Is Ischgl a good ski resort?
Ischgl is best known for two things: a modern, high ski area that holds its snow from late November to early May, and some of the loudest après-ski in the Alps, with season-opening and closing concerts on the mountain. If you want quiet evenings, look elsewhere.
Height and ski area
The village is at about 1,377 m, but almost all of the skiing is higher, between about 2,000 m and the Palinkopf at about 2,870 m. Several gondolas lift you straight out of the village to Idalp, the hub of the area. The Silvretta Arena links Ischgl with Samnaun in Switzerland, a duty-free village, for about 240 km of pistes in all.
The terrain is mostly intermediate: long, wide, well-groomed reds and blues above the treeline. There are blacks and off-piste for experts, and good beginner areas at Idalp, though beginners have to ride a gondola back down at the end of the day.
Snow and when to go
High altitude and heavy snowmaking make Ischgl one of the most reliable resorts in Austria early and late in the season. Being above the trees, it’s less pleasant in storms and flat light.
Getting there
Innsbruck is the nearest airport, about 100 km away. Trains run to Landeck-Zams on the Arlberg line, with buses up the Paznaun valley to Ischgl.
