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Overview of Mayrhofen
Located in Tyrol in the Austrian Alps, Mayrhofen is a stunning traditional-style ski resort which is blessed by brilliant slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all stripes.
There’s 142km of crisp corduroy here, with plenty of blues and reds for intermediate skiers, a plethora of easy runs for novices, and a batch of black runs that includes Austria’s steepest, the Harakiri, which is an eye-watering 78% gradient. Meanwhile, snowboarders and freestyle skiers will feel right at home here too, thanks to a well-appointed snowpark and plenty of off-piste terrain to explore.
Don’t let a modest 630m resort height fool you ̶ there’s pristine powder aplenty up to 3250m thanks to the close proximity of the Hinterlux glacier and Mayrhofen is part of the Zillertal ski area, which boasts a gargantuan 515km skiable area with an uber-efficient lift network that whisks you smoothly from one awesome snow-kissed playground to another.
There’s lots of authentic chalet-style accommodation in Mayrhofen ski resort and the chocolate box ambience is enhanced further by a charming church. However, come early evening this is by no means sleepy valley ̶ the renowned apres-ski scene is powered by bustling bars right by the side of the slopes and several bouncing clubs in the resort proper.
But if your main off-slope focus is rest and relaxation you’re in luck too, because there ‘s a wide range of comfy and stylish accommodation options here, many of which have onsite pool and spa facilities, while serene alternative activities include traditional horse drawn sleigh rides or simply strolling around soaking up the awe-inspiring scenery.
When you want an amazing all-rounder Austrian ski resort, Mayrhofen is truly magnificent and no one’s more capable of helping you make the most of it than Erna Low!
There is a lot of authentic chalet-style accommodation in Mayrhofen ski resort and the chocolate box ambience is enhanced further by a charming church. The resort also has several stylish accommodation options from luxury hotels to cosy apartments perfect for families and groups of friends. Non-ski activities include horse-drawn sleighs, toboggan rides and many more. Mayrhofen is also well known for its fantastic apres-ski evenings, powered by bustling bars and vibrant nightclubs in the resort centre.
Mayrhofen ticks just about every box and is the ideal ski resort destination. Read further for additional information.
Mayrhofen is a versatile Zillertal Valley ski resort with something to suit skiers of all aptitudes ̶ it’s a bonanza for intermediate skiers but sprinkles in a few tricky black runs to test advanced enthusiasts and has super ski schools, nursery slopes and green runs that nurture anyone finding their feet. Here’s the lowdown on skiing in Mayrhofen ski resort:
There’s 142km of pisted slopes here and 177 lifts to ferry you between them. The Mayrhofen ski village sits at 630m but most of the runs are concentrated between 1650m and 2500m.
There are plenty of red and blue runs here and many pistes marked blue would be graded red in other resorts, so if you’re a strong intermediate skier it’s pretty much perfect.
Are you an advanced skier and want to work your way up to Austria’s steepest run, the Harakiri? Try the Devil’s Run first (Piste 12) because it’s the perfect prep and locals have dubbed the tricky steep section at its end the ‘Harakiri test’.
The Harakiri run itself (Piste 34) is a testing 78% gradient located in the Horbegtal close to the Knorren Chairlift on Action Mountain Penken. It’s 2km long in total, with the most vertiginous section measuring 400m.
Buy a Zillertal Superskipass if you want to explore the wider ski area, which includes stunning cliffs in Zell am Ziller, terrific tree-lined runs in Ramsberg and much more.
If you can’t get enough of fresh powder, there’s a vast 300km freeriding area here (Austria’s largest) and snow is practically guaranteed in a long season that lasts from November through to May. The majority of these runs can be accessed via the lift system, which provides access up to 3250m, but hire a local mountain guide if you want to go further off the beaten track and you’ll unlock some of the nation’s best off-piste action.
It’s evident that this is a savvy choice for intermediate skiers and has plenty to offer advanced enthusiasts and powderhounds too ̶ expect an adventure every day during your Mayrhofen ski holiday!
With a highly-regarded snowpark, a variety of pistes and plenty of ungroomed powder to discover in the resort and the surrounding Zillertal ski area, snowboarding in Mayrhofen is fantastic fun. Here are a few tips for riders who want to make the most of it:
Home of the Altitude and Snowbombing festivals, Mayrhofen is a firm fixture in the calendar for snowboarders in the know from far and wide.
The Penken Park is bang in the middle of the ski area and features six spectacular areas: a kids area, medium area, medium jib area, advanced jib area, and pro area, with a four-person sun-jet chairlift and t-bar lift in the kids area to shuttle snowboarders of all ages to the action zone. A skilled team of shapers ensures that all jumps, rails and boxes are perfectly prepped every day and there are plenty of legendary lines to shred. The park also welcomes less advanced riders, with smaller rails and kickers to tackle before you work your way up to gnarlier obstacles.
Snow conditions are fab for most of the season, so there’s also a decent amount of freeriding terrain to explore and if you splash out on a Zillertal pass there are some sweet spots a little further down the valley at the Hintertux glacier and day trips to resorts like Zell am Ziller and Kaltenbach are also perfectly possible.
As you can see, Mayrhofen ski resort has a magnetic attraction for shredheads and the apres-ski scene is pretty special too (more of which later!).
Snow Conditions in Mayrhofen
A modest Mayrhofen resort height of 630m belies top lifts that take you to 2500m and glacier skiing up to a lofty 3250m, with a lengthy season that spans November to May. Here are a few key facts on historical snow conditions in this snow-sure Austrian ski resort:
The deepest snow in the 2020/21 ski season in Mayrhofen was 110cm in early January 2021, while snowfall of 145cm was reported in January 2020.
February and March have historically high snow depths here, with averages of 148cm at the ski area top and 27cm at the bottom and 148cm at the top and 16cm at the bottom respectively. These are the chilliest winter months in this vicinity but plenty of south facing slopes mean that there’s enough light and heat to make skiing perfectly pleasant.
On those occasions when natural snow cover wanes in Mayrhofen, there’s an impressive arsenal of 147 snow cannons which can provide coverage of 87km of piste.
In April and May the conditions can become a little slushy and this is when the resorts shaded, colder north-facing runs come into their own and snow cannons can enhance coverage in order to deliver a dynamic skiing and snowboarding experience for the duration.
For many snowsports enthusiasts, a crucial counterbalance to cruising the slopes during the day is socialising in the evening and if you’re partial to a party, Mayrhofen has a plethora of pubs, bars and clubs where you can enjoy everything from a quiet cocktail in suave surroundings to tankards of beer and tabletop dancing, or strong shots and banging basslines. Here are some Mayrhofen hotspots you shouldn’t miss:
Brück ‘n Stadl is nestled between the Penken and Ahorn lifts on Ahornstrasse ̶ if trad accordion music, live DJs and outrageous dancing til the wee small hours.
Pilzbar sits at the top of the Penkenbahn gondola and it’s the perfect place to kickstart your party, with pumping electro tunes getting the crowd animated from the early evening.
Elchbar is located close to Pilzbar, so you can slide out of one and slip smoothly into the other. There’s a similar type of lively vibe here and you might even find yourself belting out a few familiar songs in an impromptu singalong with fellow revellers.
Harakiri Bar is located bang in the middle of the resort’s main thoroughfare and it’s a cool place to enjoy a cosy cocktail in the early evening before it transforms into a trendy club as the night proceeds.
Scotland Yard Pub is a bit of a Mayrhofen institution. So called because it’s the former local police station, it’s a British-style boozer with an Austrian twist, with party nights, live bands and DJ sets throughout the week.
Mo’s is reminiscent of a New Orleans corner bar, which is appropriate as it feels like Mardi Gras every evening ̶ expect cheesy Europop, floor-fillers from across the decades in various genres and a brilliant, buzzing ambience.
As you can see, the apres-ski in Mayrhofen is vibrant and varied, so if you’re a bit of a social butterfly you can take a different flight of fancy every evening ̶ don’t forget to punctuate your partying with a bit of action on the piste though!
You’ll find all the essentials you expect from a well-appointed ski resort in Mayrhofen, and a little bit more. Read on for some top tips on facilities and amenities here.
You won’t struggle to find ski and snowboard outlets in Mayrhofen, but why not save yourself the hassle and let us make the arrangements for you?
We’ll swiftly source the best gear for your style and ability at the most reasonable price, roll it into your ski package and leave you with nothing to do but pick it up at a location near your accommodation on arrival, get changed and hit the
If you’re searching for Mayrhofen ski passes, several are available to suit, in a variety of durations including single day and 1.5 day passes and convenient half days that allow you to squeeze the maximum slope time from your holiday, while the Zillertaler Superskipass applies from two to 14 days and allows you to explore every ski resort in the Zillertal Valley (Hinterlux Glacier included).
With our close connections in Mayrhofen, we can often source some super discounts on ski passes for solo skiers, couples, families and groups ̶ if you’re interested in including ski passes in your Erna Low ski package, please ask us if any deals are available for your chosen dates.
The Erlebnisbad Mayrhofen Leisure Pool is an outstanding oasis for all the family, with an indoor pool complete with crazy slides, a heated outdoor pool where you can splash around in the fresh air and a superb sauna where adults can rest, relax and revitalise themselves.
Shopping in Mayrhofen is satisfying, with a range of stores selling sports gear, fashions and accessories on the resort’s main drag, while Innsbruck is a short hop away and features the popular DEZ shopping mall in the Amras district, which is the largest in Tyrol and includes everything from niche boutiques to cafes and restaurants.
The Mayrhofen Hippach area is a haven for families, with lots of special activities and entertainment on and off the slopes to keep kids of all ages grinning from ear to ear!
There are several highly professional ski and snowboard schools in Mayrhofen, including Skischule Ski Experts, Skischule Mayrhofen 3000, Skischule Habeler and Tiroler Skischule Mountain Sports. Friendly and professional staff will nurture and encourage kids of all ages, ensuring they make the most of these marvellous mountains.
Kids are well catered for here, with awesome activities like fun rides on Mount Ahorn, Beginners slopes with magic carpets, and alternative activities like winter walking, snow-tuning at Gerlosstein, ice skating and tobogganing. You can also hire handy 2 in 1 combi prams from the Mayrhofen-Hippach tourist board which can be converted from sports buggies to push chairs, so there’s no need to haul your own pram from home.
Fancy a day on the slopes or evening out in adult company? There are several babysitters officially approved by the Mayrhofen Hippach authorities, available 24 hours for a reasonable rate. These include Alpine Angels childcare and several individual sitters, but all have at least two years’ experience and the majority are English speaking.
Mayrhofen offers an impressively diverse range of slopes across all ski ability levels. Holiday-makers will find up to 139km of pistes and just over 500km across the wider Zillertal Valley. Mayrhofen offers everything from gentle slopes on both sides of the valley for beginners, steep slopes on the Penken Mountains and high-altitude glacier skiing on the Hintertux glacier.
