THEY do things differently in Ischgl.

Like plonking a grand piano on the top of a mountain for an Elton John concert, for example.

The Austrian ski resort’s reputation is growing, helped along by its attention-grabbing brainwave to host season opening and closing concerts.

Elton John was, in 1995, the first major star to perform the Top of the Mountain gig, 2,400m up, slap bang in the middle of the main Silvretta piste area (the grand piano was dropped in by helicopter, unsurprisingly).

He returned in 2008. Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, Pink, Lionel Richie and Rod Stewart have also done the honours.

This season just past, on May 1, The Killers performed as the snow fluttered down on 15,000 fans at Idalp, near the top station of the main gondola out of Ischgl.

With competition among the Tirol destinations fierce, Ischgl wanted to do something different to stand out, and it has shrewdly carved out a niche with these gigs.

But it has plenty more to offer on and off the piste, it’s not simply the haunt of the rock and pop fan.

And it is no wonder that Ischgl is becoming an increasingly popular destination for British skiers.

The slopes themselves are challenging and varied for intermediates, while snowboarders are well catered for with one of the better parks around. Ischgl is at an altitude of nearly 1,400m and the snow is sure, hence the late season end.

It is a traditional Austrian village, in the Paznaun valley. It is compact, and clustered around the main pedestrianised street, Dorfstraße, which gives it a homely appeal, even with the preponderance of many glitzy shops, hotels, restaurants and vibrant bars that are not for those seeking a quiet time.

Niki’s Stadl is a happy bar that bounces along to a rather bizarre, yet strangely intoxicating mix of Austro-Oompah-meets-Euro-Pop. It gets going at 4pm, and boy does it get going. You’re teleported into a parallel universe – well worth a visit.

Over at Schatzi, at the Hotel Elisabeth right at the foot of the main run back to the village, pretty buxom ladies in traditional Tirolean dress serve you beer and dance on the bar. Quite.

There is a sense of the well-heeled in Ischgl, but with more than 11,000 guest beds in a variety of accommodation to chose from, there is scope for all.

Our group stayed at the classy 4-star Designhotel Madlein, a boutique-style hotel that is classy and cool, but not ostentatious.

For the serious party animals, Pacha nightclub is on site – entrance is free for guests – plus the Coyote Ugly table dance bar.