Ischgl ski resort

Ischgl is a popular ski resort located in Austria, the resort offers some of the best slopes in the world that would challenge all types of skiers. The resort has over 148 miles of pistes. Some of the pistes are ideal for intermediate skiers who enjoy miles and miles of ground to cover every day. Ischgl has some of the best pistes and the logistics throughout the area is state of the art. New investments into the resort have resulted in more than 62% of its capacity has been converted into high-speed lifts. among some of its grandiose plans is a new chairlift that will take skiers from Vensil on the west slopes towards the Piz Val Gronda located at 2850 metres.

Ski Information for Ischgl

Ischgl is a popular ski resort in Austria, the resort is famous for German skiers and tourists. Recently the popularity of the resort is beginning to attract a large number of visitors from around the world specifically from USA and Britain.

For Beginners

The Ischgl has little to offer to beginners. The high altitudes and runs are hard for beginners but there are excellent options for those planning to get into the sport. For beginners, the ideal route is to take the Silvrettabahn gondola from the village center towards Idalp. It is essential for beginners to take lessons before heading on to ski on their own.

Samnaun

Despite the large skiing area available at Ischgl, the pistes are generally more suited for intermediate and family skiing. The most challenging network of marked runs is for expert skiers. Ischgl has a large amount of off-piste area so when the snow conditions are good heavy snowfall makes the entire resort skiable. The invisible line that lines the peaks of the Greitspitz and Idjoch is the primary connection between Austria and Switzerland. It is an ideal location for cross border skiing fans. Apart from being a border skiing area between Austria and Switzerland, the town is linked with Samnaun - a small Swiss resort that offers skiing among other attractions.

The City of Iscghl

Much of the Ischgl ski area is located at 2000 metres and from the Ischgl village located at 1400 metres skiers can take the gondola to reach the main skiing area. From the village center, Silvrettabahn and from the eastern end the Fimbabahn takes skiers to the Idalp located at an altitude of 7,582ft. The third gondola, the Pardatschgratbahn gondola, is located parallel to the Fimbabahn that goes to Pardatschgrat located at a very high altitude of 8,609ft.

Idalp and Alp Trida for Intermediate

Idalp is suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers, the area near the lift station is always crowded with skiers with ski maps navigating their way across the slopes and pistes. The resort is slightly confusing and some runs are difficult. This particular ski area is massive and taking a wrong lift is common in fact taking a wrong run could even get problematic. From Idalp the skiers can go farther by taking the Idjochbahn, which is the world’s first eight-person bubble covered chairlift. The highest station is very close to Switzerland where the skiers can enjoy long cruise runs towards Alp Trida. This is another must try stopover for intermediate skiers. The area is large with a lot of red and blue marked slopes.

For Expert Skiers

The main starting points at Ischgl for advanced skiers are Greitspitz, Palinkopf and Paznauer Taya. Together these locations provide a challenging adventure for expert level skiers. The skiers can take a drag lift from the highest station of Idjochbahn towards the highest point Greitspitz located at an altitude of 2872 meters. From this point begins the three black runs. One of the most interesting of the three black routes is the 14a which takes skiers down to Hollenkar valley. To go to the next challenging locations the skiers can take the Hollkarbahn chairlift that links towards Zeblasbahn. This location has the most challenging swooping black descents known as route 20 and 21. These routes are perfect spots for getting spectacular massive stashes of powder.

Black Route 33

Route 33 begins at Palinkopf beneath the Hollenspitz and heads towards the Paznauer Taya segment where more black runs await skiers on each side of the Hollspitzbahn chairlift. The second location is the Fimba valley where skiers can continue onwards to the middle station of Silvretta gondola for their return trip to Idalp.

Off Piste

For many skiers, this is the kickoff point for getting to the best off piste in the resort. The most challenging slopes are located beneath the Palinkopf and the Hollenspitz. These locations are identified as off piste. The map marks these locations as red marks. The best way to visit this particular off piste is to take a guide unless the skiers are totally familiar with the area. The extreme western edge of the area starts at Pakinkopf and leads to Fimbata for another steep descent from Hollenspitz.

Eastern Side Black Run

The black runs located on the eastern side are challenging and perfect for experts. These routes are accessible by Pardatschgratbahn that goes down towards the Velilltal valley. Another route to take is to take the Idalp middle station gondola. These routes are challenging yet they provide the best views of the beautiful Ischgl and Paznaun valley.

Snow Park

One of the longest snow parks in the Alps is located in Ischgl. The Ischgl Snow Park is located in the center of the Silvretta Arena and is divided into three areas. The park is ideal for sporting events where professionals from all over the world meet. Everyone else can let off steam in the public park and for beginners, there are ramps rails and halfpipes where they can improve their freestyle skiing.

Highlights for Children and Families

At the Idalp is an adventure course located directly at the meeting point of the ski schools. These schools are perfect for children and toddlers to enjoy the snow and take their skiing lessons. Children are taught by experienced instructors on how to ski and how to use the snow-handling equipment such as skies or snowblades.