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Ski resorts in Ischgl

The extensive ski resort of Ischgl is located in the Silvretta Mountains in the Austrian Alps, very close to the Swiss border. Ischgl boasts an extremely high altitude of between 2,000 and 2,872m, affording access to the ski slopes for six months of the year.

The town of Ischgl rests on a small hill in a deep valley, and is conveniently walkable from one end to the other, owing to a network of elevators and short-cut tunnels. The ski resort has done a fine job of retaining its small town charm and appearance, with no high-rise buildings to interrupt the view or detract from the atmosphere.

Ischgl encompasses a vast ski area, offering over 200kms of slopes, connected by a system of 42 lifts. The ski resort is known for the reliability of its snow conditions and its high quality, wide-open runs, most of which are fairly challenging and cater to intermediate level and upwards. Ischgl is not really recommended for first-time skiers – although nursery slopes are available and are situated far above the town.

Ischgl’s attractions go far beyond its ski slopes. The resort’s facilities are nothing short of amazing, including a seven-kilometre toboggan run, a bowling alley, paragliding amenities, an indoor swimming pool, historical monuments, zoological gardens and a national park. The ski school is efficient, offering first-rate tuition from English-speaking instructors. A ski kindergarten is also available.

Owing to its lofty altitude, Ischgl’s ski season runs for almost six months of the year, from late November to early May. Conditions are optimal from February through to the end of March, and special rates are offered before Christmas, for a period after New Year, and during the last month of the season. The easiest way to access the resort is via plane to Innsbruck (100kms away), from where you can take a train to Landeck and then a bus to Ischgl.

Skiing in Ischgl

The ski destination of Ischgl rests high on the slopes of the Silvretta Mountains in Austria, between 2,000 and 2,872m. The resort is as impressive in size as it is in altitude, with approximately 200kms of cumulative slope length on offer. Ischgl is little-known outside of Europe, but extremely popular with returning skiers for its reliable snow conditions, lengthy season and challenging slopes.

The skiing in Ischgl is ideal for intermediate and advanced/expert skiers, but not really suitable for absolute beginners – the bulk of slopes are fairly challenging, and the nursery slopes that are available are situated way above the town. The 200kms of downhill runs – some of which extend across the Swiss border - are accessible via a system of 42 lifts.

In addition to the vast amount of slope skiing, Ischgl offers 48kms of cross-country trails, and 80kms of testing off-piste trails. The Snowboard Fun Park is another attraction, with a 90-metre half-pipe, a quarter-pipe, and an abundance of terrain features, over four areas and 30 obstacles.

Ischgl’s ski season is extremely long due to the high altitude of the resort, running from late November to early May. Skiing conditions are best from February to March, and low season rates apply before Christmas, for a period after New Year, and during the last month of the season. Ischgl is located 100kms from Innsbruck, from which it can be accessed by road transportation alone, or a combination of rail and road transport.

Apres-ski in Ischgl

Après-ski and nightlife in Ischgl is rated among the finest offered by ski resorts in Austria, with an off-slope entertainment programme that extends from 15:00 to 02:00. Accommodation choices are diverse, catering for all preferences and budget allowances. Hotels, inns, holiday apartments and guesthouses (both top-end and affordable) are all available in town.

Skiing is by no means the only available activity in Ischgl. Facilities are superb and include a seven-kilometre toboggan run, a bowling alley, paragliding amenities, an indoor swimming pool, historical monuments, zoological gardens and a national park. The ski school is excellent, with efficient organisation and English-speaking teachers. Children are catered for in Ischgl by a kindergarten ski school and a nursery.

Ischgl’s après-ski and nightlife scene is among the best offered by any ski resort in Austria, with a wide variety of bars, pubs and discos offering entertainment into the early hours of the morning. Lodging in town spans a broad range of budget and style options, with hotels, inns, apartments and guesthouses to choose from.

For a change of scenery, visit Galtür, a charming little village situated 20 minutes farther up the valley and known for its cross-country trails and ski-touring opportunities.

Transportation to Ischgl

Ischgl is situated high up in the Silvretta mountain range, approximately 100kms from Innsbruck and close to the border with Switzerland. The most convenient means of reaching the resort from the UK is by taking a plane from London to Innsbruck and then either hiring a car or taking public transport to complete the journey.

Driving from the UK is a lengthy journey, involving a car ferry to the French port of Calais and an additional road distance of over 1,000kms. The highways leading to Ischgl from Calais are of a high standard, but permeated with tolls, making the journey rather expensive.

Another option is to fly into either Munich or Innsbruck airports, then hire a vehicle to access Ischgl – a shorter and easier alternative to driving all the way from the UK. From Munich Airport, bypass the city and take the A-12 through Innsbruck. From Innsbruck, take the B-188 southwest to Ischgl.

Innsbruck has good rail connections to the rest of the European continent, and rail transportation is an affordable, efficient and comfortable alternative to driving. From Waterloo station in the UK, take the Eurostar to Paris, from where you can take a connecting overnight train from gare de l’Est to Munich, and then another connection to Innsbruck via the Eurocity train. Trains run from Innsbruck to Landeck, from where there are free, hourly buses to Ischgl.

Innsbruck’s provincial airport is accessible from all major European cities, including London, Paris and Amsterdam. If you are coming from any other part of the world, you will need to go through the international airports in Munich or Zürich. Shuttles go from Munich Airport to Innsbruck, from where regular trains go to Landeck and free buses run hourly to Ischgl ski resort.

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