Ischgl
Ski Resort

Ischgl’s ski slopes don’t always get the same press attention as the headline acts in its Top of the Mountain concerts, but they are the real stars of the show. In the main Ischgl-Samnaun area, there are 239km of them. And if you really want more, there are a further 127km in nearby bus-linked Galtür, Kappl and See.

Ischgl has pistes for skiers of all standards although intermediates will have the most fun on its perfectly-groomed reds and blues. Beginners have sunny but snowsure nursery slopes and magic carpet lifts up the mountain at Idalp, a gondola-ride away from the resort. Advanced skiers have black runs, avalanche-secured extreme ski routes, and further off-piste terrain for which they will need a guide.

Almost all of Ischgl’s ski area is above 2000m, and it’s in one of the snowiest parts of the Alps, plus it has about 1,100 snow-guns as back-up. Consequently, it has a long winter season with reliable snow cover.

Ischgl’s apres-ski starts in its mountain restaurants: once the sun comes out and DJs turn up the volume, the party begins. Down in the resort, the pedestrianised high street is lined with bars that start filling up as the lifts close, and many stay open until late. But the nightlife isn’t one-dimensional: there are seriously good restaurants too, mostly in luxury hotels.

The resort is quite large, but it’s well designed, with lift stations in the centre and the north-east end, and multiple ski runs descending into it. Most of the buildings are based on traditional Tyrolean chalets, but tend to be larger and more garish. And overall Ischgl is neither pretty nor ugly: it’s just fun.