Mayrhofen Ski Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, Ski & Après

The Louk · 8 min read · Resort guide

IntermediatesBig aprèsLivelyFamiliesSnow-sure

Mayrhofen is the buzzing heart of the Zillertal - a proper Tyrolean town with a lively après scene, excellent intermediate skiing on the Penken, and Austria's steepest piste (the fearsome Harakiri) for those who dare. Its lift pass extends up the valley to the snow-sure Hintertux glacier, so there's always good snow somewhere. Great for groups who want a sociable town, plenty of cruising and a big night out - with family-friendly slopes on the Ahorn too.

Altitude630m town · up to 2,500m (Penken)

Ski areaMayrhofen ~140km (Zillertal ~500km on one pass)

Best forIntermediates · big après · lively

SeasonEarly Dec – mid April (glacier year-round)

AirportInnsbruck ~1hr · Munich ~2hr · Salzburg ~2.5hr

Trip typeGroups · party · families

Budget££ · lively, good value

⛷The skiing

Mayrhofen's main mountain, the Penken, is superb intermediate territory - wide, well-groomed cruising reached by a big gondola from town. It's also home to the Harakiri, at 78% gradient the steepest groomed piste in Austria. The gentle Ahorn is a separate, sunny mountain ideal for beginners and families. The Zillertal Superski pass opens up ~500km across the valley, including the snow-sure Hintertux glacier.

The HarakiriAustria's steepest piste (78%) - a real badge of honour.
Penken cruisingwide, groomed intermediate runs and a fun park.
Hintertux glacieron the Zillertal pass - snow-sure skiing all year.

📍 Official piste map & live lifts (mayrhofen.at) →

The Louk tip

If you're a confident skier, tick off the Harakiri - Austria's steepest piste. And when snow is thin lower down, the Zillertal Superski pass gets you onto the Hintertux glacier for guaranteed cover.

🏨Where to stay

Luxury

ElisabethhotelElegant 5-star superior spa hotel in the centre.
Sport & Spa Hotel StrassBig, lively and home to some of the best après.

Boutique & mid-range

Hotel NeuhausComfortable, family-run and central.
Hotel Neue PostTraditional Tyrolean charm by the gondola.

Chalets & cosy

Pensions & garnisGreat-value guesthouses just off the main street.
AparthotelsHandy self-catered options for groups.

🍽Where to eat

On the mountain

WanglspitzStylish mountain dining high on the Penken.
GrillhofalmRustic, sunny hut with hearty Tyrolean plates.
Vroni's SkialmCosy and lively for a long lunch.

In town

Mo's RestaurantBuzzy, fun and great for groups - burgers to schnitzel.
Wirtshaus zum GrienaBeautiful old farmhouse for traditional cooking.
Restaurant SonjaRefined Tyrolean fine dining.

🍾Bars & après

Ice Bar (Hotel Strass)The legendary après hub - packed from 4pm.
Niki's SchirmbarSlope-side umbrella-bar party.
Scotland Yard PubLively British-style bar for the evening.
Movement NightclubWhere the night ends late.

❄Off the slopes

Erlebnisbad / spaPools and wellness for a rest day.
TobogganingFloodlit sledge runs and hut dinners.
Hintertux ice palaceExplore a glacier ice cave up the valley.

🚁Getting there

Mayrhofen is beautifully easy: Innsbruck is around an hour, Munich and Salzburg about two. There's a train right into Mayrhofen (via Jenbach on the Zillertalbahn), so you can arrive by rail from the airport with barely a transfer.