Ischgl - The Home Of Austria Skiing

Austria's Ischgl is a Tyrolean ski resort. Tyrolean refers to Tyrol, an alpine region divided between two areas. These are the Austrian State of Tyrol to the north and east, and the Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Sudtirol to the south.

The resort is a premier skiing region and the largest connected one in the Tyrol region. The Silvretta Ski Area links Ischgl, Austria with the Swiss duty free zone of Samnaun. This area has 40 lifts, ropeways, and approximately 235 kilometers of groomed ski runs.

The winter season in Ischgl began this last season on November 28. With plenty of challenging runs for skiing, the resort also offers ski school and ski kindergarten. In addition, ski rentals and ski huts are available as well as mountain transport.

Ischgl is able to add to any natural snow they receive. The resort's snowmaking capabilities are due to the 653 Snow Cannons they have that keep the ski runs blanketed nicely should the weather not cooperate.

Most of the ski area is above 2000 meters, which makes for a long ski season. It is significantly higher and larger than some of Austria's other famous ski areas including Kitzbuhel. The resort has state-of-the art ski lifts. This includes a high-capacity gondola running on two cables rather than one. This offers premier stability.

They also have a double-decker cable car for fast access to the ski slopes. The resort altitude is 1380 meters. The resort is especially suited to intermediate skiers. It has 9 Black Runs (45 km), 43 Red Runs (132 km), and 13 Blue Runs (38 km). It has 200 km of downhill pistes, and 50 km of cross-country trails.

Ischgl also offers snowboarding activities. The Snowboard Fun Park has half pipe and quarter pipe courses. For the novice looking to try the sport, snowboard lessons are available, as well as snowboard rentals. The resort hosted the first ISF Snowboard Championships held in 1993, and the Snowboard Masters in 1994.

However, this region doesn't stop there; more outdoor activities await those who traverse to this pristine winter wonderland. One can shoot down a toboggan run, or spin, twirl, and shoot a puck on an ice rink. One can also fire a weighted stone down a sheet of ice at a curling alley. For less strenuous activity, horse-drawn sleigh rides are available.

Those looking to partake of all the region offers will find there's plenty of after ski activities as well. Numerous fine restaurants are in Ischgl, and more than a dozen pubs. The area's a home to cafes, pizzerias, and three discotheque nightclubs, where visitors unwind after a day on the slopes.

Music concerts by top-level popular acts take place during the season on the main ski slopes. To the side of the ski slopes are many venues that offer opportunities for mingling and getting to know other travelers. These are the slope side entertainment-rooms, which are part of hotels and such.

In addition, after ski activities include swimming, bowling, along with film and theatre shows. The area also features quaint boutiques and a snow sculptures competition with international artists. Neighboring St. Anton, close by over the mountains, has their mix of visitors from around the globe. St. Anton has a lively nightlife in the bars and clubs as well.

If you're planning to ski in Austria and Ischgl, you have a variety of accommodations to choose from to match your needs. The resort area offers hotels, inns, holiday apartments, and guesthouses. You can also arrange private lodging outside the town limits at estate company or private owner apartments.

Ischgl is within two hours drive of two airports. Innsbruck Airport is a one-hour drive away. Of course, all of this is providing you have good weather for driving. The term snowbound is part of the vocabulary of the region.

If you're considering a winter sport vacation in Ischgl, Austria, you still have time. The winter season there finishes with the famous Top of the Mountain Concert on May 1, 2010. You still have time to wax those skis and snowboards and get mountain bound Austria-way!

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

About the Author

More information about Austria skiing and also for ski holidays to Andorra is available with yourandorra.com

Also online are realtors and Estate Agents in Andorra

by: Osborne

Total views: 3 Word Count: 691 Date: Sat, 24 Apr 2010 Time: 4:32 PM - 0 comments

Publish/Share this article

To use this article on your site click here to get the HTML code |
Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.

Rating: Not yet rated