Ischgl Ski Resort

Ischgl was once a farming village on the road up and over the pass into the neighbouring province of Vorarlberg. In fact, the original settlers were thought to have arrived on the mountain trail over the pass as a gorge made any entrance to the Paznaun valley difficult.

Nowadays the village has good road connections to the main Inn valley and the nearest airport at Innsbruck. Those travelling by car should remember, however, that this is an Austrian ski 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 perfectly groomed slopes at a snow-sure altitude.

Recent investment in ski lift infrastructure has moved Ischgl into the top rank of Austrian ski resorts.

Ischgl is a pretty compact resort clustered around the church and the two main ski lift stations. Escalators help movement from one level to another and regular ski buses serve the few hamlets which are not within walking distance of the lifts.