Background
The
Paznaun (German: [pat͡sˈnaʊ̯n] ) is a valley in western Tyrol, Austria, leading southwest from
Pians 
(856 m) to the Bielerhöhe (2071 m), a mountain pass at the border of
Vorarlberg 
and Tyrol.
The Paznaun is watered by the
Trisanna 
and surrounded by the Central Eastern Alps, specifically, the mountain ranges of Verwall in the north, Samnaun in the southeast and Silvretta in the south-west. The main villages in the Paznaun are See (1050 m),
Kappl 
(1226 m),
Ischgl 
(1377 m) and
Galtür 
(1586 m). Today, the main economic activity in the valley is tourism, especially winter sports. Each of the main villages has its own ski resort with the resort of Ischgl being the most prominent one.
Natural Disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic
The Paznaun Valley is prone to natural disaster, experiencing flooding, mudslides, and avalanches.