Thoughtout the new ski season, we will be highlighting ski resorts from around the world! Today we explore Ischgl ski resort in Auistria. A popular destination with avid British skiers and snowboards with so much on offer. Whilst your here make sure you check out our fantastic Ischgl ski resort guide full of useful information to help you make the perfect choice for your next ski holiday! If you are eager to get away make sure you check out of Holiday Offers where you will find some of the best holidays available across the Alps and beyond!
With an enviable location that delivers both excellent slopes, and a superb après ski scene to match, the wonderful Ischgl piste map makes for a great choice for a fun-packed ski holiday in Austria.
LET’S TALK SKIING IN ISCHGL
With one of the best snowmaking facilities to be found way up over 2000m up in the Alps, you’ll certainly be guaranteed great snow here. It’s probably most suited to intermediate skiers with a variety of wide pistes to choose from. It can be pretty busy above Adalp, so it’s probably best to head towards the end of the Ischgl piste map. We’d especially recommend that you try the runs by Visnitzkopf, in addition to the Palinkopf sector where there are two new Ischgl ski lifts. These will get you to some of the best intermediate slopes in the area, especially the ‘Duty Free Run’.
For beginners, head for Idalp. Here you’ll find fantastic facilities and a superb ski school, however as it is found at a high altitude you will get snow cover which means that you might find it cold, and vision can be more difficult when the weather isn’t great. The Sonnenhbahn chair brings warming relief with its heated seats and bubbles. Once you’ve mastered the beginner slopes, it’s worth heading to Flimjoch where you’ll enjoy its gentle rolling terrain.
Advanced skiers won’t be disappointed. With your Ischgl lift pass, take the Piz Val Gronda cable car to find the best slopes. If it’s steep groomed runs you’re looking for, you’ll want to head for Greitspitze and its welcoming heated leather seats on the chairlift that get you to the action. If you’re looking to get some ski touring experience, it’s well worth hiring a local guide.
THE RESORT
Ischgl is compact at around 2km in length, but it definitely has a typical Austrian feel to it. You’ll find that the Ischgl slopes resemble more of a French purpose-built resort than Tyrolean; it’s high and you’re guaranteed snowsure slopes; making it a perfect location for intermediate skiers. Style-wise, you’ll find it’s built in a traditional chalet style, with some superb shops that shopaholics will love, if on the expensive side. It definitely comes to life when it comes to the après ski, the Ischgl restaurants and bars will keep you partying until the early hours.
STAYING IN ISCHGL
Most of the Ischgl ski accommodation is of an excellent quality, although the prices don’t always reflect the quality. You’ve got 4-star Ischgl hotels in the main, but you will also find some 3-star hotels here too. There’s a limited amount of catered apartments here, although you will find lots of apartments to choose from which are highly rated.
ISCHGL SNOW CONDITIONS
When it comes to the Ischgl weather, you’ll be guaranteed of a snowsure resort due to its high altitude, with the slopes seeing an average of 32cm of snow on a weekly basis, with an average of 3.7 snow days per week throughout the winter.
ISCHGL RESORT LIFE
Visitors to Ischgl will love its traditional vibe, and particularly its traffic-free centre. Its high altitude makes it a great location for reliable snow throughout the season. You’ve got a fair-sized area of slopes that are linked with Samnaun in Switzerland; making it a superb area for Austro-Swiss skiing; a particular plus for this resort not seen elsewhere. It’s known for being one of the top, and largest ski areas in the whole of the Tyrol.
Busy both night and day, visitors will love the fantastic range of shops as much as the restaurants and bars, with lots for non-skiers in Ischgl to enjoy too. Whether it’s ice skating or snow shoe hikes, tobogganing or winter hiking trails, there’s something for everyone to experience.
WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT ISCHGL?
Ischgl certainly has the reputation of being one of the best designed resorts in Austria, and in fact the world. With its superb high-tech lifts, it boasts a double-decker cable car and a funitel which runs on two cables instead of one; you’ll certainly get to the slopes quicker. It has a fair-sized area of slopes to enjoy, especially thanks to its links to Samnaum in Switzerland. Off the slopes, visitors to Ischgl will love its pedestrian centre and its exceptional après ski. You’ll certainly see why Ischgl has a reputation for being a cool party location; with it also being the venue for a huge ‘top of the mountain’ concert at the end of April – featuring iconic names such Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Elton John and Tina Turner to name just a few.
THE SNOWRESORT VERDICT
We like Ischgl with its reputation for being an excellent location for skiing as much as its party scene off the pistes. If you’re looking for ideas for non-skiers in Ischgl, there’s much to enjoy here with great shopping, however the resort can feel a bit urban. Visitors will love it world class snow park.
If you like the sound of Ischgl do not forget to check out our fantastic La Plagne ski resort guide! If you do fancy making Austria your next ski destination then also check out our St Anton & Kaprun resort guides.
