Travel Report Ischgl - Closing Weekend 2010
Like every year, the Myslopes.com team travelled to Ischgl in Austria for the season closing weekend. During the last weekend, the slopes of the Silvretta Arena ski area give home to the Top Of The Mountain concert. This concert, held each year at the start and ending of the season, attracts the greatest international stars. Besides this concert on the mountain, the last days of the season in Ischgl are one big party.
This year we went to Ischgl on Wednesday, before the largest group of people arrived in the village. The concert, which is traditionally held on Saturday May 1, draws the majority of visitors here for a long weekend from Thursday (evening). Following in the shoes of Tina Turner, Elton John, Lionel Richie and Kyley Mynogue, this year the American world star Alicia Keys came to the mountains in Ischgl.
Ski conditions
Before the performance of Alicia Keys on Saturday, we had Thursday and Friday to enjoy the last ski runs of the season. Due to the high altitude of the ski resort of Ischgl, the conditions are often perfect during this closure weekend. When we arrived there ware no less than 80 centimeters of snow and the last snowfall was just a week ago (April 18). Even the downhill slope into the village was still open. (For the latest snow and weather conditions check: http://www.myslopes.com/austria/snow-report-ischgl.php)
IschglEarly birds can enjoy the 210 kilometers of empty, well groomed slopes in the morning. During the afternoon and during the following days, the snow became a little slushy, but the first two full days of skiing were perfect.
Especially the slopes around the top of the Gampenbahn Palinkopf peak are really quiet and nice to descend in the mornings. Lunch or coffee on the lower mountain slopes surrounding the Paznauner Thaya is highly recommended! At the Paznauner Thaya restaurant, the après-ski also starts early, around 2/ 3 PM it is very crowded!
Lunch & shopping in Samnaun
Also part of the Silvretta Arena is the Swiss village Samnaun. You can get there taking one of two different runs. In the old days, Samnaun was a very remote location and therefore it has always been a tax-free town. Today, many skiers come here to buy duty-free watches, fragrances, beverages and tobacco. The slope number 80 slope takes you downhill from the top of the Palinkopf in Ischgl to Samnaun village. Make sure you keep your speed at the end of this downhill path. Once in Samnaun village you can have a delicious lunch at the Smuggler-Alm, a restaurant with a large sun terrace which can be recognized by the large red parasols with white dots.
Besides slope number 80, you can also get to Samnaun by the descent number 60, which starts at the plateau Alp Trida. Taking this route, you will get to Samnaun Laret on the other part of the village. At the end of this slope there is a nice restaurant called the Almrausch, where you can have lunch sitting in the sun.
Top of the Mountain Concert
Saturday was the concert by Alicia Keys. A huge crowd gathered around the Ideralp, where two of the gondolas from the village of Ischgl come up. The Alicia Keys concert started off a bit slow because the U.S. star sang a few slower songs, but by the end of the concert, when she performed some of her more recent hits, the concert was a success. We do still hope for a more ‘energizing’ performer for 2011!
Apres-ski in Ischgl
Around the end of the season, and mostly during this final weekend, the village of Ischgl turns into a big outdoor party. This year we were again lucky with great weather, so many events were happening outside in the sun. With a DJ on the large outdoor plaza in front of the famous après-ski bar Kuhstal, a huge celebration around the Trofana Alm, and of course the great Nicki Stadl, who traditionally performed from a large crane up in the air. In all, apres-ski in Ischgl is really fantastic! For those who want to continue partying until the early hours of the morning, there are several clubs in Ischgl including the Pacha which is close to the luxury hotel Madlein.
In short, the closing weekend in Ischgl is really great for enthusiasts and apres-ski lovers! Empty, long slopes, sunny terraces and a big party! We are already looking forward to the opening in the first weekend of December!
Travel Report Ischgl 2010
