ISCHGL IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE RESORTS IN AUSTRIA, LOCATED IN THE WEST OF THE COUNTRY, CLOSE TO THE ARLBERG REGION, AND WITH A GREAT REPUTATION FOR ITS APRES-SKI SCENE

The first ski lift was built in Ischgl as recently as 1963, which makes it a very modern purpose-built ski resort by Austrian standards. Many natives would rate it as the second-best ski station in the country behind St Anton, with a long season and a reliable natural snow record. However Ischgl remains rather under-appreciated by British skiers, principally because it is so popular with German and, to a lesser extent, Scandinavian visitors, that British tour operators really struggle to get a decent allocation of beds in the many comfortable hotels here. However there are now signs that the British companies are managing to get more beds.

Ischgl is the main resort in the Silvretta ski area on the Austrian-Swiss border. It links with the duty-free resort of Samnaun, a popular day-trip destination where skiers stock up on drink, tobacco and luxury goods at very attractive prices – typically about 15% less than they would be in Austria.

The village itself is long and narrow and comprises a mixture of original and pseudo-Tyrolean buildings. The main street is effectively traffic-free and also virtually sun-free for much of the winter, making it rather icy on occasion, although there is now an underground walkway from the centre of town to the Fimba gondola. There is absolutely no shortage of bars, restaurants and shops lining the pavements. This is essentially a fairly up-market resort, although sometimes the late-night après-ski behaviour can make it seem otherwise.

Ischgl has a long season and usually closes around the beginning of May. The beginning and end of the season are normally marked by a huge free outdoor rock concert by an international superstar. Past artists have included, Elton John, Lionel Richie, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart and Sting.