This is your opportunity to enjoy one of Austria’s best ski areas and Austria’s undoubted major après-ski location (locally known as the ‘Ibiza of the Alps’) and a Mariah Carey concert on the slopes.

The Silvretta Arena is a huge interconnected ski area spanning Austria and Switzerland, with terrain of all expositions suitable for all levels of skier and boarder, though the late season conditions may not be optimum for beginners. The highly up-to-date lift system will transport us to over 200 km of pistes, 90% of which are over 2000 m, rising to 2872 m.

The exposition is critical as we choose the best areas to the get the best snow conditions for the time of day. Freeriders will certainly find some excellent off-piste opportunities – however do of course please heed avalanche warnings and take all necessary precautions. We have so often enjoyed outstanding skiing combined with wonderful sunny weather on this trip – where it is usually possible to ski back to the village. 

If you decide not to ski or board, there are plenty of other options to fill your time – hiking (we have one FSCer who hikes up to the concert each year), shopping (this is a great trip to pick up end-of-season sale bargains), people watching (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the party to kick off their honeymoon), spending a day at the spa or going straight to après-ski.

The list of artistes seen here by ski club members is legendary and include Sting, Pink, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, and The Killers.  We like to name drop – especially when on the journey back you bump into the artist and tour crew at the dinner break. The concert is held at the Idalp – the central cable car station at 2,300m – with the backdrop of Ischgl’s beautiful mountains. Throw yourself into the mosh pit, or join the group on the hill for a great view of the stage, a few drinks and some sliding between the local policeman’s legs.  Or be more sedate, and bring your favourite clothes and fancy dress costume to blend in with many of the other concert-goers – take your pick from kilts, Lederhosen, bikinis, mankinis, Middle Earth Orks, teddy bears or Vikings – the list is endless and it’s even more fun if you’ve been out on the slopes in your costume first.  There is no extra fee for the concert – that is covered by your lift ticket.

The whole village becomes one massive end-of-season party, particularly in the main square. Fire & Ice and Trofana Arena are among the must-visit venues – along with Mr. President’s favorite new bar, Pascha. Thursday evening tends to be a bit quieter (well, at least until our group gets there), but lots of fun can be had practicing your boxing skills in Fire & Ice – the results can be quite surprising! – and it’s good to get to know the bar staff so that you can beat the queues at the bar at the weekend.

We are again lucky enough to be staying at the 3* hotel Persura – so well located at the heart of the village, overlooking the main square in Ischgl, and close to some great restaurants (the short-cut across the slope to one of them is much fun in heels) . Should we find a few spare moments, we can relax in their wellness centre with Finnish sauna, steam-room and whirlpool.