Ischgl, set in the beautiful Paznau Valley, offers some of the best skiing that Austria has. It also provides a link into Switzerland at Samnaun for tax free shopping (take your passport). It is a lovely Tyrolean village that has high altitude and good snow, an excellent lift system and great higher intermediate skiing and boarding. There are 200km of runs, with a bus link to Galtur for a further 65km.Beginners will have to take a lift up and back to Idalp to access the easier slopes and these can get very busy during the day. Experts also have a few problems with limited challenging stuff, although there is some great powder when the snow is good. Also, while there are two runs back to town, they are both tough reds and do get very cut up in the afternoon.
Boarders have been welcomed at Ischgl for over ten years and the terrain is great for them. There is also a big half-pipe and a highly-rated specialist park. New lifts have markedly reduced lift queues to the slopes, while the village has a largely traffic-free centre. It is an attractive place, although expensive, with a good selection of accommodation, hotels and very lively après-ski, favoured by Germans and Scandinavians. There is a reasonable range of non-skiing opportunities including shopping (see Samnaun). Overall, Ischgl is one of the best of the Austrian resorts, particularly for better intermediates and boarders. Apres Ski Ischgl has some of the best après ski in the Alps! There are a wide range of bars and nighclubs (many are part of resort hotels) as well as special events throughout the season. Try: • Pacha Nightclub (Hotel Madlein) • Feuer and Eis • Kuhstahl • American-themed Allegra Bar • Down Under • Kitzloch • Fuchsloch • Tenne Eating Out Ischgl has a good range of restaurants, with a mixture of themes ranging from traditional to Mexican, fine dining to pizza! Try: • Salz and Pfeffer • Grill Alm • La Bamba • Goldener Adler • Trofana Alm • Kitzloch (for fondue) Activities Floodlit tobogganing (7km) • Ice skating • Curling • 50km winter walks • Leisure centre with indoor pool, steam baths and sauna • Bowling • Indoor tennis • Sleigh rides Other Amenities • Banks • Shops • Museum |
|
