 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Snowfall is never very predictable in how quickly it accumulates and wind can have an effect but I have driven the road up to Ischgl several times in ordinary snow without problem.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Yes I've driven up from INN a few times in snowy conditions on winters and it's been fine - it's not a road with very steep gradients or precipitous hairpin bends.
But as T-bar says, these things are hard to predict and you'd be wise to have chains and know how to use them, especially if you're driving at night
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Your main issue is not the Paznauntal (Ischgl-valley), but the road through Vorarlberg up to the Arlberg Tunnel.
One of the snowiest corners of The Alps. Might definitely get spooky! The S16 can be very unpleasant in heavy snow. And definitely with this forecast, snow is coming from west.
@red 27 The road from Innsbruck is a completely different story, Arlberg is the big snow-stopper
Some images from the S16 in January 2021, with daylight (...): https://vorarlberg.orf.at/stories/3084867/
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Fri 6-01-23 18:34; edited 2 times in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Provided your satnav takes you via the S16 and up the valley, through See and Kappl you will probably be fine though might want to grab some snow chains too (I've had a transfer bus have to chain-up leaving Ischgl in the past - but just once).
If your satnav decides it's quicker to come off where the A14 becomes the S16 and over the top, so you come down past Galtur to Ischgl though... 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thank you very much for the immediate replies. You helped a ton!
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@Langerzug, Oh yes my bad I had missed that the OP is coming from ZCH. I've never driven that route
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@polpolpol, Dont take any notice of the scare stories here the chances of needing chains is tiny. Most of the way is on motorway or similar roads which will be cleared if there is any significant snow. The road up the Paznauntal is pretty flat though there are some tunnels and bends on the initial stretch. The road does sometimes get closed due to avalanche risk but the amount of snow forecast for this weekend does not suggest that is likely. The Swiss and the Austrians are very efficient at keeping the roads open so it is very unlikely you will face issues. The only thing I would say is dont be tempted to save money by using the Arlberg pass rather than the tunnel, though the pass rarely gets closed it can get pretty snowy and chains are occasionally required for the stretch above Stuben
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The Swiss and the Austrians are very efficient at keeping the roads open
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Unlike the stupid Italians and French. 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Was in Ischgl a few years ago when it was temporarily cut off, but that was a shed load of snow. There’s not a huge amount forecast - pretty sure the road will be open and pretty sure winter tyres will be fine (compulsory of course in Austria in January). I’ve driven out of Ischgl in the snow with snow on the road, no problem.
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Pretty much what @munich_irish says. It doesn’t look that snowy on Sunday. With winter tires you should be fine on that road (none of it is that steep) especially if you take the tunnel.
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You know it makes sense.
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The topography in Austria is different, in general (there are exceptions) the gradient is more gentle as opposed to the steep climbs with tight bends you find more often in France and Italy. In general. Certainly nothing like the giggles you can have in New Zealand.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@munich_irish, It looks indeed fine for Sunday. But apart from that I'm very much wondering why you are denying the facts shown in the ORF-article in my link. Do you ever drive the Vorarlberg-side of the S16? (and I don't mean the Arlbergpass, but the main road through the Klostertal from Bludenz up, also figuring in that ORF article)
Vorarlberg might get 30-50 cm on Monday. Recipe for a similar carnage as shown in that link.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sat 7-01-23 14:29; edited 3 times in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Langerzug, good thing the OP is not driving on Monday.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I plan to drive Sunday night - leave Zurich airport around 22:30 so arrive well after midnight. I see Heave snow on Snowforecast.
After reading the last few posts I think i ll be fine (and if not I ll stop in a village on the side?). Does the fact that i ll be driving after midnight change anything?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Note. I will be taking the tunnel/safest/fastest road if I don't get lost
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@polpolpol, Good Luck!
Make sure to come back on here and let us know you arrived safely 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@polpolpol, Heavier snow is only forecast for the later hours of Monday-morning. You should be fine I think.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Langerzug, I have indeed driven from St Anton to Zürich on a number of occasions and am familiar with the road leading to the Klostertal and the fact that the Arlberg and surrounding area is just about the snowiest in the alps. In the 20 odd years I have been living in Munich I have travelled all over the eastern alps by car & train in all sorts of weathers from blizzards to heat waves, I have never owned nor needed to use snow chains. I know there can be very occasional extreme snow events (there was one a good few years ago when there was a "stau storm" which dropped over a metre of snow on the autobahn between Rosenheim & Salzburg stranding dozens of motorists) but they are rare and not something that need concern visitors, almost all of the time all main roads are perfectly drivable for cars equipped with winter tyres. I have had to turn back on the Fern Pass after coaches got stuck at the top stopping the snow ploughs clearing the road again that is very unusual. The most dangerous and difficult conditions are not in the winter but in summer. A sudden thunderstorm (which are very common) can instantly reduce visibility to practically zero and flood the road surface in minutes. There really is no need for visitors to be nervous about driving from an airport to their resort.
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Ended up not making the trip as i couldn't find my credit card to rent a car. Will probably do it next week.
So i can't really say how the road was in the end
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i couldn't find my credit card to rent a car
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FAQ
). Winter tyres - and chains - are no help if the whole road is blocked. And if traffic is moving, don't overtake snowploughs. 
