Ischgl is a municipality in Tyrol (Austria) with 1604 inhabitants
(as of January 1, 2020). The municipality is located in the judicial
district of Landeck on the border with Switzerland.
Located
at almost 1400 meters above sea level in Paznaun, the place is known
for its Silvretta Arena ski area with 238 kilometers of slopes and
45 lifts, which is connected to the Swiss community of Samnaun. The
former mountain farming village was transformed in the 20th century
into a hotel settlement that caters to mass tourism. In the ski
season, numerous après-ski parties and concerts by various
international pop stars take place there, to which up to 25,000
visitors are expected. In January 2020 there were almost 12,000 beds
for tourists in 390 hotels for every 1,600 inhabitants.
In
March 2020, Ischgl was a focus of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.
According to research by Spiegel, more than 11,000 infections are
said to be due to the location. Since then, the Innsbruck public
prosecutor's office has been investigating whether events in the
holiday resort could have led to the epidemic spreading across
Europe and whether there is a well-founded suspicion of a “risk of
infectious diseases”.
Ischgl, a vibrant alpine village in the Paznaun Valley of Tyrol,
Austria, at an elevation of 1,377 meters (4,518 feet), is renowned
worldwide as a premier ski resort and year-round destination. With a
population of around 1,600, it transforms from a quiet farming community
into a bustling hub during winter, attracting over 1 million visitors
annually for its extensive slopes, legendary après-ski scene, and
top-tier concerts featuring global stars. Nestled amid the Silvretta
Alps, Ischgl offers a unique border-crossing ski experience with
duty-free shopping in neighboring Samnaun, Switzerland. Beyond winter
sports, the town boasts summer adventures like hiking and biking,
cultural landmarks, and natural wonders. Its motto, "Relax. If you
can...," captures the high-energy vibe, blending luxury accommodations,
gourmet dining, and adrenaline-pumping activities.
Silvretta
Arena Ski Area
The crown jewel of Ischgl's attractions, the Silvretta
Arena is one of Europe's largest and most modern ski resorts, spanning
239 kilometers (149 miles) of impeccably groomed pistes across Austria
and Switzerland. Elevations range from 1,377 meters in the village to a
peak of 2,872 meters at Greitspitz, ensuring snow reliability from late
November to early May—often extending to glacier skiing. The area
features 45 state-of-the-art lifts, including high-speed gondolas and
heated chairlifts, capable of transporting 93,000 people per hour. It's
divided into sectors like Idalp (a central plateau at 2,320 meters with
beginner zones, snow parks, and panoramic restaurants) and Alp Trida,
offering diverse terrain: 10% beginner, 70% intermediate, and 20% expert
runs, including the infamous "Duty-Free Run" to Samnaun for tax-free
shopping. Freeride enthusiasts flock to off-piste routes like the Piz
Val Gronda, accessible via a funicular, while snowboarders enjoy the
Ischgl Snowpark with rails, jumps, and halfpipes. In 2025, upgrades
include enhanced snowmaking systems using recycled water for
sustainability. The arena hosts events like the Top of the Mountain
concerts, drawing crowds for performers at 2,300 meters.
Cable
Cars and Lifts
Ischgl's aerial transport system is a sight in itself,
providing breathtaking ascents and access to the high Alps. The
Silvretta Cable Car, a double-decker gondola, whisks visitors from the
village center to Idalp in just 8 minutes, covering 1,000 meters of
elevation with views of the Fimba Valley and surrounding glaciers. The
Pardatschgratbahn, one of Europe's steepest gondolas, climbs 1,251
meters in 9 minutes to Pardatschgrat at 2,624 meters, offering
360-degree panoramas. The Fimbabahn (A3) serves as a key link for
families and beginners, leading to gentle slopes. In summer, these lifts
operate for hikers and bikers, with e-bike charging stations at mountain
stations. The Piz Val Gronda Funicular, a subterranean ride, unlocks
exclusive freeride terrain. These engineering marvels, many with Wi-Fi
and heated seats, symbolize Ischgl's commitment to luxury and
efficiency, handling peak crowds seamlessly.
Ischgl Skyfly
For
thrill-seekers, the Ischgl Skyfly is a standout attraction—a 2-kilometer
(1.24-mile) zipline descending from Silvrettabahn mid-station at 1,683
meters to the village, reaching speeds of 84 km/h (52 mph). Opened in
2016, it features three parallel lines for group flights, with a
50-meter free-fall start and scenic drops over the Trisanna River and
forests. Riders experience G-forces similar to a rollercoaster while
soaring above rooftops and slopes. Open year-round (weather permitting),
it's accessible via a short hike or lift, with safety harnesses and
guides ensuring a secure adventure. In winter, it adds an exhilarating
end to a ski day; in summer, it complements hiking tours.
Hiking
and Biking Trails
Ischgl transforms into a hiker's paradise in
summer, with over 300 kilometers (186 miles) of marked trails ranging
from easy valley strolls to challenging high-alpine routes. The
Smugglers' Tour, a cross-border hike to Samnaun, follows historic paths
used by 19th-century smugglers, offering duty-free perks and views of
the Silvretta Reservoir. The Culinary Jakobsweg combines gastronomy with
pilgrimage, featuring gourmet stops at mountain huts. Winter hiking
includes 79 kilometers of cleared paths, like the route to Mathon
Wildlife Park, where visitors spot deer and ibex in natural enclosures.
For cyclists, the Silvretta Bike Arena provides 1,000 kilometers of
trails, including e-bike routes to alpine lakes and the Heidelberger Hut
(2,264 meters), a historic refuge with panoramic terraces. Guided tours
highlight flora, fauna, and geology, with apps for navigation.
St. Nikolaus Church
At the heart of Ischgl's historic core stands the
Parish Church of St. Nikolaus, a Baroque gem dating to 1757, built on
the site of a 15th-century chapel. Its onion-domed tower rises
prominently above the village, adorned with frescoes depicting biblical
scenes and local saints. The interior features ornate altars, stucco
work, and a revered statue of St. Nicholas, patron of travelers—fitting
for a border town. Surrounded by colorful Tyrolean houses, it's a serene
contrast to the lively slopes, hosting Christmas markets and concerts.
Nearby, the Mathias Schmid Museum honors the 19th-century painter with
exhibits of alpine landscapes and peasant life portraits.
Natural
Landmarks and Nearby Attractions
The Paznaun Valley abounds in
natural sights, such as the Visnitz Waterfall, a cascading 100-meter
drop accessible via a short hike, frozen into ice sculptures in winter
for climbing. The Kitzloch Suspension Bridge, a 100-meter pedestrian
span over a gorge, offers vertigo-inducing views of the Trisanna River.
Mathon Wildlife Park, 3 kilometers west, spans 10 hectares with
enclosures for red deer, chamois, and birds of prey, plus educational
trails on alpine ecology. For cultural depth, the Alpinarium Galtür (10
km away) is an interactive museum on avalanches, built into a protective
wall commemorating the 1999 disaster, with exhibits on mountain rescue
and climate change. Day trips to Landeck Castle (30 km) reveal medieval
history with knight exhibits and valley vistas.
Off-Piste and
Alternative Activities
Beyond skiing, Ischgl offers ice skating on
illuminated rinks, cross-country skiing on 48 kilometers of tracks in
the Trisanna Valley, and snowshoeing tours to remote huts like
Jamtalhütte. The Erlebnispark Vider Truja delights families with tubing,
playgrounds, and mini-golf amid the snow. In summer, paragliding tandem
flights provide bird's-eye views of the Silvretta Group peaks. Wellness
seekers enjoy spas like the Silvretta Therme, opened in 2022, with
saunas, pools, and mountain-view treatments. The town's après-ski bars,
like the Kuhstall and Pacha, pulse with energy, while fine dining at
Michelin-starred spots showcases regional cuisine like venison and
käsespätzle.
Ischgl's sights encapsulate the essence of Tyrolean
adventure, where world-class infrastructure meets pristine nature,
offering unforgettable experiences for all seasons. Whether carving
fresh powder or wandering wildflower meadows, the town delivers a
perfect blend of excitement and alpine tranquility.
By plane
The closest international airports
are Innsbruck Airport (distance approx. 100 km, a good hour's drive)
and north of Munich Munich Airport (also "Franz Josef Strauss",
distance approx. 232 km).
By train
There is no railway
line in Paznaun.
The next train station in the Upper Inn
Valley is Landeck-Zams train station, 30 km away, further by bus or
taxi.
The 4240 bus to Paznaun starts at the station
forecourt.
By street
By car via Bundesstraße 188: from the
east / Inntal motorway A12 (Landeck), from the west via Bludenz and
Galtür;
Ischgl is a border town of the Alemannic dialect area in the
Tyrol and Vorarlberg area, on the one hand between Höchst Alemannic
and Bavarian, on the other hand between Höchst Alemannic and
Vallader.
From the settlement to the 19th century
The
former mountain farming village (Yscla, Rhaeto-Romanic for "island")
was settled by Rhaeto-Romans from the Engadine around 1000 years ago
and by the Walsers in the 13th century. There was no navigable
connection to the Tyrolean Oberinntal, so that Ischgl was more
economically connected to the Engadin and Vorarlberg and also traded
with the Vinschgau, Swabia and Bavaria. In addition, there was a
privilege granted by Archduke Siegmund in 1460, which allowed Ischgl
to export duty-free cattle to certain areas and import duty-free
grain. From 1505, the right to collect a road fee was added, with
the condition that the roads from the Engadin via the Zeinisjoch
into the Montafon had to be maintained.
As early as the 17th
century, trade was decreasing because the Engadin broke away from
Tyrol and the relationship became looser. After the Jamtaler Ferner
had grown so much in the middle of the 18th century that the path
could no longer even be crossed with pack horses, trade came to a
standstill. Since the town was sacked by the Engadin in 1622, all
taxes were waived for five years.
Tax registers have been
handed down for the years 1697 (Tyrolean Provincial Archives Cat.
45/1) and 1775. In 1849 Ischgl and Galtür were finally merged with
the Landeck court.
The Ischgl music band was founded in 1852
and was only able to use a rehearsal room in the elementary school
from 1904.
In the nineteenth century there was a strong
emigration with families as far as America. Due to the decline in
trade, the population in the barren valley could no longer be fed.
Many residents left the region and children were sent abroad to work
(see Schwabenkinder).
At the end of the 19th century, tourism
opened up a new source of income. In the 1880s, sections of the
Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) and the German Alpine Club (DAV) built
several shelters (see also list of ÖAV huts and list of DAV huts).
First half of the 20th century
During the First World War, 23
people from Ischgl fell and 3 were missing; in the Second World War
there were 30 dead and 7 missing. Zm 24./25. In July 1938, numerous
hero commemorations took place in Tyrol, and a report was also
available from Ischgl. From 1943 to 1945 Ischgl and Galtür were
among the destinations of the Kinderlandverschickung, specifically
from Essen-Steele. Apparently, the region was largely spared from
acts of war until 1945. At the end of the Second World War, on May
6, 1945 in Paznaun, American troops met French units near Ischgl who
had come from the Montafon via the Zeinisjoch. At the beginning of
July 1945 the Americans handed the area over to the French troops,
who exercised control here until the Austrian State Treaty in 1955.
Increasing change to a tourist destination
The former image
of a mountain farming village has been completely lost in recent
decades in favor of a hotel complex. With its numerous après-ski
events, Ischgl is now an example of mass and event tourism and is
therefore also known as the “Ibiza of the Alps”.
The
beginnings of the ski school and tourist association go back to
1929. Erwin Aloys (1910–2002) was one of the first ski instructors
in Ischgl and the innkeeper at the Heidelberger Hütte. He built the
Hotel Madlein and was mayor of Ischgl for many years. Elementary
school director Josef Parth (1921–2011) had good relationships with
German tour operators and thus brought many guests to the still
unknown Ischgl in his early years. His contacts with state
politicians were of great importance in the construction of the
cable car. Xaver Zangerl (1927–1997) was the head of the Ischgl ski
school for many years.
Rudolf Wolf and Franz Kurz were one of
the decisive factors behind the departure in the 1960s. The hotelier
Günther Aloys, son of Erwin Aloys, played a role in Ischgl's
international breakthrough as a holiday destination with the
establishment of the first design hotel in Ischgl. Alfons Parth (*
1957) has been the chairman of the tourism association since 1989.
During this time he had a decisive influence on the development of
Ischgl, and during his chairmanship Ischgl has become an
internationally known holiday destination. His successor has been
the hotelier Alexander von der Thannen (* 1971) since December 2019.