Silvretta Arena

Ischgl and Samnaun share a high-alpine network that sits mostly above the treeline and skews toward intermediate-and-above terrain — genuinely alpine rather than village-cruiser skiing, with high-altitude bowls above 2,500m that hold snow well after storms.

For experts, the runs off the Palinkopf and Greitspitze are sustained and steep, and the 14a/14b black runs from the Pardatschgrat are a real test. The classic circuit runs clockwise: up to the Idalp, across the Flimjoch into Switzerland, down into Samnaun for a coffee and some duty-free shopping, then back via the Viderjoch for a different view on the return. Off-piste, the terrain between the Fimbatal and Vesil sectors holds some of the network's best freeride lines, and Piz Val Gronda is a dedicated freeride zone.

Ischgl has the reputation — high-energy après-ski, modern lift infrastructure, and consistently good snow thanks to its altitude. Samnaun, across the border in Switzerland, is the quieter, more family-friendly counterpart, best known beyond skiing for its duty-free shopping.