Mayrhofen
142km of pistes, 61 lifts, 1,870m vertical. Home to Austria's steepest run Harakiri and Penken Park in Tyrol's Zillertal.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
4 Dec 2026
Closes
11 Apr 2027
Days open
128
Annual snow
5.2m
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Mayrhofen delivers 142 kilometres of piste across six interconnected sectors - Penken, Horberg, Ahorn, Finkenberg, Rastkogel and Eggalm - with a vertical drop of 1,870 metres spanning 630 to 2,500 metres elevation. The resort claims Austria's steepest groomed run, the Harakiri, with a 78% gradient on the Penken sector. Snow reliability comes from 89% of terrain sitting above 1,700 metres and snowmaking coverage across 80% of runs using 360 snow cannons. The Zillertal Superskipass extends access to 544 kilometres across four major ski areas including Hintertux Glacier.
Terrain breaks down as 27 red runs, 22 blue runs and 3 black runs across predominantly open alpine bowls above the treeline. The Penken sector draws confident skiers to the Harakiri and the eight-zone Penken Park, one of Europe's most developed freestyle facilities with areas ranging from beginner to professional level. Ahorn offers a contrasting character with wide, sunny blue runs suited to beginners and families, plus the 5.5-kilometre Valley Run descent with nearly 1,300 metres of vertical back to Mayrhofen. Off-piste terrain opens up after fresh snowfall, with challenging steeps and alpine bowls accessible from multiple lifts.
The Tyrolean village of Mayrhofen sits at the head of the Zillertal valley and maintains traditional architecture alongside a well-developed après-ski scene. Bars like the Ice Bar at the Penkenbahn summit and Bruck'n Stadl in the village anchor a nightlife reputation that rivals St Anton and Ischgl. On-mountain dining spans traditional huts including Gschösswandhaus and Schneekarhütte, with the White Lounge Ice Bar and Igloo Hotel on Ahorn offering alternative experiences. The April Snowbombing festival transforms the resort into Europe's largest on-snow music event.
The Zillertal Superskipass - automatically included with any pass of two days or more - unlocks Hintertux Glacier's year-round skiing 30 minutes by free ski bus from town. Multi-day passes also include free valley public transport on the Zillertalbahn train and ski buses. The resort suits intermediate skiers seeking mileage, advanced riders chasing steep terrain, and freestyle enthusiasts heading to Penken Park. Families benefit from Ahorn's dedicated learning terrain and ski schools, whilst the lively village appeals to groups seeking post-skiing entertainment.
1870m
Vertical
56
Runs
142 km
Piste
5.2m
Annual snow
Zillertal Superskipass
Pass
The Terrain
56 runs across 142 km of piste
Mayrhofen drops 1,870 metres from its 2,500-metre high point to the valley at 630 metres, with 56 runs and 142 kilometres of piste spread across the Penken, Horberg, Ahorn, Finkenberg, Rastkogel and Eggalm sectors. Intermediates lead with 46%, followed by beginners on 31%, advanced skiers on 15% and experts on 8%, a more expert-heavy profile than most big Tyrolean areas. The pistes sit mainly above the treeline in wide alpine bowls, served by fast chairlifts, while Ahorn is the smaller, sunnier area with wide pistes that suit beginners and families.
Penken is where the serious skiing happens. The Harakiri is 1.2 kilometres long, falls 376 metres and carries a 78% gradient, which makes it the steepest groomed piste in Austria and a rite of passage for confident skiers. The eight-zone Penken Park caters to freestylers at every level, and the 5.5-kilometre valley run from Ahorn drops nearly 1,300 metres back to town. Anyone wanting a big, varied day should treat Penken as the main attraction and Ahorn as the easy alternative.
Terrain split
56
runs
56 runs across 4 grades
Beginner17 runs · 31%
Intermediate26 runs · 46%
Advanced8 runs · 15%
Expert4 runs · 8%
Time it right
When to visit Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen's 2025-2026 season runs from December 5th through April 12th, spanning approximately 19 weeks of operation. Lifts typically operate from 8:00am until 4:00pm, with last cable car ascents at 4:30pm. The Ahornbahn opens at 7:30am during peak season for early morning runs on the freshly groomed 5.5-kilometre Valley Run before crowds arrive. Access gondolas at Penken, Horberg and Mösl open by 8:00am throughout the main winter period.
Annual snowfall averages around 420 centimetres at summit elevation, with the snowiest period falling in the second week of January when three to four snowy days typically deliver 28 centimetres. February offers the most reliable base depths, averaging 115 centimetres at upper elevations. Snowmaking covers 80% of marked runs using 360 snow cannons fed by five reservoirs, ensuring coverage from December through April even in low-snowfall years. The 2,500-metre summit elevation helps preserve snow quality while the low 630-metre base can see variable conditions in warmer periods.
January and February deliver the most consistent powder conditions, though slopes above 1,700 metres - representing 89% of the ski area - hold snow reliably throughout the season. March brings the sunniest skiing with an average 18 clear days, whilst late-season visitors in early April find softer spring snow and fewer crowds outside the Snowbombing festival week. Christmas and February half-term see peak visitor numbers and potential morning queues at the Penkenbahn, which the 3,840-person hourly capacity largely manages.
Snowbombing festival runs from April 6-11, 2026, transforming the resort with six days of electronic music across mountain and village venues including the Forest Stage and Igloo. The Full Metal Mayrhofen event takes place March 23-28, 2026, bringing heavy metal to the slopes. Night skiing operates on selected evenings on Ahorn with floodlit sessions. The resort closes on April 12th, though Hintertux Glacier - accessible on the Zillertal Superskipass - offers year-round skiing just 30 minutes away.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
11 Apr 2027
Closes
128
Days open
5.2 m
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Mayrhofen
Daily snow reports at Mayrhofen go back to 1996, 31 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
51 cm
Snowiest day
5 Dec 2020
23 cm
This winter · 2026-27
so far
524 cm
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
cm
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Mayrhofen, and where to stay
Mayrhofen sits at 630 metres elevation at the head of the Zillertal valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol, where four valleys converge beneath 3,000-metre peaks of the Zillertal Alps. The town lies in the Schwaz district, approximately 67 kilometres southeast of the regional capital Innsbruck. The Ziller river runs through the valley floor, with the Penken mountain rising to the west and Ahorn to the south. Surrounding communities of Hippach, Schwendau, Finkenberg and Tux form part of the extended ski area.
The nearest major town, Jenbach, sits 31 kilometres north at the junction of the Zillertal with the main Inn valley and serves as the rail gateway to the region. Innsbruck, with its historic old town and twice-hosted Winter Olympics legacy, lies an hour's drive northwest. The Hintertux Glacier terminus sits 20 kilometres further up the Tuxertal side valley from Mayrhofen. Zell am Ziller, the valley's main commercial centre, lies 10 kilometres north and offers connections to the Zillertal Arena ski area.
Road access follows the B169 Zillertal main road from the A12 Inntal autobahn exit near Wiesing. The drive from Innsbruck takes 58 minutes in normal conditions, following the motorway east before turning south into the valley at Jenbach. From Munich, the 190-kilometre journey takes around two hours via the A8 and A12 motorways through Kufstein. Salzburg lies 175 kilometres northeast with a drive time of approximately two hours. No mountain passes are involved in reaching the valley floor.
Innsbruck Airport sits 70-74 kilometres away with transfers taking 60-90 minutes depending on traffic and conditions. Munich Airport lies 190-200 kilometres distant, with transfers of around two hours. Salzburg Airport at 170 kilometres offers another option with 2.5-hour transfer times. Rail travellers take Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) mainline services to Jenbach, then connect to the narrow-gauge Zillertalbahn for the scenic 32-kilometre journey terminating at Mayrhofen station in the village centre. The Zillertalbahn ride takes approximately 55 minutes with stops at valley ski areas including Zell am Ziller and Fügen.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Mayrhofen, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Mayrhofen's ski season?
Mayrhofen's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from December 4 through April 11. That window is roughly 128 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Austria, Europe often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Mayrhofen have?
Mayrhofen lists about 142 km of piste of marked terrain spread across 56 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Mayrhofen?
Trail grading at Mayrhofen breaks down roughly as 31% beginner, 46% intermediate, 15% advanced, 8% expert. With a strong beginner share, Mayrhofen suits families and first-time visitors who want forgiving warm-up terrain before exploring further upslope.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical metres. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Mayrhofen have?
Mayrhofen operates 58 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 18 t-bars, 13 surface lifts, 11 6-person chairs, 7 gondolas, 4 8-person chairs, 3 quad chairs, and 2 aerial trams.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Mayrhofen?
Base elevation at Mayrhofen is about 630 m (2,067 ft), with the summit around 2,500 m (8,202 ft), giving roughly 1,870 m (6,135 ft) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Mayrhofen get each season?
Mayrhofen averages about 524 cm (206 inches) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Mayrhofen accept the Zillertal Superskipass?
Mayrhofen is affiliated with the Zillertal Superskipass. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Zillertal Superskipass, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Mayrhofen lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans €26 to €62, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes, season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Mayrhofen before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 6 live mountain webcams, an interactive live trail map and a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Mayrhofen so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Mayrhofen have a trail map?
Yes. A live interactive map embeds current lift and run status when the provider supplies it, which is useful on-morning for seeing what is actually spinning. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Mayrhofen. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Mayrhofen located?
Mayrhofen sits in Austria, Europe. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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