Each year the popular winter resort of Ischgl holds pop concerts to open and close its ski slopes and this year is no different as James Blunt opens Ischgl ski season by headlining its top of the mountain concert.
Ischgl’s opening weekend at the end of November drew 17,000 skiers who enjoyed exceptional snow conditions and clear blue skies to herald in the new season. And the après-ski took the form of an energetic outdoor concert by Blunt, whose performance as part of his worldwide Moon Landing tour was a huge hit with the 20,000-strong evening crowd as he picked up the pace with his more lively numbers and even braved ‘crowd surfing’ with the adoring audience.
Andreas Steibl:Paznaun-Ischgl Tourist Director said “Thanks to its altitude, skiing in Ischgl can be enjoyed up to almost 3,000m. In recent weeks we have benefitted in particular from snowfall from the south , so we can now offer visitors great conditions.”
Skier Blunt was on a tight schedule, slotting in Ischgl between gigs in the UK and told fans: “It’s an incredible feeling to be able to open the ski season here in Ischgl. I wish I had time to do a few runs. The pistes look fantastic.”
Ischgl’s five month long winter season is bookended by concerts with big name stars … last season was closed by Robbie Williams, who followed in the footsteps of artists including Elton John, Lionel Richie, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry and Deep Purple in the 20-year-old Top Of The Mountain series of concerts.
The opening weekend also marked the opening of the new Pardatschgratbahn gondola system from the village of Ischgl up to the ski area.
