Apres Ski in Ischgl
Ischgl is large and lively, and can claim to have the best apres-ski in Europe, as well as gourmet dining in its smart hotel restaurants. For those who want to stay active, there’s floodlit tobogganing, winter-walking, Nordic skiing plus the Silvretta Therme, which has impressive skating, swimming, fitness and wellness areas.
The Village
Ischgl is now more of a town than a village with few traces of its long history, but it was once a small farming community. It was first settled by the Rhaeto Romans in the 10th century, but in the 14th century it had an influx of Walsers, a Celtic people who were escaping persecution in Switzerland. Tourism became more important in the 20th century. In 1929, the tourist office was formed and its first cable-car was built in 1963.
Most of the buildings in Ischgl today are modern developments but are based on traditional Tyrolean chalets, although they tend to be much larger and more grander. The centre is largely pedestrianised, the village being bypassed by the road which continues up the valley to Galtur. An underground moving walkway links the two ends of the village.
Apres-Ski Bars & Nightlife in Ischgl
Ischgl can claim to be the apres-ski capital of Austria and the Alps, although St Anton and Saalbach might challenge this.
The action starts up the mountain in the early afternoon in the large mountain restaurants like Paznauner Thaya, Alp Trida or Salaas. Slowly it moves down to the centre of the resort at venues such as the Trofana Alm, the Ice Bar at the Hotel Elisabeth, Kuhstall,Kitzloch and Fire & Ice. Dancing on tables is common, as are dancing girls.
At peak season at 5pm it’s difficult to tell where one bar ends and the next begins, as drinkers spill out onto the pedestrianised high-street and the village centre becomes a single swaying mass of happy skiers.
But the apres-ski scene is not one dimensional. Hidden away down some of the alleys are a few simple cosy bars where you can have a cheaper, quieter drink. And every hotel has its own bar too, for more restrained sipping.
Later, on there are proper clubs, some of which are attached to swanky hotels like the Trofana Royal, and even a few lap-dancing bars.
Restaurants in Ischgl
It’s the Austrian way that most people are on half board and tend to eat in their hotels, which uniformly have a good reputation for their restaurants, and at the top end they compete for Michelin stars.
Other Activities in Ischgl
Ischgl’s most famous ‘Other Activity’ are its ‘Top of the Mountain’ concerts. But there is also a wonderful floodlit toboggan run, Nordic ski tracks and winter-hiking trails, plus the Silvretta Therme with its ice skating, swimming, wellness and fitness areas.
Top of the Mountain Concerts
Ischgl’s Top of the Mountain concerts are probably the biggest live music event in the Alps. There are between three and four of them each winter season, held either on the outskirts of the resort or up at Idalp.
Stars in the past have included Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, Robbie Williams, Black-Eyed-Peas, Shaggy, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Lionel Richie, Enrique Iglesias, Rod Stewart, Peter Gabriel, The Corrs and Alanis Morissette.
Sledging
The toboggan run from Idalp down to Ischgl is 7km (4.5 miles) long. It’s floodlit and open at night from 7pm till 8.30pm on two evenings a week (currently Mondays and Thursdays). There is an office outside the Silvrettabahn (A1) ski lift where you can rent sledges and pay for for a lift up to Idalp, as it’s not covered by the skipass.
Silvretta Theme Ischgl
The Silvretta Therme is the large modern building across the main road from most of the resort. It has a 1,300 square metre ice area with a circular rink, plus curling lanes and skate hire; a 1,000 square meter water area, with indoor and outdoor pools, saltwater pool and children’s pool; a 1,500 square metre sauna and wellness area; and a 32o square metre fitness area.
Winter-Hiking
Winter-hiking is increasing in popularity and Ischgl lies near the centre of a 100-kilometre network of winter hiking trails in the Paznaun Valley. Some start or end close to the resort, whilst others are a bus-ride away.
Nordic Skiing
Ischgl’s cross-country ski track stretches to Mathon, and there are more tracks in the other bus-linked Paznaun valley resorts.
Snow and Ice Sculpture
Another big Ischgl tradition is the Shapes in White snow sculpture competition, which attracts ice sculptors from all over Europe. The stunning ice sculptures dot the slopes and have a different theme each winter – cartoon characters, rock stars or mythological figures. The contest is held in early season and the creations are a feature of the landscape through the winter until the spring sun does its work – and the works of art melt away along with Ischgl’s season.