Ischgl

High in the Paznaun valley, Ischgl was once a farming village but is now the playground to the rich and the famous. Snowfinders have heard it referred to as the "Austrian Courchevel", however, we feel this is doing the resort a disservice. The village retains a feel of Austrian charm and is very different to the purpose built French carbuncles that arose in the 1960s. Hotels are family owned and most have very high levels of quality, facilities, and customer focus. The main resort centre is peppered with a vast array of shops, boutiques, clubs, pubs, bars, and upmarket accommodation. The Silvretta ski area lift pass gives access to Ischgl and Galtur (free ski bus – 10 minutes between Ischgl and Galtur) and Kappl and See plus the Swiss resort of Samnaun. That's a whopping 330km of piste, which makes this region one of the biggest in the Alps. 

Beginners will just adore the Idalp with its novice area and plenty of blue runs to progress to – unlike many resorts where first timers are stuck in the village here in Ischgl they get a feel for being right up in the mountains.

Intermediates are just spoilt for choice in Ischgl with a huge amount of reds, blacks and off-piste to keep them occupied. One of Snowfinders' Nick's favourite runs is a top to bottom red starting at the top of the Grivalea and M1 lift taking red 76 and flowing straight into red 61 into Compatsch in the Samnaun valley in Switzerland. The off-piste off this M1 lift is also easily accessible and and whilst there is nothing too steep the snow holds well here and doesn't get tracked out too quickly.

For experts, whilst there isn't the array on offer that St Anton has, there are blacks off the Palinkof and Greitspitze which are great fun and some have a steep pitch that is worthy of black status in any of Europe's top ski destinations. For those of an adventurous nature Snowfinders recommends taking a guide to exploit the amazing off-piste that is available and getting away from the crowds.

To sum up Ischgl, it's a truly great resort that can be skied for a full season without ever getting bored.