Mountain Layout — Skiing

Here is a larger, more detailed map of Galtür.

Here is the interactive Galtür trail map.

Here is a larger, more detailed map of Kappl.

Ischgl’s slopes are the most extensive in the valley, with neighboring See, Kappl and Galtür servicing smaller areas. Across the mountains to the south, in Switzerland, Samnaun is connected by lifts.

From Ischgl three gondola lifts rise to the main skiing area 3,280 feet above the town. The Silvrettabahn and the Fimbabahn take skiers from opposite ends of town to the Idalp area (7,582 feet). The Pardatschgratbahn goes from the eastern section of town to Pardatschgrat at 8,609 feet. A new double-decker cable car Alp Trida and a new eight-seat chair lift now brings skiers from Samnaun back to Ischgl, meaning no more bottlenecks on the Swiss side of the border. A new trail now winds between the Pardatschgrat to the middle station of the Silvretta lift.

From the Idalp sector, lifts fan out to all corners of the resort. Skiers choosing to go directly to the higher Pardatschgrat still have to pass through the Idalp area. The immediate Idalp area is a small valley in the midst of the peaks with runs and lifts radiating on all sides from its floor. It serves as the learning area, offering long, very easy swaths with excellent lift support.

From Idalp, take the chairlift up to Idjoch. The Idjochbahn was the first bubble-covered eight-person lift in the world. Here, drop down into the Swiss Alp Trida section for long intermediate runs. Or continue up to the Greitspitz for more challenging skiing in the Austrian section beneath the Palinkopf into the Hölltal or over another ridge to the Paznauner Taja. The slopes are so extensive, it’s an adventure just finding your way around—each lift summit reveals another valley (and unbelievable vistas) and another set of runs to explore. The trail from Greitspitz into the Höllenkar, has opened a previously virgin face of the mountain.

At the end of the day, take one of the runs from the Idalp or down the Velilltal for beautiful, wide-open, intermediate cruising. Or if you want to end the day with a challenge, drop from the Pardatschgrat. If you are staying near the Silvrettabahn, you will want to head left toward the middle station, then follow the No. 1 trail into town. For those closer to the Fimba or Pardatschgratbahn stations, keep going straight down into town. Where the trail forks, ski to the right.

Determined off-trail skiers can arrange for a snowcat to take them to the Piz Val Gronda or the Heidelberger-hütte with a guide for a day of skiing across untracked snow. This area is scheduled for lift development, but it still seems to be a few years away. The Swiss must first construct an additional lift from Samnaun before the Austrian lift-builders can raise a wrench.

Over the border to Samnaun, Switzerland
Swiss Samnaun is the target of many Ischgl skiers because they are either determined to experience skiing over the border to a Swiss town, or they are hot on the trail of duty-free cigarettes, perfume or whisky. In any case, the run from the back side of the Palinkopf is relatively tame and the town itself hardly more interesting than the nearest airport duty-free store.

Duty-free here is big business. If one smokes or wants to fill up the hot toddy cabinet, Samnaun is wonderful, but once is more than enough for the run from Palinkopf. A new cable car takes skiers from the center of Samnaun-Dorf back to the slopes above Ischgl. There is normally about a half-hour wait for the tiny, slower Ravaisch cable car that used to be the only way to return.

There is another trail from Alp Trida down to Compatsch. This trail is rather difficult and often closed because of avalanches (too much snow) or rocks (too little). If you do get down, a postbus will carry you back up to the Ravaisch cable car.

Galtür
A three-minute shuttlebus ride takes you from the village to Wirl, a collection of on-piste hotels and the gateway to the slopes. The skiing here is mellow-to-intermediate, better than Ischgl for beginners and families who want to ski together.

A quad-chair carries skiers up from the base at Wirl to Birkhahnkopf. From there, take the Ballunspitz lift to a choice of three easy expert runs or a good intermediate trail. A couple of log-cabin restaurants dot the surrounding slopes. From there you can ski down to the frozen reservoir, the Kopssee, or traverse round the back of the mountain to the Innere Kopsalpe, which offers the toughest runs. On a sunny day, this back bowl offers an advanced intermediate fun for an entire morning or afternoon.

Galtür also has night skiing on Wednesday 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Rates for night skiing are €10.50 for adults, €6.50 for children and €8 for seniors.


Mountain rating
Intermediates and experts will have a wonderful time in Ischgl. The area offers wideranging, well-prepared trails and 50 miles of off-trail challenges. Experts looking for super-steep terrain will be disappointed.

The resort is perfect for a mixed intermediate and expert group, but is not recommended for absolute beginners. English at the ski school is limited to technical ski jargon, and the nursery slopes are far above the town. Galtür, with its wide-open slopes and relaxed atmosphere, is better for younger skiers, beginners to intermediate.