Ischgl Information

Apres-ski

Ischgl has worked hard to establish its après ski scene, and is now one of the most lively resorts in the Alps.

The entertainment begins straight after the slopes close with a number of busy venues opening out on to the base of the runs. The Schatzi Bar (tel: +43 5444 5411; www.facebook.com/schatzibar) is perhaps one of the most infamous, with table dancers and cheap beer.

If you stagger on to the Main Street The Trofana Alm (tel: +43 5444 602; www.trofana-royal.at) has a two-storey drinking hall that's rammed with happy après skiers most evenings.

However those who prefer wine to cheap steins should try the Romantic Champagner Alpine Lodge (tel: +43 5444 5633; www.romantica.at), which is said to sell more champagne per year than any other bar in Austria.

Later on, Pacha (tel: +43 5444 522 6202; www.pacha.at) is one of the most popular late-night clubs.

Eating out

Similar to the resort's choice of bars, there are around 40 restaurants in Ischgl, the majority of which are within the main hotels and serve Austrian and international cuisine.

The Hotel Sonne's restaurant Sunn Alm (tel: +43 5444 5302; www.sonne-ischgl.at) has a wide range of dishes from its international menu, and also offers live music, adding to the ambience.

For more casual dining, Salz und Pfeffer (tel: +43 5444 5918; www.adler-ischgl.at), serves excellent pasta dishes, as well as salads for the more carb-conscious, while the Hotel Gramaser's Grill Alm restaurant (tel: +43 5444 5293; www.ischgl.cc) is a good choice for carnivores, priding itself on its steak.

Among the top gourmet offerings are Paznaunerstube in the 5-star Hotel Trofana Royal (tel: +43 5444 600; www.trofana-royal.at) and the Stüva restaurant in the Gasthof Yscla (tel: +43 5444 5275; www.yscla.at); both come highly rated by the Gaut Millau guide.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

Although skiers and boarders might find Ischgl's routine of skiing all day and partying all night pretty exhausting, the resort does have extensive non-ski facilities to fill the hours in between runs.

Indoors, there is a swimming and fitness complex that offers discounted admission to holders of ski passes valid for three days or longer. There are also indoor tennis courts at Galtür, and a nine-pin bowling alley, films shown in the Silvretta Centre, an art gallery and three museums. There is also the historic parish church of St Nicholas where classical music concerts are sometimes staged.

Back outdoors, there's an ice rink, mini-golf course, sleigh rides, cleared winter paths and an excellent toboggan run.

For those with a head for heights, paragliding trips (tel. +43 676 917 4054) are also available at the resort, offering visitors the chance to soar high above the busy slopes for a range of different durations.

Family fun

Ischgl's Gästekindergarten ski school is located up on the mountain at the Silvretta cable car top station, making it convenient for non-skiers wanting to see their little ones make their first tumbles and turns on the slopes. It's open from 1000 to 1600 daily and accepts children of any age.

Children aged three and over can opt to join Ischgl's ski kindergarten (tel: +43 5444 5377), which has its own separate fun learning area. Full day cover with lunch is available on request. Off the slopes, Ischgl has good facilities for families, with a popular adventure swimming pool complex and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Retail therapy

There are a wide range of shops in Ischgl, which cover all holiday requirements and provide a good range of fashion and gift shopping opportunities.

One unique opportunity is to ski over the border into Switzerland carrying a backpack and shop in the glittering duty-free shops of lift-linked Samnaun. The ski run down into the village is called the 'Duty-Free Run' as it provides slopeside duty-free shopping for low-priced jewellery, fashion, electronics, alcohol and cigarettes. Be wary that you do not exceed duty free shopping limits though (published on Ischgl's website) or you'll be asked to pay tax when you ski back.

Splashing out

The Silvretta area has 74 peaks in total and good skiers and boarders can try ski touring with an expert, such as mountain guide Stefan Jungmann (tel: +43 664 179 6389). The ski touring season lasts from February until May. Silvretta is particularly good for 'extreme' skiing because there are few crevasses and, of course, Stefan knows where they all are.

Hotels

There are as many guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, apartments and hotels in Ischgl as there are days in the year. Together, they offer more than 11,400 guest beds – contributing to Ischgl growing to become one of Austria's biggest resorts.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap