradise, divided in to four sectors and containing more than 30 features. The park is accessed via the Idjoch chairlift. Then there's the huge choice of freeriding opportunities.

Other Activities and Facilities

Indoor facilities include a public sports centre with indoor leisure pool, four indoor tennis courts, bowling, sauna, solarium, and massage.

Alternative outdoor options include 48km of cross country trails between Ischgl and Galtur, a natural ice rink with four curling lanes, winter hiking paths towards neighbouring Versahl and Mathon and within the ski area, so you can take a gondola up and walk down.

There is also a seven kilometre (four and a half mile) long toboggan run down from the Idalp to Ischgl, floodlit for night sledging twice weekly. Horse drawn sleigh rides are available from Franzl's Hamat day or evening.

The village has a doctor, dentist, three banks, seven ATMs, a post office and a wide range of shops.

Après Ski and Dining Out

Almost as famous for its après scene as it is for its slopes, there's hedonism to be had day or night with popular venues heaving as soon as the lifts close, others with Tyrolean table dancers and happy hours to offer. Feuer and Eis, Down Under and Tenne are all very popular, later on the Pacha is the leading night club.

There are about 40 restaurants, many of them hotel-based with Tyrolean staples on offer,but there are pizza and Mexican establishments if you fancy a change from the fondues. La Bamba and Trofana Alm are both highly regarded.

Families

Ischgl's size means that it is well equipped for families. There's a good choice of family friendly restaurants, and facilities like the swimming pool are popular in the evenings. On the slopes Ski und Snowboardschule Ischgl organize a kindergarten with or without skiing for children aged three to
five, in a special facility on the Idalp at the top of the ski area.

Accommodation in Ischgl

• Elisabeth - 4 star,
• Fliana - 4 star,
• Litzner - 3 star,
• Madlein - 4 star,
• Madlein - 4 star, half board
• Seiblishof - 4 star, half board
• Seiblishof - 4 star, half board
• Seiblishof - 4 star, half board
• Trofana Royal - 5 star, half board

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