ischgl austria
Ischgl was once a farming village on the road up and over the pass into the next province of Vorarlberg - in fact, the original settlers were thought to have come from over the mountains as the entrance to the Paznaun valley was difficult because of the gorge.
Nowadays the village has good road connections to the main Inn valley, which have been repaired after the recent summer flooding. Those travelling by car should remember, however, that this is a resort surrounded by high mountains and chains and winter equipment are a necessity. The summer route over the Bielerhöhe is closed in the winter and those relying on software for navigation should route their journey via the town of Pians at the entrance to the valley.
The locals are justifiably proud of their ski area, which crosses the border into Switzerland and links up with the tiny duty-free resort of Samnaun. Three large lifts take the skier up to the Idalp and a vast choice of long and mainly intermediate ski runs at a snowsure altitude.
