Lyla Lindsey
Mayrhofen is a charming town in the Zillertal Valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, offering some of Austria's best ski slopes for beginners and advanced skiers alike. The town is also known for its wild après-ski scene, with the Brück’n Stadl being a notable hotspot. Mayrhofen is situated near the Hintertux glacier, providing year-round skiing opportunities. In addition to skiing, Mayrhofen offers hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding, with the Penken and Ahorn mountains serving as popular spots for these activities. The town boasts excellent dining options, featuring both traditional Austrian fare and international cuisine. Mayrhofen also has a variety of accommodation choices, ranging from budget-friendly B&Bs to luxury spa resorts. Beyond winter activities, Mayrhofen is a great base for exploring the picturesque Zillertal Alps and its valleys, with numerous hiking trails and scenic reservoirs. The town also hosts the annual Snowbombing music festival, attracting electronic music enthusiasts from around the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Winter and Summer |
| Location | Zillertal Valley, Tyrol, Austria |
| Transportation | Train, bus, car, motorcycle, road bike |
| Activities | Skiing, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, snowboarding, tandem paragliding, touring cheese factory, snow art, torch-lit evening hike, igloo hotel, swimming, ziplining |
| Attractions | Penken Mountain, Fun Sport Station, Schlegeis Alpine Road, Schlegeis reservoir, "Silent Night" museum, Erlebnis-Sennerei Zillertal, Adlerbühne Ahorn, Snowbombing music festival, Ski School & Ski Rental Snowsports Mayrhofen, Penkenbahn Gondola, Ahorn Cable Car, Brück’n Stadl, Harakiri Bar, Ice Bar |
| Accommodations | Der Siegeler B&B, ElisabethHotel Premium Private Retreat, Hotels with hot tubs, luxury lodges, ski lodges, outdoor pools, swim-up bars, spas, gyms |
| Dining | Restaurant Edelweiss, Scotland Yard pub, Schneekarhütte, Krell, Konditorei Kostner, Butcher Hans Gasser, Alpenhotel Kramerwirt |
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What You'll Learn
Skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports
Mayrhofen, Austria, is a great destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. Located in the Ziller valley, it is one of Austria's best-known ski resorts, offering a wide range of slopes for all skill levels. The main ski areas include Penken, Ahorn, and Rastkogel, with 60 or 61 lifts and 142 km of slopes.
Penken is a large and diverse ski area, attracting action lovers with highlights such as the legendary Harakiri slope, which, with a 78% gradient, is Austria's steepest groomed slope. Penken also features PenkenPark, which caters to boarders and freeskiers of all levels. For those seeking a more relaxed skiing experience, Mount Ahorn offers wide, sun-drenched pistes ideal for pleasure skiers, beginners, and families. Ahorn also features the challenging 5.5-km Valley Run for sporty skiers. Rastkogel provides a mix of intermediate and advanced slopes and links to the wider Zillertal 3000 ski area.
Mayrhofen is also known for its vibrant après-ski scene, with the Brück’n Stadl being a famous spot for celebrations. The town offers a range of dining options, from casual dinners at Restaurant Edelweiss to elegant suites and excellent cuisine at Schneekarhütte. Mayrhofen also has a variety of accommodation options, from bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels, such as the four-star Elisabeth Hotel.
For snowboarding enthusiasts, Mayrhofen is the hometown of legendary snowboarder Thomas "Beckna" Eberharter, who played a pivotal role in shaping the snowboarding scene in Austria. Snowboarders can take advantage of the lifts to have extended "sessions" and stop by the Grillhofalm for refreshments. Mayrhofen is also home to Wolfgang "Wolle" Nyvelt, who has developed a unique snow surfboard called the Äsmo Pow-Surfer, providing a surfing experience in deep snow.
With its diverse ski areas, vibrant après-ski culture, and renowned snowboarding scene, Mayrhofen is a fantastic destination for skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports enthusiasts.
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Hiking and mountain biking
Mayrhofen, a valley town in the Zillertal Alps, is a haven for hikers, with soaring peaks, lush valleys, scented forests, and over 1,400 km of hiking trails. The Ziller Valley, in particular, is a paradise for outdoor adventurers, offering a range of sports and activities. Here are some hiking recommendations:
- Olpererhutte hike: This famous hike starts along the Schlegeis Alpine Road and offers panoramic views of the surrounding Austrian Alps and the Schlegeis reservoir. The overnight hut, Olpererhutte, is located above the reservoir and can be reached via a day hike from the parking lot.
- Hamberg Hike: This trail gently ascends through a forest to the summit of Hamberg, passing delightful mountain huts and rising above the treeline to a grassy plain. The summit offers spectacular views, making it an ideal spot for a picnic.
- Tristner Hike: This challenging hike is recommended for experienced adventurers.
- Kleiner Gilfert hike: This hike offers scenic views of the Zillertal Valley.
- Plauener Hütte hike: This hike also showcases the beauty of the Zillertal Valley.
When it comes to mountain biking, Mayrhofen-Hippach has numerous trails suitable for all abilities. The landscape features lush meadows, quiet side valleys ("Gründe"), and reservoirs. Here are some suggestions for mountain biking in the region:
- Take the cable car up to Penkenberg mountain, where five trails await, including one to the Rastkogelhütte hut, which sits at 2,117 meters above sea level.
- Start your ride from Schwendberg mountain near Hippach, and follow Route 401 to Zell am Ziller, taking in sections of the Zillertal Valley High Road.
- Explore the side valleys of Stillupgrund and Zillergrund, or ride to the huge dam wall at the Zillergründl reservoir, an area known as "Mini Tibet" by locals.
- The Bike Trail Tirol and the Bike Safari Tirol also lead through the region, offering extended rides with challenging elevation gains.
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Paragliding
A tandem paragliding flight is an unforgettable adventure, suitable for all ages (above 4 years) and ideal for families. It is a unique way to overcome your fear of heights and experience the thrill of flying. The professional pilots adapt to your comfort level, ensuring a weightless glide through the air or daring manoeuvres like loops, spirals and wing overs, if you're feeling adventurous.
The region's flying schools, such as the airsport flying school, offer basic courses and compact training for those interested in learning the sport. You can take introductory courses in paragliding and hang gliding from January to November, with the option to fly solo or with an instructor. The schools prioritise safety and provide professional instruction to help you confidently take to the skies.
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Visit the Schlegeis reservoir
The Schlegeis Reservoir is a popular destination in the Austrian Alps, offering a variety of activities for visitors. It is a picturesque reservoir known for its impressive construction, featuring a "double-curved" dam wall that is 725 metres long and 131 metres high. The reservoir is nestled within the beautiful natural scenery of the Nature Park of the Zillertal Alps.
There are several ways to get to the Schlegeis Reservoir from Mayrhofen. The best way to reach the reservoir is by car, as this is the quickest and most comfortable option. You can take the A12 motorway, which is subject to tolls, and exit at Wiesing. From there, continue on the Zillertalstrasse to the end. Alternatively, you can take the Schlegeisbus (line 4102), which departs from the Mayrhofen train station and takes around one hour. This bus operates daily during the summer months, but it is a seasonal service, so it is important to check the latest timetable before planning your trip.
Once you arrive at the reservoir, you'll be greeted by the impressive construction of the dam wall. The Schlegeis Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs in Tirol and Austria, and it plays a crucial role in regulating water levels and providing energy to the surrounding communities. Every ten years, the reservoir is drained and cleaned to ensure its continued effectiveness.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Schlegeis Reservoir offers several mountain biking trails, including the Zillertal Bike Trail, which starts in Mayrhofen. The reservoir is also a photographer's dream, with stunning scenery and peaceful surroundings. If you're looking to relax, you can pack a picnic and enjoy it by the lake or find a quiet spot to read a book or take a nap.
The Schlegeis Dam also offers a unique experience. You can explore the interior of the dam on a guided tour, which takes place from June to October between 10:00 and 16:00 every hour. Don't miss the opportunity to walk on the dam wall and take in the breathtaking views. The Schlegeis Reservoir is a must-visit destination when exploring Mayrhofen and the surrounding area.
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Explore the Zillertal Valley
Zillertal Valley, also known as the Ziller Valley, is a 40-kilometre-long valley in the west of Austria. It is the birthplace of alpine mountaineering and is surrounded by numerous three-thousand-metre peaks, with the highest elevation being the Hochfeiler at 3,509 metres. The valley is characterised by grain fields and lush meadows, with gently rising mountain slopes. The Hintertux Glacier, located at the end of the valley, offers the longest skiing season in Austria and is the only ski area in the country that is open all year round.
The Zillertal Valley is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, with four varied ski areas and several hundred kilometres of pistes. The ski areas range in altitude from 630 to 3,250 metres above sea level, ensuring optimal piste and snow conditions. The valley is also home to the Zillertal Arena, the largest of the four big ski areas, which was developed in the 1950s with the construction of the Gerlosstein ski region.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the Zillertal Valley offers a wide range of other sports and activities. These include mountain biking, rafting, hiking, and climbing. The Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park, with its 80 glaciers, is a particularly popular destination for hikers and climbers. The valley is also known for its traditional cuisine, such as Zillertaler Krapfen (crispy dumplings with cheese filling), and its exciting folk festivals, like the annual Gauderfest in Zell am Ziller.
For those looking for a more relaxed experience, the valley offers breathtaking views, fresh mountain air, and a chance to immerse themselves in nature. The Panorama Terrace, the Nature's Ice Palace, and the Spannagel Cave are among the highlights of the Zillertal Valley that can be enjoyed all year round. The valley is also home to the adventure pool in Mayrhofen, which offers fun and relaxation for all ages with its outdoor pool in summer and indoor pool and sauna in winter.
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Frequently asked questions
Mayrhofen is a great place to visit in the winter, with skiing, snowboarding, and paragliding on offer. There are ski slopes for all levels, from beginners to advanced, and ski schools for those who want to learn. The town is also known for its wild après-ski, with the Brück’n Stadl being a particularly popular spot.
In the summer, Mayrhofen offers hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding. The hiking trails in the Zillertal Alps are accessible by bus and include the family-friendly path to Hohenau Alm, a small Tibetan-style teahouse. The Ziller Valley also has an outdoor adventure swimming pool, and the Schlegeis reservoir with a twisting mountain road and a high-speed zip wire.
Mayrhofen can be reached by flying into Innsbruck or Munich airports and taking a rental car, hired transfer, or train to Mayrhofen. The town has one railway station, located next to the Zillertaler Bundestrasse, and the railway runs between Jenbach and Mayrhofen.
There are several good restaurants in Mayrhofen, including Restaurant Edelweiss, the Schneekarhütte, and the Scotland Yard pub. Konditorei Kostner is a great spot for coffee and cake, and Butcher Hans Gasser is recommended for a quick, casual lunch.
Mayrhofen has plenty to offer besides skiing, including the annual Snowbombing music festival, a week-long celebration of electronic music. The town is also home to a cheese factory, a birds of prey centre, and a museum dedicated to the Christmas carol "Silent Night".
