Top 5 Things to Do in Mayrhofen, Austria in Winter
Later in this post I share a few affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase, at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support!
Are you considering a visit to Mayrhofen, Austria this winter, but not sure what to do?
Or maybe you’ve been Invited on a last minute ski break to Austria’s Zillertal Valley, but you’ve never heard of Mayrhofen?
Well fear not, because I’ve got a round up of the best things to do in Mayrhofen, including an extra fun honorable mention 😉.
Winter is the Best Time to Visit Mayrhofen.
First things first, pat yourself on the back because you’ve chosen the absolute best season for discovering this quaint Austrian village.
AND YOU’RE NOT ALONE IF YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE.
My own ski weekend in Mayrhofen began with a text message:
“Do you wanna go skiing in Austria this weekend?”
I was expecting Innsbruck, or maybe Kitzbühel.
But my friend texted back: Mayrhofen.
“Where’s that?!”
A few hours later, I had a train ticket (Frankfurt to Munich, Munich to Jenbach, Jenbach to Mayrhofen) and the early outlines of an itinerary.
After spending an awesome weekend in the Zillertal Alps, I can confidently offer you the best things to do on your winter getaway to Mayrhofen!
So without further ado, here are my recommendations:
Top 5 Things to Do in Mayrhofen, Austria in Winter
Ski Some of Austria’s Best Blue Run Slopes for Beginners…
Mayrhofen is a fantastic ski resort for beginners.
The main ski areas of the resort include Penken, Ahorn, and Rastkogel.
Penken especially offers a diverse range of ski runs for all ski levels from beginner to intermediate and onwards to advanced.
Rastkogel provides a mix of intermediate and advanced slopes, and links to the wider Zillertal 3000 ski area.
Ahorn has wide, gentle slopes, ideal for beginner skiers, as well as breathtaking views of the Zillertal Alps.
These beginner blue runs on Penken and Ahorn were some of the best beginner runs I’ve ever skied.
The blue runs at Mayrhofen had this beginner skier all smiles.
What makes a good ski run for beginners, you may ask?
First, the runs in Mayrhofen are wide slopes with a gentle gradient that wind around the sides of a mountain.
THEY AREN’T THE KIND OF SKI SLOPES THAT GO STRAIGHT DOWN THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN AT A STEEP ANGLE.
Second, the runs in Mayrhofen offered some of the most enjoyable skiing I encountered as a beginner.
Because you aren’t worried about navigating a steep run, cutting across it from side to side, you’re able to enjoy the run more.
New skiers have to learn how to ski, true, but they’re also fighting to overcome anxiety about new terrain they might encounter and how they might have to react to it with their limited skills.
THIRD, THE RUNS IN MAYRHOFEN ACTUALLY HELPED TO MAKE ME A BETTER SKIER.
I took on more speed through the straight aways and felt more confident leaning into parallel turns.
If you’re looking at the Piste Plan or ski slope map for Mayrhofen, these are my favorite blue runs:
Blue Piste 11, reachable by taking the Schneekarbahn to the very top of the Horburg mountain. Added bonus: Stop by the Schneekarhütte at the top of the mountain for lunch or a round of Aperol spritzes.
Blue Piste 4a, reachable by taking the Ahornbahn to the entry of the Ahorn ski area and skiing down to the beginning of the 4a run.
There’s one more thing that makes Mayrhofen such a great ski resort for beginners:
MAYRHOFEN IS A SNOW SURE SKI RESORT.
This means that the ski resort is more than likely to have enough snow for skiing during the winter season.
Mayrhofen sits close to the Hintertux Glacier, which itself has stable snow and ice conditions year-round.
This ensures reliable snow coverage even during warmer months or seasons with less snowfall.
(Fun fact: The Hintertux Glacier is one of only two spots in the world to offer skiing 365 days a year. The other is Zermatt in Switzerland.)
Despite the relatively warm temperatures during our trip to Mayrhofen, we still had fantastic ski conditions.
Case in point: it was 15 degrees celsius on our first day of skiing (that’s 59 degrees Fahrenheit 🌡️ 😅) but we still had fantastic snow condition.
It was so warm that we were sweating under all of our layers and stopping more frequently for water breaks.
Unfortunately, rising temperatures are a reality and can completely ruin a ski break, so it’s always a good idea to pick a snow sure resort like Mayrhofen.
ARE YOU MORE OF AN ADVANCED SKIER?
Then item number two on our list might be right up your alley.
…or Ski One of the Most Terrifying Black Runs in the World
Among serious skiers, Mayrhofen is famous for one run: Black Piste 34, also known as Harakiri.
Situated in the Penken ski area, Harakiri is one of the world’s steepest groomed slopes.
The 6562 feet (2000 meters) long run has a vertical drop of 1230 feet (375 meters) and a staggering incline of 78%.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE HARAKIRI IS AN EXPERT SKI RUN.
(Insider tip: ⛷️ Not sure you can handle the Harakiri? Try Black Piste 12, the DevilsRun, which is known among locals as the “Harakiri test” due to its steep slope at its finish.⛷️)
Because it’s so steep, the run actually requires a special anchored-winch snowcat to groom it every evening.
If you’d like to check out the Harakiri before you attempt it in Mayrhofen, here are two great videos of the run, one in pretty snowy conditions, and another on a clear and sunny day.
(Insider tip: ⛷️ Your ski skills aren’t up to the Harakiri, but you still want to see it in action? Ride the Knorren chairlift Red Piste 33 up to the lookout point. The right will take you up the mountain alongside the Harakiri, which will be in view on your right. ⛷️)
ALL THAT SKIING MAKES YOU THIRSTY.
Who’s ready for item number three on the list?
Celebrate Après Ski at the Famous Brück’n Stadl
Among my beginner’s shorthand for skiing in Europe (Italy, underrated; Switzerland, glamorous), Austria had a reputation for wild après-ski.
I now know that the “wild party après” status only applies to select resorts in Austria, but Mayrhofen lived up to the reputation thanks in part to the Brück’n Stadl.
We’d been turned off by the neon tackiness of Harakiri Bar and the underage crowd at Ice Bar.
BUT BRÜCK’N STADL HAD THE BEST ELEMENTS OF PARTY APRÈS SKI.
From the loudly thumping Schlager music, to the large planks of wood that served up ten beers (or Jägerbombs) at a time, the Brück’n Stadl makes it easy for groups to have a great time after a day of skiing.
Groups can buy their bevies in bulk at the Brück’n Stadl, where they’re served on long planks of wood.
There was an MC to keep the energy up, and a lighting system that bathed all our photos in various shades of green, blue, red, and yellow.
At one point there was a conga line, and later in the evening people started dancing on the stage.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, check out the nearby Scotland Yard Pub.
Experience the Mountains from Above on a Tandem Paragliding Flight
In between our ski runs, we watched as tandem paragliders prepared to take flight.
Just as we were preparing to point our skis down the mountain, the paraglider pilot and their passenger stood at the edge of the mountain, leaning into the wind.
OF COURSE WE HAD TO STAND AND WATCH THESE PARAGLIDERS TAKE OFF.
Their colorful canopy of the paraglider was laid out on the snow behind them.
Then, the pilot and passenger ran off the side of the mountain, and were lifted effortlessly into the sky.
Paragliding is one of the best non-skiing activities to do in Mayrhofen, though just like skiing, it’s not for the faint of heart.
We watched, amazed, as the paraglider soared above the valley, a surreal sight against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains.
Paragliding is one of the best things to do in Mayrhofen for non-skiers.
It’s a thrilling way to experience the mountains, and the aerial views are breathtaking.
Paragliding is accessible, especially for those with past injuries, and paradoxically both adventurous and peaceful.
There’s probably no better perspective from which to experience the winter scenery - especially for photographers and videographers.
Enjoy Sunset from a Rooftop Hot Tub
WHEN I VISITED MAYRHOFEN, MY FRIENDS WERE SET ON FINDING A PROPERTY WITH A ROOFTOP POOL.
Luckily, Sporthotel MANNI delivered.
A rooftop pool and hot tub may sound extravagant, but this was one of the best things to do in Mayrhofen!
Picture this: languid steam rising off of the pool’s heated surface, mountains basted with orange dusk in the background.
Sigh. I get wistful just thinking about it!
Watching the sun set behind the mountains after a long day of skiing is one of my top five experiences from my trip to Mayrhofen.
The pool at Sporthotel MANNI had both an indoor and outdoor portion, as well as an outdoor hot tub.
WONDERING WHERE TO STAY IN MAYRHOFEN?
The one downside of our spontaneous weekend trip, in the middle of high season, was the dearth of available lodging options.
Learn from my trip and book your hotel in advance.
I found a small, charming gasthaus, Villa Angela, close to the center of town.
It was a beautiful chalet style property with plenty of pine wood, spacious rooms, and a great breakfast.
What hotel would I have chosen if we’d booked more in advance?
The ElisabethHotel, with its luxurious amenities and close proximity to the Penkenbahn lift, would have been on my short-list.
The rustic elegance of the Hotel Edenlehen, with its fairy-tale-like exterior, would have quenched my thirst for an authentic alpine experience.
If I was in Mayrhofen for a full week though, I might even decide to stay a bit outside of the town center at the breathtaking ZillergrundRock Luxury Mountain Resort.
Honorable Mention: Attend One of Europe’s Largest Mountainside Music Festivals at Snowbombing
If you love electronic music, then try to plan your trip to Mayrhofen to coincide with the annual Snowbombing music festival.
THE FESTIVAL FEATURES A MIX OF ELECTRONIC, INDIE, AND DANCE MUSIC.
Performances with DJ sets and live bands take place in unique mountain venues like igloos, forests, and mountaintop stages.
Snowboning is a lively event with après-ski parties, themed activities, and a vibrant atmosphere that energetic music lovers will relish.
Quick Guide to Mayrhofen
Where to stay in Mayrhofen: Book your hotel at least six months to a year in advance if visiting during Christmas, New Year, February half-term, or the end-of-season Snowbombing Festival; otherwise, it’s best to book at least six to eight weeks in advance. I recommend the following hotels:
Skiing in Mayrhofen: Ski season in Mayrhofen typically opens in early December and closes in mid-April. Americans can take advantage of the long holiday weekends of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President’s Day to jet over to Europe for a quick ski break. Lift passes cost about 70 EUR per day. They cover Mayrhofen’s 142 kilometers of pistes across the ski areas of Ahorn, Penken, Finkenberg, Rastkogel and Eggalm.
Where to eat in Mayrhofen: Dining in Mayrhofen is dominated by Austrian fare both slopeside and in town. On our first night in town, we enjoyed a casual dinner at Restaurant Edelweiss, followed by a few Guinness at the nearby Scotland Yard pub. During both of our skiing days, we ate hearty burgers on the sun-drenched deck of the Schneekarhütte. This chic hut at the top of the Penken ski area serves fantastic food and drink, and also operates as a small hotel complete with spa and sauna.
We loved the burgers at the Schneerkarhütte, on the top of the Penken ski area.
Getting to Mayrhofen: Mayrhofen can be reached by either Innsbruck (INN) or Munich (MUC) airports. A rental car or hired transfer will complete the journey in one or two hours, respectively. Taking the train to Mayrhofen? The town’s train station is serviced by ÖBB, and the ride from Munich Hauptbahnhof is about two and a half hours.
How to get around Mayrhofen: Due to its small size, Mayrhofen is one of those villages where a rental car may be more of a headache than an asset. Everything is so close to the center of town that getting around by foot is the easiest and quickest option. Trekking to the Penkenbahn with ski gear was made easier by hopping on and off the ski buses that crawled through town non-stop.
Mayrhofen is a fantastic ski resort, even for non-skiers. Enjoy everything that it has to offer in winter! ⛷️❤️🏔️
xx,
Angela