ischgl ski resort
Ischgl - perhaps more than any other resort in Austria - has completely changed its image over the last years.
Once a quiet mountain village away from the mainstream, marketing now keeps the name of Ischgl in the forefront of people's minds. Rock concerts on the main ski slopes with top world stars or - in the summer - a plan to build a stone staircase to the top of one of the nearby mountains guarantee a steady stream of publicity.
Of course, marketing doesn't help that much if the product isn't there in the first place. Ischgl boasts one of the top ski areas in the Alps and the village, although small, is known for the quality of its accommodation and its nightlife.
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Last updated: 12.08.24
quick ischgl facts
Ischgl is towards the higher end of the Paznaun valley in the western part of the Tyrol. The Paznaun valley starts at Pians, where it joins the Stanzer valley coming down from St Anton am Arlberg.
The village of Ischgl is situated at 1377 metres above sea level, an altitude which ensures generally good snow conditions.
The winter season in the Ischgl-Samnaun ski area is scheduled to start on 28 November 2024.
The end of the ski season in Ischgl is currently planned to be on 04 May 2025.
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Location: 6561 Ischgl - Tyrol - Austria
Ischgl was once a farming village on the road up and over the pass into the neighbouring province of Vorarlberg. In fact, the original settlers were thought to have arrived on the mountain trail over the pass as a gorge made any entrance to the Paznaun valley difficult.
Nowadays the village has good road connections to the main Inn valley and the nearest airport at Innsbruck. Those travelling by car
should remember, however, that this is an Austrian ski resort surrounded by high mountains
and chains and winter equipment are a necessity. The summer route over the
Bielerhöhe is closed in the winter and those relying on software for navigation
should route their journey via the town of Pians at the entrance to the valley.
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information about travel to Ischgl
The locals are justifiably proud of their ski area, which crosses the border into Switzerland and links up with the tiny duty-free resort of Samnaun. Three large lifts take the skier up to the Idalp and a vast choice of long and perfectly groomed slopes at a snow-sure altitude.
Recent investment in ski lift infrastructure has moved Ischgl into the top rank of Austrian ski resorts.
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information about the Ischgl ski area
Ischgl is a pretty compact resort clustered around the church and the two main ski lift stations. Escalators help movement from one level to another and regular ski buses serve the few hamlets which are not within walking distance of the lifts.
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information about Ischgl hotels & other accommodation
Ischgl is good for...
- high-level snow-sure skiing
- party nightlife and après-ski
- occasional 'big' events drawing tourists from all over the Tyrol, such as the rock concerts at the top of the mountain
Ischgl drawbacks...
- lifts can be crowded in high season with a long journey out of Ischgl village at the beginning of the day
- crowded and occasionally steep slopes back to resort
- high altitude runs above treeline make skiing difficult in bad weather
Nearby Ski Resorts
Ischgl is far enough up the Paznaun valley that it has no major resorts nearby - the closest smaller ski areas would be Galtür (a ski resort further up the valley often visited by Ischgl skiers), and the resorts of See and Kappl closer to the entrance to the valley.
Ischgl Video
Check out our short video overview of the ski resort: