Ski Season in Austria – When to Go?
Austria is a very popular ski destination in Europe, and although there are no less than 435 different ski resorts across the country, many skiers gather at a limited number of ski resorts. Mayrhofen, being one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria, attracts masses of skiers. During certain periods of the year, there are crowds at the ski resort, and if possible, it’s best to avoid them by planning your ski holiday properly. Here are some tips for planning the best time to arrive for a ski holiday in Mayrhofen.
When is the Ski Season in Mayrhofen, Austria?
It’s interesting to know that Austria is one of the only countries in the world where you can ski all year round! The official winter ski season begins in early December and lasts until the end of March (sometimes even until the end of April or beginning of May, depending on the weather). In the summer months, you can ski in places like Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, Stubai Glacier, Pitztal Glacier, and Hintertux Glaciers.
How to Plan Properly to Avoid Crowds and Overload?
The best times to arrive for a ski holiday in Mayrhofen (and in Austria in general) are:
- November and December before Christmas
- January – after the first week of the month
- Mid-March (the two middle weeks of the month)
- April – on days when Easter is not celebrated.
During holidays, local school breaks (early February, Easter), and weekends, you should expect the ski resort to be crowded.
Even if you arrive in Austria outside of the busy periods, it is recommended to start your skiing day as early as possible. This way, you can enjoy fresh slopes that are not too crowded, especially in the morning. You can have lunch before everyone else and continue to enjoy skiing while those who woke up late are just heading for lunch. This is the right way to make the most of your ski holiday in Austria.
Mayrhofen Ski Resort
Mayrhofen ski resort, or its full name: Mayrhofen Penken/Ahorn/Rastkogel/Eggalm, is one of the largest and most diverse ski resorts in Austria. The ski resort has about 142 kilometers of well-groomed slopes and 59 advanced cable cars that will comfortably and quickly take you to the various peaks (at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level). The ski resort is located near the Ziller Valley (Zillertal) in North Tyrol, about an hour’s drive from Innsbruck.
Among the peaks of the ski resort, Penken peak is considered extreme, offering the Harakiri slope (slope number 34), which descends at a terrifying 78% gradient (this is the steepest ski slope in all of Austria).
Watch an explanation and the experience of skiing on the Harakiri slope:
Another recommended slope for advanced skiers is Wanglspitz. Not everyone knows about it – it’s a local’s recommendation.
The slalom slopes at Unterberg Racing Paradise are also undoubtedly an adrenaline-filled experience! For those who love Free-Style, have no fear! There are 6 highly experiential Free-Style skiing areas in the Penken Park complex.
The slopes of Ahorn peak will suit skiers looking for a more relaxed experience. This section also has slopes suitable for children, options for tobogganing, and a special drinks bar inside an igloo! In fact, the cable car to Ahorn mountain peak is the largest in Austria and can seat up to 160 people.
Watch the attractions in the Ahorn peak area:
The wide variety of ski slopes at Mayrhofen ski resort ensures that there are plenty of options for both beginner and advanced skiers. In addition, there are skiing areas for children if you are planning to make your visit to Mayrhofen an especially fun family holiday. Of course, all the skiing equipment you will need can be rented on-site. For a list of equipment rental shops.
Of course, at the various peaks, you can stop at mountain huts and enjoy a hot drink, food, and, of course, alcohol. We will elaborate on the culinary experience throughout the article.
Besides skiing, you can enjoy a variety of other attractions such as:
- Horse-drawn sleigh rides
- Snowshoeing trails, ice skating
- Ice climbing
- Paragliding
- Bouldering area (indoors)
- Ski and snowboard lessons – schools for beginners
Ski and Snowboard Lessons – Schools for Beginners
The ski slopes in Mayrhofen are considered ideal for learning to ski or snowboard. There are designated areas for learners with easy slopes and separate lifts. Because of this, the ski resort has several schools with professional instructors.
Click for the full list of schools (including contact details)
Recommended Accommodation in Mayrhofen
The town of Mayrhofen itself is quite small, with only a few thousand permanent residents. In the winter months, the area is mainly filled with many skiers. Due to its popularity, there are many hotels and guesthouses in and around the town. You can find recommended places in the consolidated list on Booking.com – click here. The small streets of the town and the rural houses give it a picturesque and sweet appearance, a wonderful addition to a holiday with an authentic Austrian flavor. Besides a wonderful ski experience, some consider Mayrhofen a spa and relaxation center that perfectly complements a busy day of skiing.
We can recommend a few selected accommodations:
- Alpendomizil Hotel Neuhaus – A luxurious 3-star hotel with stunning views of the Ziller Valley and relaxation options after a busy day of skiing. For more information, photos, and availability.
- Alpenhotel Kramerwirt – A 4-star hotel suitable for families. Located in a charming rural building in typical Tyrolean style. For more information, photos, and availability.
- Elisabeth Hotel – A modern and stylish hotel of the highest standard. This is an adults-only hotel suitable for a luxurious romantic holiday. For more information, photos, and availability.
- Hotel Garni Glockenstuhl – A central hotel with a very luxurious spa area. Well-equipped rooms and very convenient access to the cable cars. Considered one of the best hotels in town. For more information, photos, and availability.
- Hotel Landenhof Superior – A rural-style hotel, located a short distance from the Penken cable car. In addition to an excellent restaurant, it also offers guests a hammam and sauna. For more information, photos, and availability.
For other recommended hotels and guesthouses, click here.
Tips for a Culinary Experience at the Ski Resort
A ski holiday wouldn’t be complete without some good meals throughout your skiing days. You can enjoy excellent food at several places around the ski resort.
- Schneekarhut – A place with a wonderful view at Horberg peak. According to locals, this place has the best food in the area.
- Eisberghut – Located next to the Horbergbahn cable car station.
- Grillhofalm – Located next to the snow park at Penken peak.
- Night experience at Ahorn peak – Option for a fondue dinner in the evening at Café-Bistro Kunstraum. A special experience!
If your hotel is in Mayrhofen town itself, you can also try one of the restaurants in the heart of the town. The recommended ones are:
- Steakhouse Cafe Tirol
- Mamma Mia (Pizzeria)
- Griena – A restaurant with an authentic Tyrolean menu.
Après-Ski – Evening Entertainment Venues
[Placeholder for image of Mayrhofen swimming pool]
One of the experiences that makes any ski holiday especially worthwhile is, of course, après-ski – the celebration after a full day of skiing. Mayrhofen will allow you to enjoy après-ski properly. Of course, bars and pubs are scattered throughout the ski resort, but if you are looking for the most recommended places, here are some recommendations from locals:
- Harakiri Bar – A relatively new place with a beautiful design.
- Scotland Yard Pub – A great place for beer or mulled wine. One of the favorite entertainment spots.
- Mo’s – A very successful cocktail bar in the center of Mayrhofen. Includes live music.
- Arena Night Club – For club lovers, don’t miss this place. They always bring great DJs.
Relaxation and Spa
If part of your vacation includes pampering and relaxation, Mayrhofen allows you to tick that box too. After skiing and enjoying yourself, or simply if you want to take a break from skiing and relax, you can visit Mayrhofen’s heated swimming pool. With a water temperature of 31 degrees Celsius, you can warm up, relax, and let your muscles rest. In addition, the complex has two water slides, a jacuzzi, saunas, and several other nice water attractions. More information about the swimming pool.
Great Events Throughout Mayrhofen
Throughout the ski season, Mayrhofen’s event calendar is full and packed. One of the ski resort’s prominent events is called Snowbombing. This is a music festival held in early April and is considered one of the largest of its kind in Europe. For a week, many parties take place throughout the Ziller Valley and on the mountain peaks. An amazing experience.
Watch the Mayrhofen event schedule here.
More Info for a Holiday at Mayrhofen Ski Resort:
How to Get There:
Airports: You can fly to Salzburg Airport (170 kilometers) or Munich Airport (190 kilometers). You can also take a domestic flight to Innsbruck, which is about 65 kilometers from the ski resort. Read general information and a comprehensive explanation on choosing flights to Austria.
If you are landing at the more distant airports, you will probably need to rent a car and drive independently to the ski resort. It is recommended to read here about driving rules in Austria – so you are prepared.
Official Website of Mayrhofen Ski Resort.
Map:
If you’ve made it this far, we hope you now have a better understanding of what awaits you at Mayrhofen ski resort in Austria. It is undoubtedly a ski resort worth visiting for one holiday (or more). To be fully prepared for your trip, we recommend reading our guide to planning a successful trip to Austria.
