Ischgl, the Austrian ski centre that has been taken to court accused of not doing enough to stop being a super-spreader of coronavirus in the early months of the pandemic, reports its business was down 25% on the pre-pandemic average, but officials say that's better than they hoped.
"Truth be told, at the beginning of the winter season 21/22 we feared a much larger decline compared to the winter 18/19. This winter has clearly illustrated that many guests have found their way back to Ischgl and that the pandemic - with all its restrictions - has not diminished the desire for winter holidays in the snow and special experiences on the slopes," Alexander von der Thannen, chairman of the Paznaun - Ischgl Tourism Association, who noted that after the cancelled 20/21 ski season this winter also began with a three-week delayed start to the season due to the pandemic.
Ischgl's final weekend include a return of the season-end Top of the Mountain Closing Concert for which the resort is famous. Kings of Leon performed to 11,000 people on the stage at 2,320 metres performing hits including "Use Somebody", "Closer", "Back Down South" and "Sex on Fire".
Günther Zangerl, chairman of the Silvrettaseilbahn AG, commented, "Despite the difficult conditions this winter, we are proud that we were once again able to offer our guests a high-quality, but also safe skiing experience."