Anyone...ISCHGL???

#1

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8/3/09 at 7:40am

redhead09
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Hi all...

Another newbie here....well, I used the site 2 years ago, for our ventures to Park City.

It seems to be that time again...so, here it goes :

Planning a trip to Austria this year. We have decided on ISCHGL. Has anyone been?
We chose Ischgl over Kitzbuel for a few reasons : elevation, size, and that we are traveling with our 5 year old and it's a tad bit closer to my husbands family.

So, with all that being said - does anyone have any first had accounts of snow conditions in late January/early February. We think we are staying at Hotel Tirol or Hotel Arnika, but still can not decide. Also, if you have any recommendations for ski rentals.
\
Thanks - I know my questions are braod, but just looking for some basics. Thanks in advance!

#2

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8/3/09 at 7:53am

Wear The Fox Hat
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Hi Redhead,
I've not been to Ischgl, but I spent last Christmas in St Anton (not too far away) and absolutely loved it. Snow conditions were good and it wasn't busy.
If your choice is late Jan or early Feb, I'd say Jan, as there will be fewer people around.

Hopefully you'll get some answers from people who have been to Ischgl!

If God hadn't meant us to ski, why did He give us mountains, snow and gravity?

#3

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8/3/09 at 8:19am

ami in berlin
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I haven't been to Ischgl either, but we looked pretty closely at going there this coming Christmas/New Years. We were going to stay down the valley in Galtür, though, in order to save money, be somewhere quieter, and be closer to the cross country trails.

It has a reputation for being quite snow secure, so I wouldn't worry about late jan/ealy feb. It also has a reputation for being pretty wild, so it might not be a bad idea to look into how quiet those hotels are given that you'll have a 5 year old in tow. Probably not an issue, but you won't want to be next door to a disco that goes until 5:00 am.

Obviously no advice on rentals. I've found the Intersport chain shops can be hit or miss with regards to how helpful their employees are. I'd probably look for somewhere else even though they normally have the best locations.

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

#4

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8/3/09 at 12:10pm

QmQ
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Results off the past don't provide garanties in the future, however, Ischgl is pretty snowsecure.
It's a very busy place though. It's THE apresski village of Europe.
So a lot of noisy and drunk people and a lot of loud music even on the slopes. On the other hand, this keeps the slopes suprisingly quiet in the morning.

Ischgl shares it's skiarea with the Swiss village of Samnaun, a tax free shopping paradise, but a lot more admosphere and on the more quiet end of the skiarea.
However, I think with a 5 year old, there are better places to go to, unless you plan on some serieus aprésskiing!

#5

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8/3/09 at 12:49pm

redhead09
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Thanks all for the reply....I agree about other locations, however my husband is from Austria and wanted to ski somewhere he has been. So, Ischgl it is. Which is fine with me, I haven't skied in Austria - just No. Italy. Unfortunately, with the 5 yr old, I think Apres ski will be limited - perhaps one or two very early!

Thanks for information

#6

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8/7/09 at 1:25am

Nobody
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Right, as said in another thread, Galtuer is much quieter than Ischgl, I passed it on my way to Galtuer and wente there a couple of times, the place reminded me of an open air disco, with music blasted throughout the whole village...
It is IIRC linked to Swiss Samnaun, the area isn't bad for those who want to ski and party...
I prefer Galtuer and its "hidden spots" but I never was a disco guy anyway...

Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem

#7

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8/7/09 at 1:49am

ami in berlin
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Good to know. I'll keep Galtür on my radar for the winter after next, then. Lodging seems to cost about half as much as in Ischgl itself, and while I'm no monk, a weekend in Obertauern this past winter has turned me off the typical Austrian/German Schlager apres scene a bit.

Just based on the ski map, Galtür looked pretty decent for a couple days, too. And of course Ischgl appears to be huge. The main cross country trails are up in Galtür as well, which while probably not important to most is actually a major factor for us.

From what I've heard, the link to Swiss Samnaun is used by many to access duty free shops, which has an obvious effect on the scene in town.

How are the bus connections from Galtür to Ischgl?

#8

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8/7/09 at 12:50pm

Nobody
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I'm not sure because we used our car...but me seems to remember that theres' a regular service linking the two villages...

Of course if there's not too much snow, then probably oyu could reach Ischgl using the cross country skis (IIRC there could be a trail between the two).

Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem

#9

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8/14/09 at 5:53am

ami in berlin
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Nobody

I'm not sure because we used our car...but me seems to remember that theres' a regular service linking the two villages...

Of course if there's not too much snow, then probably oyu could reach Ischgl using the cross country skis (IIRC there could be a trail between the two).

Interesting. Now if I put my downhill skis and boots on my pack, can I still manage to cross country ski from Galtür to Ischgl? It would not do much for my form, but the looks I'd get might just make it worth it. Then stash my nordic gear at the base station (it's not like anyone steals nordic skis, right?) before skiing back home at the end of the day. If I take a headlamp, I could have a few apres beers. Sweet! Cross country skiing in the dark with alpine skis and boost strapped to my back!

Actually, it is handy to know that Galtür and Ischgl are connected by trail, because that makes it easier for the girlfriend (nordic skier only) to meet up with me (primarily alpine) during or at the end of the day.

We're constantly looking for resorts that are good for the both of us, and this looks like it might be one.

#10

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8/14/09 at 12:45pm

Nobody
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Quote:

Originally Posted by ami in berlin

Interesting. Now if I put my downhill skis and boots on my pack, can I still manage to cross country ski from Galtür to Ischgl? It would not do much for my form, but the looks I'd get might just make it worth it. Then stash my nordic gear at the base station (it's not like anyone steals nordic skis, right?) before skiing back home at the end of the day. If I take a headlamp, I could have a few apres beers. Sweet! Cross country skiing in the dark with alpine skis and boost strapped to my back!

Actually, it is handy to know that Galtür and Ischgl are connected by trail, because that makes it easier for the girlfriend (nordic skier only) to meet up with me (primarily alpine) during or at the end of the day.

We're constantly looking for resorts that are good for the both of us, and this looks like it might be one.

Ami, I'm not at home right now, but when I'll be there I'll try to dig up the stuff I have from the area and either confirm or deny...
Cheers.

Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem

#11

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8/14/09 at 12:58pm

RISkier
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You might want to check out www.snowheads.com. It's kind of a European version of Epicski. The little I've been on it I've found the folks there friendly and helpful. There's no doubt lots of stuff already posted regarding Ischgl.

#12

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8/20/09 at 10:02am

PowHog
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Have skied the Paznaun valley resorts multiple times. In a normal year snow coverage is plentiful, especially mid winter. That one is likely to pan out for you.

Ischgl is pricey in general, in some respect even posh, no matter what you look at. The average skiing is moderately tame but vast so good for a nice family experience. Pretty good apres ski and nightlife. Plenty of shops to rent from, the Intersport is the biggest one. Food on the mountain is honestly better on the Swiss side.
Pretty much lift access within walkable distance everywhere so it doesn't really matter where you stay. The final stretch of the run back to the resort can be packed and icy at times so you might consider the gondola down with the kid then.
Since late January is not really crowded you might get cheaper accommodation in Mathon further up the valley or closer to Kappl and shuttle by car or bus.

Good luck and have fun.

#13

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8/21/09 at 10:17am

Dartmoorskier
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I've been to Ischgl - March 09. Great skiing, but don't be tempted to take your tot down the home run at the end of the day. It can be extremely busy. It's actually a really nice run to do first thing in the morning.

#14

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8/26/09 at 1:19am

Nobody
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Ami, okay, I checked my copy of ADAC SkiGuide, Alpen 2000 and on page 95 (Ischgl) under "Langlauf Testnote" it says :
"Loiperverbund Ischgl-Galtuer/Paznaun"...
On the 2006 release (the latest I have) it says nothing about it, but the depicted map shows a dotted line with a cross country skier figure departing from Ischgl in direction Galtuer, but there's no trace of it in the Galtuer entry of the same book...

Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem

#15

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8/26/09 at 3:21am

ami in berlin
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Thanks for that.

I’ve looked at the Galtür and Ischgl websites, and they certainly imply that there is a cross country trail connecting the two.

The question as always, though, is if in practice that is the case. In my experience, a lot of resorts only actually bother to prepare a fraction of their advertised Nordic terrain even if there is enough snow to groom the entire network. It would not surprise me if they only prepared the trail in Galtür and ignored the theoretical connection to Ischgl. That of course is difficult to know without first-hand experience.

Even if that’s the case, I think Galtür is still an attractive option for next year.

#16

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8/26/09 at 3:40am

ami in berlin
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Hey, what do you know!
http://www.galtuer.com/en-winter-holidays-tyrol-cross-country-skiing.htm
Length: 6 km
Level of difficulty: moderately difficult
Ski trail from Wirl via Galtür to Ischgl
The starting place for this valley trail, which is known as the East trail, is in Ischgl on the western edge of the village near the village car park. The trail initially follows quite flat ground along the Trisanna River down to the hamlet of Paznaun. The track then rises slightly before crossing the road after a gravel plant. A narrow ski trail runs right next to the brook below the Näderwald into the valley and the hamlet of Nederle signals the entrance to the community of Mathon. After crossing the Bergler brook you will see the hamlet of Valzur high above the track on the right hand side. Now the trail enters its most attractive stretch. Crossing through a sub-alpine high forest you will come to the narrow Tschafein gorge, which was carved out of the rock by the Trisanna. The trail follows a forest path for about 3 kilometres, which leads directly through the gorge. Before reaching the hamlet of Tschafein you will leave the narrow gorge and arrive at the broad stepped valley around Galtür, which is surrounded by the towering mountains of the Silvretta range. After Tschafein the route changes to the left side of the valley and leads towards Galtür with a constant view of the mountain village on the way. The central cross-country skiing area of Galtür can be found north of the village near to the tennis centre. Here the valley trail continues as the western trail, which after around 5 kilometres through treeless alpine terrain, reaches the head of the valley at Wirl.

But then their last trail report from 11 April lists the trail as closed.

#17

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11/5/09 at 2:02am

ntvinh986
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Hi all, I am a new member of forum. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guys!!!

#18

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11/7/09 at 5:49am

Nobody
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Sure you are, mate. Make the proper intro over in the general forum, co everyone will be able to greet you.
Cheers!

Una salus victis, nullam sperare salutem

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