Ischgl, Austria

* Huge ski area with state-of-the-art lift system...

* Excellent snow record..

* Some of the liveliest après-ski in the world...

Ischgl has it all – extensive, varied slopes linked to Samnaun in Switzerland, highly dependable snow and (arguably) the most efficient lift system in the world. In many ways the skiing has all the attributes of a high purpose-built French resort, but the village is unmistakably Tirolean and the nightlife is in a league of its own!

Ischgl at a glance...

Resort height:	1400m
Slopes:	1400-2870m
Pistes:	238km
Snow rating:	☆☆☆☆☆

Suitability		Skiing
Beginners	☆☆☆☆☆	Blue runs	●	20%
Intermediate	☆☆☆☆☆	Red runs	●	64%
Advanced	☆☆☆☆☆	Black runs	●	16%

Resort		Transfer time
Charm	☆☆☆☆☆	Innsbruck	1hr30
Convenience	☆☆☆☆☆
Après-ski	☆☆☆☆☆
Family	☆☆☆☆☆
Non-skiers	☆☆☆☆☆

Snow reliability

General snow cover	4.5/5
Snow quality – upper	4.5/5
Snow quality – lower	3.5/5
Resort level snow	3.5/5
Powder potential	4/5

The skiing

Ischgl’s slopes are spread across a number of high snowy bowls (mostly) above the treeline. There is an excellent variety of terrain for all levels – lots of wide motorways for easy cruising, as well as a number of genuine challenges both on and off-piste. There are also several beautiful long runs well away from the main lift system, including one down to Samnaun in Switzerland where you can stock up on your duty-free.

Complete beginners have a decent snow-sure nursery area up the mountain at Idalp, but no special lift passes.

The resort

Located in the Paznaun Valley not far from St Anton, Ischgl is a sizeable village with an ingenious lay-out (involving underground moving walk-ways) that means that you never seem to be far from the lifts or the centre.

Although of traditional Tyrolean appearance, Ischgl is a major international resort that is popular with the jet set and boasts some of the liveliest nightlife in the Alps! Non-skiers are well catered for with an excellent sports centre and lots of winter walks, many of which are at altitude and accessible by lift.