Ischgl

Ischgl (German: [ˈɪʃɡl̩] (listen)) is a town in the Paznaun valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol. Its ski resort is connected with that of Samnaun across the border in Switzerland to form one of the largest in the Alps. Ischgl was a major hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.

Not to be confused with Bad Ischl.
Ischgl
Coat of arms
Ischgl
Location within Austria
Ischgl
Ischgl (Austria)
Coordinates: 47°00′47″N 10°17′17″E
Country Austria
StateTyrol
DistrictLandeck
Government
 • MayorWerner Kurz
Area
 • Total103.34 km2 (39.90 sq mi)
Elevation
1,377 m (4,518 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total1,593
 • Density15/km2 (40/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6561
Area code05444
Vehicle registrationLA
Websitewww.ischgl.tirol.gv.at

Ski resort

Ischgl is located on the Austrian side of one of the world's largest ski areas. Its 238 kilometres (148 mi) 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.[3] 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 (Top of the Mountain Concert) at the Idalp (2,300 metres or 7,500 feet). 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
Further information: COVID-19 pandemic in Austria

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[4] 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.[5] The bar was eventually closed on 10 March and the whole town quarantined from 13 March until 22 April.[6][7][4]

  • Roman Catholic church St. Nikolaus
  • Trisanna river
Panorama of Ischgl Pardorama

References
  1. "Dauersiedlungsraum der Gemeinden Politischen Bezirke und Bundesländer - Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. "Einwohnerzahl 1.1.2018 nach Gemeinden mit Status, Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. Ischgl.com
  4. Bell, Bethany (22 April 2020). "Ischgl resort at heart of Europe's outbreak reopens". BBC. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  5. Grüll, Philipp (20 March 2020). "How an Austrian ski paradise became a COVID-19 hotspot". www.euractiv.com. Euractiv. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020.
  6. Mayr, Walter (17 March 2020). "Austrian Ski Resort Flings Coronavirus Around Europe". Der Spiegel. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  7. Karnitschnig, Matthew (19 March 2020). "The Austrian ski town that spread coronavirus across the Continent". Politico. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
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