Snow Sure Ischgl

There’s an Austrian term “Lebensgefühl” which means having a good attitude to life. Those who book their holidays in Ischgl in Austria’s Tirol region have a rich quota of “Lebensgefühl” in their veins because it exceeds all expectations when it comes to picking one of the best ski regions on the planet.

The first thing a skier needs is snow, of course, and here Ischgl is a world leader with its season starting in late November, often with more terrain open than anywhere else in Europe, sometimes the whole world, then it continues to offer the best slope conditions until early May.

It’s one of Austria’s largest ski regions too, with a huge network of 45 fast, modern lifts stretching over the border into Switzerland, so you can seamlessly ski two countries in one day. The Ischgl region with the villages of Ischgl, Galtür, Kappl and See is a top choice for your holiday base too. There’s a huge range of accommodations, great shopping and off-slope activities and a world-class, events programme through the season. That includes the famous four Top of the Mountain Concerts, held throughout the winter season until early May. There’s also a fantastic foodie scene with all types of dining, including the most gourmet options in Austria outside of the capital Vienna.

You can choose between staying in the largest village, Ischgl, or in one of the more intimate family-friendly ski villages of Galtür, Kappl and See in the immediate vicinity and perfectly connected by an efficient local transport network for the best of both worlds. There’s accommodation for all tastes and budgets, including the highest density of 4 and five-star properties you’ll find in any ski resort.

Taking a holiday in Paznaun–Ischgl means that you truly have the right “Lebensgefühl”.

Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun

The vast Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun ski area, one of the largest in Austria as well as one of the biggest crossing an international border extends to 239km (150 miles) of slopes served by 45 fast, modern, comfortable lifts.

The area is famed for its guaranteed snow cover from November to May, helped in part by its naturally snowy location and high slopes up to the Greitspitze (2,872 m) and back up by a huge snowmaking arsenal which fires up as soon as temperatures drop in the autumn.

The high altitude opens up a big vertical allowing for fabulous long runs of up to 11km (that’s the clues-in-the-name piste, “Eleven”).  Other glorious long slopes include the famous Duty-Free Run which takes you over to Samnaun in Switzerland which sells tax-free goods you can ski back with over the border into the EU (within your duty-free allowance!).

Apart from the miles of long cruisers though, there are also wonderful beginner-friendly gentle slopes and special learning slopes, fabulous snowparks for freestylers with Ischgl’s one of the world’s best, and lots of steep and deep terrain too. The latter includes excellent ski touring opportunities in the Paznaun Valley with guided multi-day tours an option and freeride off-piste powder fields with Piz Val Gronda a particular highlight. There are steep groomed blacks too, with piste 14a, which boasts a 70% gradient, the resort’s steepest.

Along with the main area above Ischgl there are several smaller family ski areas of Galtür, Kappl and See are in the immediate vicinity, easy to reach and perfect for a quieter, more intimate skiing experience, especially for beginners, intermediates and families.

Activities

There’s plenty to do when you take a break from the slopes, in the evenings or even if you visit Paznaun – Ischgl but don’t plan to ski at all! One place you won’t want to miss is the recently opened Silvretta Therme Spa Ischgl. This amazing attraction is the place to relax and recharge with 1,000 m² of water surface, 1,500 m² of sauna area, a 320m² gym and, amazingly, even an ice rink running around the outside of the building and you can enjoy curling there as well.

There’s lots to do on the snow but off the ski slopes too.  Fat biking is offered on the winter hiking trails and even the toboggan run several days a week, the oversized there’s providing grip on the snow. For winter hikers there are 60 km of cleared winter hiking routes and the option to go on a guided snowshoeing tour too. If you want to push yourself these climb as high as 2,036m altitudes, but there are plenty of shorter gentle options too.

There are viewpoints you can reach by lift too, whether on skis or foot. These include 3-S-Pardatschgratbahn A2 cable car where there’s a photo point with the Ischgl logo or ride up on the Piz Val Gronda E5 cable car for views into Switzerland then head down to the Heidelberger Hut for lunch.

There’s also the Greitspitz, the highest point in the ski area at 2,872 m and Flimjoch on the border to the Samnaun part of the ski area where you can take a snap with the Switzerland/Austria border sign.

For those who prefer their skis skinny, 80 km of prepared cross-country ski trails. That toboggan run, by the way, is 7km long and drops 950 vertical metres as you descend and it’s floodlit two nights per week (Monday and Thursday) for even more fun too. For a real adrenaline rush, Ischgl’s skyFly zip wire is a must.

Dining

The region has a huge range of dining experiences available from fast food to the highest levels of gourmet cuisine. In fact, Ischgl‘s 10 gourmet-rated restaurants are the most for any Austrian location outside of Vienna.

Most establishments are run by local families, and ingredients are sourced from local organic farmers. They often produce dishes that have been passed down through the generations. But you’ll also find all manner of international flavours available through the diverse range of dining opportunities.

In addition to the many choices in the valley there are also dozens of establishments up on the ski slopes ranging from cosy huts to stylish modern restaurants, many of them accessible by gondola lift for non-skiers to visit and take in the spectacular views whilst enjoying the fabulous food too.

Some of the best choices include The Alpenhaus which delivers an exclusive refreshment stop at 2,300 m or the cosy Gampenalpe hut with its modern design.

The restaurant Schwarze Wand serves the best pizza on the slopes and the large Pardorama restaurant serves up stylish cuisine with fabulous views.

The recently opened Street Food eatery serves food from a gondola and you enjoy it sitting on a sofa with dishes including the tempting Gampen-Schnitzel-Burger.

Dining experiences like a cheese fondue evening coupled with an evening toboggan run on the floodlit course are great fun too.

Events

Ischgl is famed for its events which are among the biggest and best in the Alps, but there’s always something happening, including smaller events throughout the winter.

The season begins on November 28th with the first skiing day in the Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun ahead of the first Top of the Mountain Opening Concert on November 30th.

In March Galtür hosts a cross-country skiing festival, something quite unusual in the Alps with the Galtür Nordic Volumes from the 27^th -29^th for everyone from beginners to pros.

Then the Spring Blanc series of festivities winds up the final month of Ischgl’s season from 6th April – 4th May 2025.

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Main Image Events in Paznaun Ischgl © TVB-Paznaun-Ischgl

 

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