Ischgl calls mountain bikers for the 29th Ischgl Ironbike

The Ischgl Ironbike will take place for the 29th time on 3rd August 2024. The legendary event is considered one of the toughest and most challenging mountain bike races in Europe, taking amateurs and pros to their limits across the border along smugglers' paths steeped in history. There are four different distances to choose from. Total prize money: 48,000 euros. Early bookers save on the entry fee. Registration is now open.

The 29^th Ischgl Ironbike will take place on 3^rd August 2024 as part of a two-day mountain bike event. On the agenda: the legendary Ischgl Ironbike Marathon with its four courses Light, Medium, Hard and Extreme on 3^rd August, as well as a Short Track race for licensed riders and the Kids & Juniors Trophy on 2^nd August. Good to know: those who also complete the M³ Montafon Mountain Bike Marathon on 27^th July 2024 save money on the combined registration and can even be crowned with a royal title by participating in the Ischgl Ironbike. Details: www.ischglironbike.com

Ischgl Ironbike Marathon

It’s going to get exciting at the legendary Ischgl Ironbike Marathon on Saturday 3^rd August. The cult race is considered one of the toughest mountain bike races in Europe, leading along historic smugglers' paths through the impressive scenery of the Silvretta mountains on the four routes Light (25.3 km / 670 metres altitude), Medium (45 km / 1,890 metres altitude), Hard (60 km / 2,750 metres altitude) and Extreme (71 km / 3,400 metres altitude). Hard and Extreme riders reach their personal limits on the challenging routes, as the heavily-loaded Paznaun smugglers once did on their arduous journey across the border. The four Ironbike routes are open to all riders, but only the Hard and Extreme courses count towards the "Mountain Bike Challenge" for professionals. Total prize money: 40,000 euros. It pays to be quick: until 31^st May 2024, early bookers pay just 49 instead of 81 euros.  

Silvretta MTB King and Queen 2024

Those who want to become Silvretta MTB King or Silvretta MTB Queen this year can take part in both the M³ Montafon Mountain Bike Marathon on 27^th July 2024 and the Ischgl Ironbike on 3^rd August 2024. The combined scoring of Silvretta King and Queen will be held on the M³ extreme and Ironbike Extreme routes (King) as well as the M³ extreme and Ironbike Hard routes (Queen). The Silvretta Prince and Princess titles can be gained on the M² challenging and Ironbike Hard routes (Prince) as well as on the M² challenging and Ironbike Medium routes (Princess). The fastest in the women's and men's categories will be crowned and rewarded with royal prizes.

Short Track

Licensed riders will be able to compete in the Short Track race with a mass start on 2^nd August 2024. The line-up is based on points. The number of times the men and women have to complete the 2 km long course will be announced on the day of the event. Total prize money: 4,500 euros. Entry fee: 39 euros.

Ironbike Kids & Juniors Trophy: race for young bikers

Young mountain bike talents between the ages of 5 and 16 can get a taste of the action at the Ironbike Kids & Juniors Trophy on 2^nd August. The entry fee is 8 euros per person and includes a finisher medal.

Book early and save money

Early bookers can save heaps of money on both days. The entry fee for the Ischgl Ironbike is 49 euros on all routes until 31^st May, 69 euros until 25^th July and 81 euros from 26^th July 2024. You only have to pay 19 euros for the Short Track until 31^st May, 29 euros until 25^th July and 39 euros from 26^th July. All information on the programme, routes, prices and registration: www.ischglironbike.com or www.ischgl.com.

Along historic smugglers' trails

The sky is the limit in Ischgl. The locals generally don't like to be restricted and are inventive when it comes to getting around boundaries. After their duty-free rights were revoked in 1768, the era of smugglers began. In times of need the people of Paznaun smuggled goods in backpacks weighing up to 50 kg across the border into the Engadine and to Samnaun. In Switzerland, butter, cheese and furs were exchanged for coffee, rice, flour, tobacco, spices or the sweetener saccharin, which is easier to transport. Mainly in bad weather and unfavourable visibility, which did not make the gruelling ten-hour journey over narrow ridges and peaks any easier. The increase in tourism from the late 1950s onwards created jobs for locals and reduced smuggling. Fun fact: Ischgl’s first ski lift was financed by the profits from contraband trade. Nowadays hikers, mountain bikers and winter sports enthusiasts gain their own border experiences along the historic smugglers' paths between Ischgl and Samnaun. Learn more: https://youtu.be/E6cupKlnvlg