Date: 3 February, 1929. Location of event: Gasthaus Sonne, Ischgl. Number of people in attendance: 25. Purpose of the meeting: Foundation of the tourist office. To put it simply, this was the day when organised tourism began in Paznaun.
Category: CULTURE
ISCHGL’S BEST-KEPT SECRET
When Ischgl is full of hustle and bustle, there’s a place where Ischgl locals go to meet each other. It’s new, discreet and very special. What’s this lovely surprise all about?
WHEN TOURISM SUDDENLY TURNED COLOURFUL
This is a brochure summing up the tourist highlights of the Paznaun region in a very special way. It’s the first piece of advertising to be printed in colour – and was created in 1955.
WHEN WE WERE STILL TOWED
A look back to the times when the lifts were slower and the lift attendants still had a very special responsibility.
WHAT HOLLYWOOD STARS LEARNT IN ISCHGL
“Downhill”, the brilliant comedy starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, largely takes place in Ischgl. The film has already been released in the USA, and the main characters and director have now shared with us what they learnt about the country and the people when they were shooting in Ischgl. Be warned – it’s very funny!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND MAURERFALZ?
You really don’t have to. These special Paznaun dialect words which probably sound so strange to your ears were used to make sure no one could understand them – a sort of secrete language.
PAZNAUN PEOPLE: NINA WOLF, MISS VORARLBERG AND STUDENT
Nina Wolf from Ischgl is 21 years old, studies in Höchst on Lake Constance, and was crowned Miss Vorarlberg last year. She tells Trisanna about her childhood dream, being nervous before appearances and being supported by her family.
THE TRISANNA MORAL COMPASS. TODAY: CAN I GO TO DINNER IN THE HOTEL IN A TRACKSUIT?
This is where we take a look at the big moral questions in the daily life of a skier. For example: can I wear joggers to dinner if the hotel specifies “evening wear” but 1) it’s a very nice tracksuit and 2) I wear it at home every evening anyway?
SWEDEN FOR DUMMIES – A CRASH COURSE
Swedes have three weeks of winter holidays starting from today – and many of them will spend the time skiing in Paznaun. Håkan and Venke have already arrived in the vanguard. We met up with them in Ischgl and asked them what we need to know about their compatriots.
GALTÜR: HEAVEN FOR WOMEN
When a woman married someone from Galtür, it used to be said that she was going to “weiberhimmel” – heaven for women. It’s not just a story, it’s a truth about Paznaun. We tell you all about it here.
PAZNAUN PEOPLE: EMIL ZANGERL, CHAIR OF THE “HEIMATBÜHNE” THEATRE GROUP IN SEE
When Emil Zangerl, 58, from See, is not working in the offices of the Tyrolean police force, he’s on stage. Acting is his calling and he’s performed regularly in the theatre in See for the past 29 years. He speaks to Trisanna about stage fright – and why the people of Paznaun prefer comedies to dramas.
THIS IS HOW PEOPLE IMAGINED SKIING 100 YEARS AGO
With the triumphal arrival of winter sports came wonderful images, too, which were created to advertise ski holidays in the Tyrolean Alps. The best-known artists and graphic designers of the time were commissioned to design the posters. We show you some of the most beautiful here.
PAZNAUN PEOPLE: ALFRED SIEGELE, WOODWORKER
Alfred Siegele is 63 years old and lives in Kappl. He used to be a crane driver, but since retiring, he has made decorative wood pieces which he sells throughout Austria. He talks to Trisanna about the peace of the mountains, his childhood in Kappl, and how tourism has brought the region to life.
DOWNHILL: A BIG DEAL FOR ISCHGL
“Downhill”, a black comedy starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, has its world premiere this evening at the international Sundance Film Festival. The film was largely shot in Ischgl. Andreas Steibl explains how this came about – and what it means for all of Paznaun.
PAZNAUN PEOPLE: EMILIO PIRCHER, SCHOOL BOY AND MUSICIAN
Emilio Pircher from See may only be 8 years old, but he already plays the accordion as well as any adult – if not better. We spoke with him about his performances, his role model and his favourite pieces of music.
GALTÜR IN THE OLD DAYS
It’s hard to believe, but this picture shows Galtür in the year 1900. Back then, the town consisted of just a couple of scattered houses. Things are very different today. And colourful.
SNOW SCULPTURES: SUPERSTARS YOU CAN TOUCH
For the past 27 years, gigantic snow artworks have been built in the Silvretta Arena – and this year is no exception. So be careful when you’re skiing, because you might suddenly find yourself face-to-face with Elton John. And larger than life, at that.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST: WHEN ISCHGL GOT ITS SKI SCHOOL
Long, long before there were ski lifts in Paznaun, there were already ski instructors in Ischgl. The Ischgl Ski School is celebrating its 90th birthday at the moment. We know how it all began.
PAZNAUN PEOPLE: SIMON OTTEN, DUTCHMAN AND SKI INSTRUCTOR
Simon Otten is the head of the Ischgl Ski School Children’s Land. He’s Dutch, but you’d never guess when he speaks, he sounds so Tyrolean. We listened to him for a while.
PAZNAUN PEOPLE: GOTTLIEB JEHLE, ZITHER PLAYER
Gottlieb Jehle is 71, and not for nothing is he known as the “Zither God”: for almost 45 years he has performed with his instrument, in Paznaun as well as in Arlberg, in Switzerland, South Tyrol and Germany. We invited him to pose for us.
