Ischgl - worth skiing a day in Galtur, Kappl, or See?

A snowHead

We're going to Ischgl on 29 Jan 2022 for a week. We're advanced-level skiers who like carving reds, steep blacks, off-piste (in the right conditions), hearty lunches, and good scenery.

Should we stick to Ischgl/Samnaun for all 6 days, or do you think we'd appreciate a day's skiing in either Galtür, Kappl, or See? If so, which of the three would you recommend, given our stated preferences?

Many thanks.

A snowHead

I've skied Kappl and Galtur a few times but never quite got round to See.
Both Kappl and Galtur can be pretty enjoyable for a day
Galturs skiing is north and east facing up at the head of the valley and often has the best snow in the valley though it can feel very cold if the weather is cold. The terrain is great though the number of pistes are fairly small.
Kappl also has some good skiing but catched a lot more sun which makes it warmer when the weather is cold but the snow may not be as good.
There can be a lot of day trippers on a Sunday who usually go to Ischgl and can create some pretty busy slopes and a few queues. We often used to ski Galtur on Sundays which is usually much quieter. Kappl still got busier on a Sunday but not as bad as Ischgl.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

You need to Login to know who's really who.

Yep The regular Ischgl/Samnoun area can get a little samey, and sometimes busy.
Absolutely worth skiing Galtur, Kappl, See.
They now form part of my regular activities for any visit to the area.
As T Bar says Galtur is great to ski at the weekend when Ischgl, in particular, is at its busiest. If Pistes are your thing you will be spoilt, and if you like a bit of easy to reach Side/off-piste there are some great little areas that are a lot less tracked than in Ischgl.
See whilst relatively small is really enjoyable, some great pistes, a few straight blacks which often are empty, bit of side piste/ski routes accessible directly from Zenis and Versing. The run down to the village is also a lot more enjoyable, and less crowded than any of the Ischgl routes.
Kappl has some great runs, skiing back in the evening allows you to drop into Schaffstal for a jaeger tee on the way back. Skiing is simply empty
no queues wide pistes and some decent ski routes/side piste. Although stay off of Ski route 15 as it's a nightmare unless there is plenty of fresh snow. Tiroller Hutte is my favorite refuel stop because it simple. If you are confident enough the 'extreme' ski route no.19 is a good ego booster.

All three are easy to reach via the ski bus, which is usually empty.

We will be back in the region from 4th Feb, amd will be skiing all of the areas on the Silvretta ski pass, can't wait, really missed not skiing atall last season.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Thanks Bob for the excellent further information.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Skied two days in Galtur, before venturing to Ischgl the other year. Some nice runs, not extensive but enough to keep us all happy. Hopefully going again in March.

We stayed in Galtur (cheaper than Ischgl) easy commute on the regular bus service.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Thanks Skitech

After all it is free

If you've never been to Ischgl you'll probably be fine sticking to Ischgl/Samnaun - there's more than enough there to keep you busy without feeling like you're looping the same runs. If you've done it a number of times before it can get like that at which point a day trip to try something different makes for a nice break.

If you want to hedge your bets traditionally there's been a special area flexipass option for people staying in Ischgl/Mathon on presentation of your guest card (which your accomodation should give you). That gives you 4 days in Ischgl/Samnaun plus 2 days in any resort in the valley (though only 1 resort/day). Based on the 2018/19 piste map I have handy a standard 6 day pass was €254.50 and the flexipass was €266.50.

As to which of the 3, I've only done Galtur so far and it was a good one-day resort. The other's look to be about the same size so I'd probably pick on the day. If it's a Sat/Sun, or the snow's poor probably Galtur as higher up the valley and fewer day trippers make it that far. If it's mid-week and the snows good probably one of the others.

For the hearty lunches - the rotisserie chicken Alp Bella's a must (M1 lift) and the restaurant just below Idalp's another favourite of mine (Vider Alp I think). I'd skip the main self-service in Idalp for lunch but it does a good pre-ski home germknedle.

Galturs great, The UK ski test was there a few years ago and it was really good, gondola off the backside gives access to some treat terrain and most lifts have a good mix of runs off each one. not huge but def worth a day or two and super quiet.

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

Not skiied in Kappl or See but spent a day in Galtur once whilst on a trip to Ischgl. Unfortunately, it rained most of the day spoiling the day somewhat. However, I was impressed with the quality of the area if not its extent and wouldn't hesitate going back.

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Mrs MA and I skied all three in a recent Tirol road trip.

Pretty much as others have said - all have some fantastic cruising runs and all were very quiet to deserted during our visits. All are worth a visit.

See in particular has some nice steeper stuff, particularly the blast from the top to the middle station. The run to the gondola 'over the back' at See is also excellent. It was particularly deserted, with great snow as it's very shady.

The vertical at Kappl is impressive and the top to bottom runs are excellent.

Galtuer is just very pleasant all round. The black run down to the reservoir is great fun.

snow reports

@Scrunch77, Worth it if you've got a car

Not worth it if you have to slum it on the bus

Thanks everyone. We’re currently in Ischgl. Due to high winds most of the lifts are shut in Ischgl, Galtur and Kappl. It’s dumping down snow though, so hopefully things will open up more in the coming days.

You know it makes sense.

@Scrunch77,
If there's enough snow 3a can be a good run in bad weather as it is below treeline and gets a bit of shelter and usually quiet.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

A snowHead

We spent Wednesday in Kappl and I’m very glad we did. It was the third of three consecutive days of heavy snow and high wind. The vast majority of lifts in Ischgl were shut but after establishing that most of Kappl was open we jumped on a bus and were there in 10 minutes. Had great fun both on and off piste. The tree-lined runs aided visibility. Bus home was punctual. Buses free with lift pass. Bus stops were conveniently located.

A snowHead

Glad you're enjoying it.

What's Ischgl apres ski like in these Codivd times? Are they going French so same as always but be prepared to all sit down if someone shouts "It's the rozzers!", or going Germanic so not just sticking to the letter but the punctuation mark of the law?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

The rules were being followed pretty strictly in Ischgl. Covid pass (and in some cases photo ID too) required to enter all bars and restaurants, table service, and everyone out at 10 pm. Some will feel their fun is being curtailed, but it suited us fine.

Help!!

Ischgl - worth skiing a day in Galtur, Kappl, or See?

snowHeads Forum Index >>> The Piste