Ischgl

Ischgl Ski Resort

Ischgl is one of Austria’s finest resorts. It’s home to big linked area of cross-border skiing, the lift system is the world’s leader and the après scene is up there with the best.

Snowsure, wide and always immaculately groomed would sum up the pistes in Ischgl. Its high-altitude terrain, linked over the Swiss border to Samnaun, is always amongst the first to open and last to close each season. Add in the world’s most comfortable and powerful lift system – there’s been on average a new lift here each winter since 2000 – and it is clear why the resort is always busy, perhaps its only slight downfall.

The number of visitors does mean however that there is always a buzz around the compact resort centre, especially during après. The action starts on the slopes at Paznauner Thaya, before ending up in the legendary Kuhstall or Schatzi Bar – often continuing through dinner into the small hours. Despite this you can easily have a quieter break and enjoy one of the resort’s numerous family-run hotels, many of which have excellent spas.

Skiing with a Ski Club Leader is by far the best way to experience Ischgl, both on and off the slopes. We’ll be in from 5th January right through until 6th April.

Keen to meet up with other Ski Club members in resort this season? Make sure you join the Ski Club’s Ischgl Facebook Page before you arrive and let the 100+ members know that you’ll be there! 

Our Ischgl Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
• Advanced ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Après ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Ischgl Skiing and Snowboarding

Most of the skiing takes place well over 2000m and thanks to one of the best snowmaking systems in the Alps, great snow is almost guaranteed. The network of wide pistes generally suits intermediate skiers best, but there is a great learner area by Idalp and some of the steeper runs in the Palinkopf sector and by the new Gampenbahn are really popular with experts. Intermediates upwards must try the long, winding ‘Duty Free Run’ down into Samnaun, which takes you through a wild valley down into Switzerland.

• Total Pistes: 239km
• Blue: 20%
• Red: 59%
• Black: 21%
• Ski Routes: 15km
• Lifts: 41
• Altitude: 1377m – 2872m

For Beginners

All of the beginner areas are located up the hill at Idalp. The facilities and the ski school are fantastic, but whilst the altitude guarantees snow cover, it can get cold and difficult to see in bad weather – the heated seats and bubbles on the key Sonnenbahn chair do help though! Once the basics have been mastered, head over Flimjoch to the gentle rolling terrain above Alp Trida in Switzerland. Downloading to town is required at the end of the day however, as the resort runs are steep and can often be very busy.

For Intermediates

For intermediates, there are fantastic options across the mountain. We’d recommend avoiding the busy slopes above Idalp and head to either end of the piste map, especially if the sun is out. There are some great, cruisey runs by Visnitzkopf and the two new lifts in the Palinkopf sector – particularly the Gampenbahn – have improved access to some of the finest long intermediate runs in the resort, including the ‘Duty Free Run’. If conditions are tough, downloading at the end of the day is recommended.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

The best advanced off piste terrain can be found off the Piz Val Gronda cable car and near the Höllspitze chair. If you’re looking for steep groomed runs, head to the Greitspitze, where laps of steep corduroy are made much more pleasant by the heated leather seats on the chairlift back up. Away from the ski area there are some fantastic ski touring options – hire a local guide.

Ischgl Piste Map

The piste map covering both Ischgl and Samnaun can be downloaded here.

Ischgl Ski Pass Prices

A season pass costs €788 and for shorter stays there are two options available. The local Silvretta Pass covers the main Ischgl and Samnaun ski area, whilst the VIP Skipass also includes Kappl, See and Galtür – the other resorts in the valley. You can only buy the latter however if you stay in Ischgl or Mathon and have an Ischgl guest card.

Note that these prices may change, so check on the resort’s website for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009.

Ischgl Season Dates

• Opening Date: 22nd November 2018
• Closing Date: 1st May 2019

Ischgl has one of the longest ski seasons around, but for full details see the resort’s website and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info & advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009.

Ischgl Resort

Family run hotels and guesthouses dominate the village of Ischgl, which is compact and easily walkable via the mostly pedestrianised main street. The majority are of very good quality and many feature excellent spas. Lively bars – some of which are serious après venues (Kuhstall, Schatzi Bar) and typical Austrian restaurants are littered around the centre of town. Cheaper accommodation, linked by a free bus service, can be found in Kappl and Mathon.

For Families

As mentioned, the main beginner zone is up the mountain at Idalp, but the fantastic ski school comes highly recommended and they’ll also deal with lunch. This gives you great freedom to explore the slopes during the day. Back in town there’s a natural ice rink, the floodlit night tobogganing run on Mondays & Thursdays is a real highlight and the be sure to watch the Ski School Demoshow every Friday at the base of the Pardatschgratbahn.

For Après

Start up on the hill at Paznauner Thaya, a big open-air bar with live music that really gets going as the sun starts to dip each afternoon. For those not partying up the hill, the action kicks off early in town, with the iconic Kuhstall and Fire & Ice leading the way by the base of the Silvrettabahn and the rowdy Schatzi Bar the place to be by the Pardatschgratbahn. Ischgl is also famous for hosting huge opening and closing concerts – the likes of Elton John and Robbie Williams have recently headlined.

How to get to Ischgl

Innsbruck is the nearest airport and is only an hour and a half’s drive to the east. We’d recommend hiring a car only if your hotel has free parking and if you’re looking to ski at the other resorts in the valley. Transfers are easy to arrange but it is also possible to travel to the resort by public transport – catch the train to Landeck and then jump on the 260 bus.

• Innsbruck airport: 1.5 hour (driving), 2 hours (by public transport)
• Zürich airport: 2.5 hours (driving)
• Munich airport: 3 hours (driving)
• Calais: approximately 13 hours driving (612 miles)

Ischgl Contact Details

• Website: www.ischgl.com
• Email: info@ischgl.com
• Telephone: +43 50 990 100
• Facebook: @ischgl.paznaun
• Instagram: @ischgl_com
• Twitter: @ischgl_insider