Mayrhofen resort guide - a general overview
Mayrhofen is a British favourite, with an excellent reputation for good ski schools and a varied après ski scene. For ski-in / ski-out convenience it is the wrong choice. However, once there, the skiing options are far, far greater than in most ski resorts, with the Zillertal full area lift pass area covering a staggering 671km of pistes and 174 lifts - more than enough skiing for a week. The full area pass also covers the Hintertux Glacier ski region (less than 30 minutes away by free bus) which offers slopes at well over 3,000m in altitude - snow sure at any time of the season. A twenty-minute bus ride in the other direction enables you to reach the high altitude ski area of Kaltenbach, called the Hochfugen ski area.
Although Mayrhofen is one of the lowest resorts in Europe, in terms of its resort altitude (and consequently runs down to resort can be closed), much of the ski domain is above 1,600m in altitude. The Hintertux Glacier and Lannersbach ski areas can be accessed easily by a free and regular shuttle bus. Both of these areas are substantially higher and are worth investigating (especially if snow or visibility are poor on local slopes).
More and more British companies are offering catered chalets in Mayrhofen which are actually very good value for money.
Resort stats
133km
630m - 2,250m
Level of skiing
- Beginners
- Intermediates
- Experts
- Snow sure
- Off-piste
- Ski area
Qualities
- Charm factor
- Non-skiers
- Nightlife
- Resort layout
- Fine dining
- Short transfer
- Resort value
Airports
- Innsbruck
- 1hr
- Munich
- 2hrs 30mins
- Salzburg
- 3hrs
1 ski chalets in Mayrhofen View All
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large ski area served by high speed lifts (the Zillertal area pass covers 671kms of pistes)
- Access to nearby ski areas is on the same lift pass and reached by a free bus
- Lively apres ski scene with a good variety of bars
- Good for the non skier with lots of off slope facilities
- Excellent children's amenities
Cons
- Slopes can get crowded especially during busy weeks
- Often long queues for the gondola to Penken, which is inconveniently situated
- Few steep pistes but they do include one of Austria's steepest
- No runs back to the village from Penken which is the main local area of slopes
- The best area for novices, the Ahorn area, is completely seperate
Restaurants
Mayrhofen Resort Restaurants
A lot of restaurants are based in hotels in the resort, including Manni's, which is great for Pizza's but can be a little expensive.
Mayrhofen Mountain Restaurants
There are lots of mountain restaurants to choose from in Mayrhofen and most of them are quick and good value, but can get very busy. The Schneekar restaurant at the top of the Horberg has table service and will often have a jazz pianist. Grillhofalm is by the terrain park and serves good pizzas. There is also the White Lounge, which has outdoors seating, music and will often have art exhibitions.
Mayrhofen Apres Ski
Apres ski in Mayrhofen is very lively and has a lot on offer, but it is controlled. The usual trend is to start at the top of the Penken gondola before moving to the Ice Bar at the Hotel Strass.
Mayrhofen Nightlife
There are quite a few late night bars and nightclubs. Popular with the Brits are Mo's American theme bar and Scotland Yard. There is also Happy End and the Picadilly Pub and if you fancy a dance then Schlusselalm and Sports Arena are the places to head to.
Funicular
Cable Car
Gondola
Chair lift
Drag lift
Property
