Ischgl
Extremely lively and luxurious hotel style resort much loved by German and Russian skiers
Ischgl resort guide - a general overview
Ischgl is a compact village with predominantly traditional style buildings, excellent intermediate slopes and one of the best lift systems in the Alps, many of the chairlifts and gondolas are actually heated. The car free resort centre comes alive after the day's skiing with lots of apres ski action that will last long into the night. Some might consider the resort swanky and brash rather than tasteful - the resort is favoured by mostly middle aged German and Russian party go-ers. However, Ischgl is a pleasant resort to stroll around with plenty of shops, tea bars and cafes. The moving walkways and pedestrian tunnels make getting about easy.
We would recommend Ischgl for those wanting to ski and party hard (in a Germanic fashion). Ischgl is a wealthy resort hence the superb lift system and the excellent early and end of season parties. The accommodation is mainly in smart hotels. So if you have a decent budget to spend on your ski holiday in Ischgl and want a great fun week in the Alps then this resort makes a great choice. More recently there have been a couple of catered chalets in Ischgl that have opened. These provide centrally located accommodation for those on more modest budgets.
Here are the comments from one of our clients in 2010: "Ischgl was superb and highly recommended. Sun most of the week after a big snowfall, what more could we ask for?? No lift queues perhaps?? We got that too!!!! Just superb! And for the lazy, lifts and moving floorways taking you to the 'queue-less' lifts! I won't even start on the apres ski, I'll be here all night!!! Everyone is keen to go again (watch this space!). What can I say but 'If Carlsberg were to design a ski resort............!'."
We can assure you not much has changed since this comment was posted.
Resort stats
200km
1,400m - 2,870m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Innsbruck
- 2hrs
6 hotels in Ischgl, Austria View All
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Charming old Tirolean village expanded in sympathetic fashion
- High slopes with reliable snow
- Lots of intermediate runs and large areas of off-piste terrain for experts
- Superb modern lift system to rival the best in Europe
- Very lively apres ski
Cons
- Lacking in large scope for beginners and timid intermediates
- Few seriously steep pisted runs
- Little wooded terrain to give shelter in bad weather
- Eurotrash style apres-ski in smart 4 star hotels and lots of drinking
- English less widely spoken than in many Austrian resorts
Restaurants
Ischgl Resort Restaurants
Most of the great restaurants are in the hotels. However, if you want a night out then there is the Nona for a lighter bite or the Schatzi or the Trofana Alm. The Kitzloch is good for fondues and ribs. The Allegra and Salz & Pfeffer are recommended for pizza and pasta. The Grillalm and Salnerhof are popular and offer traditional Austrian fare. The Nudel Himmel is good for local dishes and the Nevada is also worth trying. If you really want to splash out you will do well do better the Michelin-starred Paznauner Stube in the hotel Trofana Royal.
Ischgl Mountain Restaurants
Generally speaking the mountain restaurants tend to be very crowded but quite good quality. Over half now offer table service. The Paznauner Taja above Bodenalp is an attractive rustic chalet. There is often a band playing on the terrace. In Fimbatal the Bodenalpe is a quieter rustic table service restaurant. At Idalp there is a big self-service cafeteria and good table service alternative. The views here are great. The new revamped Pardatschgrat is a little quieter. The Schwarze Wand pizzeria at the top of Hollenkar is worth a visit as is the Hollboden below it. From Gampenalp you can be towed 5km by snowmobile ot the remote Heidelberger Hutte. A tough but exhilarating ride. The restaurants on the Swiss side at Alp Trida are pleasant, quieter and well recommended. The Hotel Samnaunerhof has been recommended for its fantastic Rosti while the Chasa Montana serves excellent pizza.
Ischgl Apres Ski
Ischgl is one of the liveliest resorts in the Alps. It's all about dancing in your ski boots from early afternoon to late evening! The fun starts at the Trofana Alm and the Schatzi bar of the Hotel Elisabeth with indoor and outdoor bars and scantily clad girls. Niki's Stadl is a great place to sing along to live Austrian hits. The Kitzloch is the place to dance on the tables in ski boots. The Sunn-Alm at Hotel Sonne gets crowded and has live music. The Sporthotel Silvretta and Fire & Ice are both lively all evening. The Hollboda is another recommended place for live music. If you want a calmer and slower pace we recommend the Plangger wine lounge. Here you can drink some tasty Tuscan reds while trying some delicious antipasti snacks: cheese, air-dried hams and bruschetta.
Ischgl Nightlife
Guxa and Allegra liven up after dinner whilst the Golden Eagle continues on the resorts live music antics. The Coyote Ugly at the Hotel Madlein is a lap dancing bar which just avoids being seedy. There is also a branch of the Pascha nightclubs. The Living Room in Hotel Grillalm is another lap dancing venue. There is a club under the Hotel Post with an ancient Roman theme. There is also a casino at the Post.