Sightseeing in Ischgl - what to see. Complete travel guide

The ski resort of Ischgl is very popular in Austria and beyond the borders of the country. The beautiful village is a part of Tyrol. Situated in western Austria’s Paznaun Valley, Ischgl borders with Samnaun in Switzerland. Nowadays, Ischgl is a trendy and upscale Austrian resort and the location of the 5-star Trofana Royal, the best ski hotel in the world by the Skiresort Service International. Besides that, Ischgl – Samnaun is one of the largest skiing areas in Austria, so it will be hard to explore all pistes of this resort during one stay. The ski season starts in Ischgl in mid-November and ends six months later – in April. The underground escalators are a peculiarity of this ski resort. Thanks to them, it is possible to get to ski lifts directly from hotels.

Ischgl has become famous in quite an unusual way for Austria. Until the 60s of the 20th century, alpinists and mountain skiers used the Tyrol village only as a starting point on their way to Silvretta. The first ski lift was installed here on the top of Idalp in 1963.

The second ski lift (a gondola type one) appeared in Ischgl ten years later. Four years after that, one more lift was built in the area. It could take skiers from the valley to the top. This is when the skiing infrastructure and restaurants started appearing in the mountains. The year 1977 became very important for the village resort as this is when the popularity of Ischgl started growing. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In Ischgl, tourists will find broad forest areas as well as snow-covered areas free of any trees and bushes. Because of the large size of the resort, it is better to select a suitable ski run depending on your experience after you familiarize yourself with the map of the resort. It is logical to wonder why tourists need to take such precautions. It is important to be careful because Ischgl offers a range of different ski runs with different surfaces. There are nearly flat pistes suitable even for beginners and more complex ones. For example, a mountain ski run with sharp tops can become an unpleasant surprise for an inexperienced skier. Besides that, fans of ski jumps and complex runs can easily find a suitable valley to polish their skills.

Mountain passes and depressions can be an unpleasant surprise for all tourists who visit Ischgl for the first time. They are marked on the map but it may be not easy to see them in person because many of these “hidden traps” are covered with a thick layer of snow. That being said, tourists will surely not find overcrowded ski trails and long lines of vacationers waiting for their turn near ski lifts. Are you an advanced skier? The choice of red and black ski runs is incredibly pleasant.

Ski runs on tops of hills and the plateau are the most suitable for beginners. Snowboarders will also not feel bored in Ischgl. Much to their excitement, the resort has a comfortable and modern fun park – Border’s Paradise that has a half-pipe, jumps of various difficulty levels, and elements of the trail – there are more than thirty of them.

Every guest of Ischgl can try other exciting activities besides skiing and snowboarding. For example, a sports and recreational center has appeared in the city relatively not long ago. There is also an aqua park to the service of vacationers. Fans of steam and hot temperature shouldn’t forget to check the local sauna out. This is a clean venue with modern infrastructure and comfortable steam chambers. Ischgl is also famous for its hammam.

Having enjoyed water treatments and entertainment, it is time to play billiards or bowling. Are you a fan of a more relaxed pastime? Consider visiting local restaurants that serve delicious national cuisine or simply try local ice cream. The latter is, without a doubt, particularly attractive for young guests of the resort. Life doesn’t stop in Ischgl after sunset. Vacationers simply leave ski runs to head to discos, nightclubs, and bars. The choice of entertainment venues is incredibly pleasant at the resort.

Besides the activities mentioned above, tourists can try paragliding and see the resort and its neighborhoods from a bird’s eye view. Numerous guests of the winter resort like such a popular game as curling. Small curling tournaments are not rare in Ischgl. In order to enjoy the fabulous landscapes of the area, vacationers can take a ride in a horse-driven cart or rent a four-quad and take a mesmerizing run. Locals regularly organize various performances and shows for guests of the resort, and this is the reason why Ischgl is a vibrant place full of energy and joy.

Ischgl doesn’t have an airport. The closest airport to the resort is situated in Innsbruck – the distance is roughly one hundred kilometers. It is also possible to travel from Munich, Germany. The distance from this airport is almost two hundred kilometers. Finally, the airport in Zurich, Switzerland, is somewhat more distant – two hundred and fifteen kilometers from Ischgl. Upon arrival at any of the airports mentioned above, tourists need to take a train or bus to the resort. In Ischgl, the taxi will take you to your hotel.