It was a brilliantly sunny day at the Idalp, a mountain plateau 2,300 meters high in the Austrian Alps that serves as a sky-high terminal for skiers being ferried up the slopes like cargo wrapped in puffer jackets. I was there for Ischgl’s annual “Top of the Mountain” concert, amid an estimated 19,000 attendees gathered to see Christina Aguilera in all her glory perform.
Anyone carving down the mountain at that time may have caught a glimpse of the astonishing setting: a pop star, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, a ski lodge, and thousands singing along to “Genie in a Bottle.”
The Grammy winner was the latest in a long tradition of superstars to perform at the end-of-season concert, following in the footsteps of Elton John, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Diana Ross, and Bob Dylan, among others.
Appearing in a fitted garter corset and sunglasses, Aguilera delivered the hits that mattered. Between swapping furs for a feathery boa, the pop star blended burlesque with performances of “Fighter,” “Dirrty,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Beautiful,” and other catalog favorites. The verdict: Aguilera is better than ever.
After the show, Rolling Stone emailed Aguilera about her time in Ischgl and her preparation for the high-altitude performance. “I’ve never been to a destination like it before. I’ve never played so high up in such a magical place in the clouds,” said the singer. “I kept the overall set list pretty up-tempo, up-beat… just keeping people on their feet, and with a couple of ballads. But even that, the crowd was just so excited and engaged and hands up in the air. Everybody was there to have a good time and escape.”
As for the most personal track to perform currently: “At this time, it would be ‘Say Something,'” she says. “That in particular really resonates, I think, given the state of the world right now. A lot of people feel chaos and chaotic, and are looking for answers to prayers and feeling a little hopeless or lost, which happens in life in general, but I think at this time, it definitely has a deeper meaning, and it feels good to sort of unite everyone on a hopeful note.”
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Aguilera also sees the seasonal change as a reflection of her own evolution—in particular an upcoming album and documentary. “I’m always looking to better myself, my life, my understanding of things, and my journey here,” she said. “I have so many projects in the works right now, and everything feels like a rebirth of sorts. As I’m in the process of a conceptual album—or project—that coincides with the documentary that’s been filming, but this album I’m excited about. Conceptually, there are a lot of things that are getting birthed at the moment and coming to fruition, so yes, I’m loving this time of year.”
For those wondering what to do post-concert, Ischgl has an enthusiastic après-ski scene once you venture back into town. You’ll inevitably run into the spillover and twirling dancers from Schatzi, a popular bar serving endless pizza and beer. It’s perhaps there that you’ll quickly realize why Ischgl has been dubbed the “Ibiza of the Alps.” There are countless different places of business to pop into, ranging from quaint English pubs to outdoor tiki bars to clubs churning out every remix under the sun. Conveniently, there are three Bründl Sports locations throughout Ischgl should you choose to be whisked back up the mountain.
I’d recommend Schlosshotel for a superb old fashioned and some pasta, and if you’re willing to make the 10-minute walk across the bridge, Hotel Solaria is run by a charming couple, Ankie and Markus Kathrein, and supervised by their dog, Mori. If you climb up the wooden staircase, you’ll find a well-stocked bar adorned with paintings of anthropomorphic deer clinking glasses and likely the best espresso martinis in town made by Robin, a stellar bartender who can whip up anything under the Ischgl sun.
