Ischgl


Ischgl is a town in the Paznaun valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Its ski resort Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun is connected with the ski resort of Samnaun across the border in Switzerland to form one of the largest skiing resorts in the Alps. Ischgl was a major hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

Ski resort

Ischgl is located on the Austrian side of one of the world's largest ski areas. Its of groomed pistes are served by over 45 mechanical lifts including cable cars, gondolas, detachable chair lifts and some T-bars. Three ropeways give access to the ski area from the village: the Pardatschgratbahn, the Fimbabahn & the Silvrettabahn. Only the Fimbabahn and the Silvrettabahn have middle stations. Many of the lifts converge at Idalp, where there is a restaurant. The area above Idalp offers wide, easy pistes and a snow park. Other parts of the Ischgl area, towards Höllboden and Paznauner Thaya, offer many red runs and some more challenging blacks. The steepest run in the resort is a black run with a gradient of 70%, located in the Höllboden bowl, and accessed by the "Lange Wand" chair lift. Paznauner Thaya offers many red runs suitable for intermediate-level skiers.
Ischgl is known for lively après-ski parties and nightlife. The resort hosts pop concerts celebrating the end of the annual ski season at the Idalp. Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Elton John, Mariah Carey, The Corrs, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Rod Stewart, Jon Bon Jovi, Nena, Sugababes, Enrique Iglesias, Pink, Anastacia, Beyoncé, Melanie C, Rihanna, Gabriella Cilmi, Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry and Alicia Keys have performed at these concerts. In April 2002 Bill Clinton gave a speech at Ischgl.

COVID-19 pandemic hotspot

Ischgl was identified as a major hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Six hundred infections in Austria and up to 1,200 infections in Germany and the Nordic countries were traced back to the ski resort starting from Iceland on 1 March with transmissions occurring from late February on. A significant portion of the cases were further traced to Kitzloch après-ski bar at the resort, where sharing of whistles were likely conduits of contagion. Even as health authorities in other countries began raising warnings against travel to Ischgl, the resort remained open with Tyrolean authorities playing down the risks. The bar was eventually closed on 10 March and the whole town quarantined from 13 March until 22 April.

Gallery