Ski holidays in Ischgl. Ischgl is the second best ski resort in Austria.
Ischgl is widely regarded as the second best ski holiday resort in Austria, with big ski terrain and a unique Ischgl après ski scene. Ischgl boasts a great resort with modern lifts and possibly the best après ski scene in Austria. Ischgl should be visited before its popularity soars any further.
Becoming ever more popular with the ski world outside of Austria, Ischgl ranks with the best ski areas in Europe. Not as well-known as Kitzbuhel and St Anton, Ischgl is however slowly growing into a super-resort from the confines of a compact and authentic Tirolean valley village.
The Ischgl ski area -
The popularity of Ischgl is built on solid foundations – the Ischgl ski area. It is big, of a descent height, has a huge lift system and continues to grow. There is a big learning area around the mid station at Idalp and from here the ski lifts fan out across a massive area. Idalp also has numerous lockers to leave equipment for those downloading on the lift, and a helicopter and medic station to give a bit of comfort to those using the huge, neighbouring pipe and park. Many of the runs away from Idalp are intermediate or difficult but it is the off-piste that Ischgl is famous for and as far as you can see, vast bowls await the next dump of snow.
Après ski in Ischgl -
The skiing might only be the second best in Austria, behind St Anton, but it is hard to argue that the mid season après ski scene in Ischgl can be matched anywhere, (including beyond Austria, the best country for après ski). The après ski action in Ischgl starts in slope-side bars, sometimes on the mountains and rumbles on till late in the numerous après ski lodges in the resort centre. As well as the ski boot dancing and remixed classics, there are nightclubs, table dancing and high end restaurants.
Ischgl Resort facilities -
Getting around the undulating sectors of Ischgl is aided by underground escalators which joins the two main areas of Ischgl. Spa and slope-side hotels mix with apartments and the ski area is well served by three main lifts that leave the town centre.
The downside of Ischgl -
The downside of the skiing is the ski out which in normal conditions can be great but around 4 pm, (no matter what the pistes conditions), can be horrendously crowded. Great if you are watching from the après ski bars at the bottom of the 2 main slopes but no fun for even the best riders as the mayhem sucks everyone in. The alternative is to set out earlier, later or leave your skis at the Idalp and download on the cable car, watching the carnage below. The other minus is accommodation which is hard to come by during the peak times. That said, if the two downsides of Ischgl are the popularity, then Ischgl must have a lot going for it.
