The party capital of the Alps and unapologetic about it. Ischgl is a dense strip of modern hotels and bars in a narrow Tyrolean valley, with open air concerts by international acts opening and closing the season. The skiing is serious enough to justify the reputation. The runs are long and sustained, mostly red and black, with much of the terrain above 2000 metres and snow that holds into May. Confident intermediates and experts get a great deal of vertical here, and there are ski guides in the village for anyone who wants to go off the pistes. A lift crosses the border into Samnaun in Switzerland, which is quieter and duty free, so perfume, watches and alcohol cost noticeably less on that side. The Smugglers' Tour along the frontier is the summer version of the same idea. Four star hotels with spas are the norm and there is very little that is cheap. The Silvretta Therme in the village is the place to spend an afternoon when your legs have had enough.