With 139 kilometers of pistes, Mayrhofen is the second largest ski area in the Zillertal and is one of the highest ski areas in Tyrol. As a connoisseur ski area, freeride mecca and party hotspot, it is in demand with many winter sports enthusiasts.

1) General information about the Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area

• 139 kilometers of slopes and 58 lifts
• Two ski mountains with slopes up to 2,500 m
• “Best place to ski” and popular après-ski hotspot

Mayrhofen is the pulsating center of the Zillertal. The perfectly developed Mayrhofen and Hippach offers you a total of 139 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes, accessed by 58 lifts. These are divided into 40 km of blue, 69 km of red and 30 km of black slopes. In addition, the ski area offers 10 km of ski routes for adventurous fun away from the groomed slopes. State-of-the-art cable cars take you directly from the center of Mayrhofen to the mountain stations of the two ski mountains Penken and Ahorn.

The Ahornbahn, which is the largest gondola lift in Austria, opens up the slopes of the “Genießerberg” to you. Mostly blue slopes with breathtaking views over the Zillertal helped the Ahorn to achieve this honorary title.

The Penkenbahn takes you to the mountain station of the 2,095 m high Penken in no time. As an “action mountain”, it lives up to its reputation: you can put your skills to the test on the red and black runs.

From December 2018, a new 10-person monocable gondola will connect the Mösl am Hochschwendberg district with the Penken Action Mountain, promising even more comfort and unique fun on the slopes for all ski enthusiasts. If that’s not enough, you can also explore the slopes of Rastkogel, Horberg and Eggalm.

At the Rastkogel you will find the highest point of the ski area at 2,500 m. The average snow depth on the mountain during the season is 71 cm and sun worshipers look forward to 81 sunny days. With an average of 19 sunny days, December comes off the best.

Cross-country skiers have a wide choice in the valley. In total, you will find almost 33 km of well-groomed trails around Mayrhofen and Hippach. On the Gerlosplatte there is also the possibility of using the range of snow-sure high-altitude trails.

2) Mayrhofen & Hippach piste map

3) Skiing in the Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area

The special thing about the Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area is that families as well as experts and freeriders find the best conditions. The Ahorn in particular is characterized by its wide, blue slopes, on which skiing can be learned very easily. Several ski schools throughout the ski area ensure the well-being of the little ones, instruct them in the art of skiing and suggest important rules of conduct.

A literal highlight is the White Lounge on the Ahorn Plateau. During the day, it’s best to relax here with a drink on the sun terrace and let the impressive mountain backdrop take its effect. At night, the White Lounge offers something very special: The igloo hotel accommodates die-hard overnight guests during the winter season.

Another highlight in the Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area is the “Vans Penken Park”. This Eldorado for freestylers offers everything an adrenaline junkie’s heart could possibly desire. The park, divided into seven areas, has obstacles for every taste, from the beginner to the medium to the pro area. In addition, the Fun Ride offers you a varied boardercross route. The chairlift belonging to the snow park ensures that you can continue to hone your skills and seamlessly build on your successes.

Above the Filzenalmlift on the Ahorn there is a fun slope that is just waiting to be ridden by you. In addition, the ski area offers three free race tracks with time measurement, which invite you to race with your friends.

There are WiFi hotspots in almost the entire ski area. You can share your experiences and memories directly with your friends and relatives back home, or you can use an extremely helpful and informative function: “Skiline”. This tracking function records the data of your ski day using the ski pass. In this way, you can see later at the accommodation which slopes you have skied, how many meters you have climbed and much more.

4) Expert evaluation

The expert ratings reflect it: The Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area is the perfect place to go for a successful skiing holiday. In most of the evaluation criteria, it achieved the highest score of 5 stars. Overall, the ski area has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, which is hard to beat.

5) Off-piste activities

The range of off-piste activities in the Zillertal is almost as large as the range of slopes themselves. The “most active valley in the world” has something for every taste: After the fun on the slopes, the fun really starts! The numerous alpine pastures and mountain huts invite you to take long lunch breaks with their typical dishes and the mountain stations of the mountain railways ring in après-ski in the afternoon.

In the valley station, the celebrations can then continue, for example in the “Hiata-Madl” or the “Yeti Bar” at the Horbergbahn, as well as in Mayrhofen in the “Icebar” and the “Brück’n Stadl”. In general, Mayrhofen is one of the most popular après-ski locations in Austria, which is also reflected in the nightlife: If you want, you can party in the discos until the early hours, for example in the Schlüssel Alm. The rustic discotheque, whose inventory consists mainly of wood, is only about three minutes’ walk from the Penkenbahn in the center of Mayrhofen.

The Schluessel Alm opens its doors from 9 p.m. and during the evening there is a lot of rocking and singing here. The DJ draws on the current charts, on classics and of course on some après-ski hits, so that it doesn’t keep passionate dancers on the stool for long. For those who prefer to leave the dancing to others, the Schlüsselalm offers a number of alternatives.

So you can make yourself comfortable at one of the two long counters and watch the hustle and bustle from a safe distance. The “play children group” is not neglected either; there is billiards, table football, a dart board and a punching ball machine, on which your own strength can be measured. Another special place to end the evening more relaxed is the British pub called Scotland Yard.

In the corner of the old villa, darts are played in the classic way and there are renowned types of draft beer and freshly baked pizza.

Another highlight not to be missed takes place every April. A week of partying is the order of the day in Mayrhofen with the so-called Snowbombing. Then numerous famous artists such as B. Grandmaster Flash, Prodigy and Dizzee Rascal and transform the small place into a single stage.

Mayrhofen has successfully managed the balancing act between party and family vacations: If you don’t feel like partying, you can make the evening unforgettable with a variety of leisure activities. On the Gerlosstein, a snow tubing run invites young and old to slide – the great thing about it: Use of the approx. 200 m long, prepared snow tubing run is free. Tobogganists also get their money’s worth on the Gerlosstein. You can borrow fun equipment at the Hainzenberg toboggan center.

If you are more of a romantic nature lover, you should take a guided winter hike. The local mountain guides know the most beautiful trails as well as the local wildlife. The cracking of the snow under the shoes in the calm of the snow-covered landscape is music to the ears of every connoisseur. Alternatively, you can end the day in the Mayrhofen adventure pool. Exciting slides or relaxing wellness offers – everyone gets their money’s worth here.

You can also mingle with the locals at the annual cattle drive from the alpine pasture into the valley or at the Christmas market to contemplative music and one or two mulled wine.

6) Places in the Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area

Mayrhofen (633 m) forms the center of the rear Zillertal. Everything your heart desires is here: entertainment, a shopping mile and après-ski. In addition to the main towns of Mayrhofen and Hippach , the rear area of ​​the Zillertal consists of several other villages. For example Finkenberg , Schwendau and Ramsau . Behind Mayrhofen, the Tuxertal begins with the eponymous town of Tux (1,281 m).

7) Arrival in the Mayrhofen & Hippach ski area

The journey to the Zillertal is very easy thanks to the very well developed infrastructure. Coming from Germany, follow the Inntal motorway directly to the Zillertal exit. From there you can easily take the federal road to Mayrhofen, about 30 km away. The region is also perfectly connected to public transport.

The Zillertal Railway runs along the entire length of the valley with stops in several places. In Jenbach (approx. 35 km) you have access to all other rail connections in the Inn Valley.

If you arrive by plane, it is best to fly to Innsbruck Airport, which is around 75 km away. Starting from the capital of Tyrol, you can easily reach the Zillertal by public transport. Alternatively, you can also travel from Salzburg Airport, approx. 150 km away, or from Munich Airport, approx. 185 km away.