Mayrhofen is beautiful Austrian town settled in Zillertal valley between Ahorn and Penken mountains. Hintertux glacier is just around the corner up the valley. It is one of the best skiing areas in Austria. You can find slopes for all abilities. Infrastructure is new and fast. Snow reliability is great. Off piste possibilities are endless. Mayrhofen is well known for its apres ski and great restaurants. Sounds perfect? Read the rest of this Mayrhofen and Hintertux Review to see if this town is suitable for your next winter holiday.

PROS: Diverse, great snow reliability, modern infrastructure, vibrant night life

CONS: Can get crowded in peak season (Xmas and February)

Mayrhofen and Hintertux Slopes

Mayrhofen Slopes

As I have already mentioned at the beginning of this Mayrhofen and Hintertux Review the town is surrounded by Ahorn and Penken ski areas. They are not interconnected. Ahorn is substantially smaller. Beginners will find suitable slopes there. Even intermediate and expert skiers can amuse themselves on 5.5 km black valley run.

On the other hand, you can’t ski directly to the town from Penken area. There is skiroute number 30 which will take you to Hipach and from there you can easily get back to Mayerhofen by free ski buses. Bear in mind that the town is pretty low (630 meters above sea level) and that there is often absence of snow.

Contrary to the low position of the city, skiing area is high if you compare it to other Austrian counterparts. Peak of the resort, called Raskogel, lies at 2,500 m. Horberg is situated at 2,278 m and Eggalm at 2,300 m. As a result of that the resort has great snow reliability. Snow making capabilities, if needed, are also impeccable. 

Mayrhofen has great skiing infrastructure. Once you get down the slope, one of more than sixty lifts will take you back to the top in no time. There is total of 142 km of pistes. Runs are mainly red and blue, ideal for intermediate skiers. Families are going to find tons of interesting slopes (speed camera, family park, film your skiing, child friendly obstacles…). There is a treat for experts. Harakiri is the steepest piste in Austria with the maximum gradient of 78%.

If you have a ski pass for 2 days or longer you can also ski on Hintertux glacier. And that is not all. You will be able to visit neighboring resorts Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch and Zell am Ziller-Zillertal Arena for free.

Hintertux Slopes

If the conditions are not right on the mountains around Mayrhofen, you can stop by Hintertux in the blink of an eye. Hell, even if the conditions are great, you should visit the glacier. It will take you less than 30 minutes by car. Hintertux has it all: excellent snow reliability, wonderful snow quality, beautiful runs. I don’t need to tell you anything about the views, you will see for yourself. On the other hand, the weather and wind can be harsh. Also, it is not best place for the children if you consider neighboring Penken and Ahorn areas.

Top of the resort lies at 3.220 meters. There are respectable 64 km of slopes. Hintertux has staggering 1700 m skiable vertical. The glacier is only place where you can ski in Austria all around the year. There are several routs leading to the bottom of the gondola in valley. Fun Fact: Glacier ice is moving every year up to 40 m, so they must relocate the lifts.

Mayrhofen and Hintertux Freeride and Snow Parks

Until now you have read great things about Mayrhofen but that is not all. When it comes to freeriding, the resort excels. We found area around 150er Tux lift ideal for your off-piste excursions. You will end your run just above the snow park. As well as Penken, Ahorn has great slopes around valley run.

Hintertux is also great for freeriding. Snow quality is excellent. We found area around Larmstange lift and we stayed there whole day. 1a valley run can provide you with lots of fun especially if the weather is bad.

Mayrhofen has great freestyle area called PenkenPark. It has 5 different zones and lines for all abilities. You will find jumps, rails, and fun boxes of all kinds there. It is situated just by Sun-Jet lift.

Hintertux has place called Betterpark. It is one the highest parks in Austria, making it ideal training ground for professionals early in the season. They open it on first days of October. The park has everything you can imagine, even a half pipe. It is situated close to Olperer lift.

How to Get to Mayrhofen and Hintertux

The closest international airport is in Innsbruck, 70 km away. It will take you around hour to cover the distance. Munich is 190 km away and you will need around 2 hours for the transfer.

Zillertal valley has its own railroad called Zillertalbahn. It is convenient way to get to Mayrhofen. If you choose this option, you will have to change the train at station called Jenbach. The railway is 32 km long and it has narrower track gauge than standard.

Car traffic along the valley can get congested during weekends, especially on Saturdays due to big number of tourists arriving or departing at the same time.

Where to Stay at Mayrhofen or Hintertux

This Mayrhofen and Hintertux Review would not be complete without a part about lodging. Mayrhofen has wide choice of places where you can stay. From luxurious hotels to family runed guesthouses, it’s up to you.

There are no ski in/out places directly in the town, however you can find your accommodation close to the gondola. It is a bit expensive, but everything will be in your grasp. Cable car leading to the slopes, shops, restaurants, and bars are only several steps away.

If you don’t like hustle of city center, you can find a place for you in surrounding villages. Even if you don’t have a car, you will be able to use public transport and get to the first lift. Shuttle buses depart in every 15 minutes. Your accommodation doesn’t have to be in the city center, but it would be great if it is near a bus stop. You can book your place in Mayrhofen here.

Even Hintertux glacier has a bus connection to Mayrhofen but if you plan to ski there for several days maybe it is not bad idea to find your lodging closer. You can stay in Hintertux and Tux villages. Also, there are 3 hotels just around bottom gondola station. Find your accomodation in Tux here

What to Do After a Day on snow in Mayrhofen

Mayrhofen has great places where you can rest on the slopes. You won’t make mistake whichever you choose. Our recommendation is to take a brake at Schneekarhütte close to the top of 6SB Schneekar. The place has great selection of food and drinks. The restaurant is situated at 2.250 m and the view is going to blow your mind. Even if you are not hungry you can enjoy the scenery over a drink from their sundeck.

The resort is well known for its après-ski scene. First parties kick off several hours before lift closing. Elchbar has great atmosphere on the slopes. As the time passes party lovers move down to the town. You can have short stroll around base station of the gondola in town and you will find suitable entertainment for your friends and you.

In the afternoon you can chill at Mayrhofen indoor pool. Warm water, jacuzzi, lazy river and big water slide will help you recover after a hard day on slopes. You will need to pay a little bit more and you will be able to try out a sauna. Don’t be surprised if they ask you to take off your shorts on the way in. They don’t want to check out your hot body. That is just the Austrian way to relax in sauna.

After a day full of activities good dinner is a must. It is not hard to find good restaurant in Mayrhofen. Goldkind should be first on your list. They have delicious international cuisine. We had great steaks and Spanish tapas at El Toro. Der Postwirt restaurant in the Neue Post Hotel won’t disappoint you.

End of season in Mayrhofen is marked by Snowbombing festival. Venues range from city streets to farms around the town. It includes DJs as well as live music bands. Fatboy Slim, Madness, Dizzee Rascal, Pendulum, Grandmaster Flash and Prodigy are some of the artists who have performed at the festival.

If you liked this Mayrhofen and Hintertux Review, and you think that Mayrhofen is great place for your next winter adventure, please book your stay here. If you need any additional information, you can visit official website of the resort here