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12 reasons why families will love Austria’s Mayrhofen Ski Resort

Mayrhofen ski resort, nestled in Austria’s Zillertal Alps, is famous for legendary après-ski, a good music scene and the invigorating Hara Kiri, one of the steepest runs in Europe. A favourite with British skiers and snowboarders, Mayrhofen offers over 100km of pistes, plus access to the Hintertux glacier for all-year-round skiing. A variety of blue and red runs and ample fun activities for the kids make Mayrhofen the ideal place for a family getaway. Here are 12 reasons why you shouldn’t miss it this winter.

1. Fantastic kids’ discounts

Children under five ski totally free when accompanied by an adult, and children under 14 get a substantial discount. Even “young skiers” get a 20% discount. This means more savings to spend on hot chocolate around the fire for those icy fingers!

Ski school in Mayrhofen

2. Lots of choice means lots of practice

An extensive variety of blue and red slopes in the Ahorn means your children can keep exploring the mountain’s different and exciting terrain. These slopes aren’t too steep, allowing kids to confidently practice their newly acquired skills.

A blue piste in the Ahorn

3. The Funslope: 650 metres of pure fun!

It’s Mario Kart in real life! Prepare your kids for the Olympics with this one-of-a-kind piste on the Ahorn plateau that combines waves, high fives and low fives, bowls and steep turns. Your kid will feel like a pro on this approachable course. Find the Funslope near the beginners’ lift and the Filzenalmlift, safely roped off from the rest of the mountain so skiers can feel completely comfortable.

Pure fun on the Funslope

4. Seven ski schools to choose from means you can select the very best for your family.

You will have no trouble finding top-quality English-speaking instructors to make sure the little ones get off on the right foot. For a really special day, let your youngest tots try out the nursery at SMT Skischool, which offers a communal lunch followed by magic tricks and more. Your children won’t even notice you were gone! Older kids can learn new techniques from qualified ski and snowboard instructors and then earn medals in the weekly ski races.

Kids learning to ski in Mayrhofen

5. Unforgettable nights at the White Lounge Igloo Hotel

Discover how the Eskimos lived! Knowledgeable and friendly igloo guides will tell you all you need to know to stay warm at an altitude of 2000 metres. After your tasty fondue dinner, be sure to check out the beautiful snow sculptures inside the igloos or roast some marshmallows over a crackling bonfire before snuggling into a cosy sleeping bag. In the morning, pick up your toasty warm ski boots and seize the opportunity to be one of the first on the freshly-groomed ski slopes.

White Lounge Igloo Hotel

6. Grooming tomorrow’s freestylers in the Vans-Penken Park

Freestyling is not just for grown-ups anymore! Children can also try their hand at ski or snowboard freestyling in the kids’ area of the Vans-Penken Park, whose six separate areas, ranging from the Beginner’s Area to the Advanced Jib Area, boast everything from easy boxes to 4-metre jumps.

Vans-Penken Park

7. Your fledgling skiers are in good hands

With tickets at under ‎£2, the Kinderland Horberg is the ideal place to learn how to ski. This beginner’s paradise is equipped with a 69-metre-long magic carpet and a T-lift to boot, plus two snow cannons that ensure the conditions are always perfect. Ski right into the night, or take a break and reward yourself with an adrenaline-pumping sledge ride if your legs are starting to feel the burn!

Kids at the ski school in Mayrhofen

8. Combine history and family fun on the Zillertalbahn

Experience a piece of railroad history with this trip on one of the most famous and oldest narrow-gauge gondolas in the world. In the special children’s carriage on the steam train of the Zillertalbahn, children can play and paint while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Zillertal valley in the Kuschel corner.

Zillertalbahn

9. Not all the water in Mayrhofen is frozen

Let your skiing muscles recover with a soak in the Mayrhofen adventure pool, where the 101-metre-long giant slide and the Crazy River adventure pool will keep the adrenaline pumping. If you’re looking for a slower pace, the water mushrooms and blubber in the non-swimmer area guarantee lots of laughs. Children up to 6 years are free.

Crazy River adventure pool

10. A holiday should be a holiday for parents too!

Thanks to the caretakers and babysitters in Wuppy's Kinderland, mom and dad can also sneak in a little time for themselves. Children from 3 months to 5 years can enjoy making crafts or going for a walk through the snowy forest on nice days. They will even get snowball fighting out of their system so you can collect them later for a totally relaxing afternoon.

SMT Skischool

11. Unbeatable views from the 3S Penkenbahn cable car

The new 3S Penkenbahn cable car opened in December 2015, linking Mayrhofen’s city centre to the ski slopes. Easy and convenient, the cable car has a dedicated access for ski schools, so parents can breathe easy knowing their children are safe and happy.

View from the 3S Penkenbahn cable car

12. It’s always a white Christmas in Mayrhofen!

Thanks to its connection with the Hintertux Glacier, rest assured you will always find Mayrhofen white and sparkling. A family ski holiday to Mayrhofen ski resort will always be a good time!

White Christmas feeling in Mayrhofen

What are you waiting for? Book your holiday in Mayrhofen now!

Mayrhofen ski resort, nestled in Austria’s Zillertal Alps, is famous for legendary après-ski, a good music scene and the invigorating Hara Kiri, one of the steepest runs in Europe. A favourite with British skiers and snowboarders, Mayrhofen offers over 100km of pistes, plus access to the Hintertux glacier for all-year-round skiing. A variety of blue and red runs and ample fun activities for the kids make Mayrhofen the ideal place for a family getaway. Here are 12 reasons why you shouldn’t miss it this winter.

1. Fantastic kids’ discounts

Children under five ski totally free when accompanied by an adult, and children under 14 get a substantial discount. Even “young skiers” get a 20% discount. This means more savings to spend on hot chocolate around the fire for those icy fingers!

Ski school in Mayrhofen

2. Lots of choice means lots of practice

An extensive variety of blue and red slopes in the Ahorn means your children can keep exploring the mountain’s different and exciting terrain. These slopes aren’t too steep, allowing kids to confidently practice their newly acquired skills.

A blue piste in the Ahorn

3. The Funslope: 650 metres of pure fun!

It’s Mario Kart in real life! Prepare your kids for the Olympics with this one-of-a-kind piste on the Ahorn plateau that combines waves, high fives and low fives, bowls and steep turns. Your kid will feel like a pro on this approachable course. Find the Funslope near the beginners’ lift and the Filzenalmlift, safely roped off from the rest of the mountain so skiers can feel completely comfortable.

Pure fun on the Funslope

4. Seven ski schools to choose from means you can select the very best for your family.

You will have no trouble finding top-quality English-speaking instructors to make sure the little ones get off on the right foot. For a really special day, let your youngest tots try out the nursery at SMT Skischool, which offers a communal lunch followed by magic tricks and more. Your children won’t even notice you were gone! Older kids can learn new techniques from qualified ski and snowboard instructors and then earn medals in the weekly ski races.

Kids learning to ski in Mayrhofen

5. Unforgettable nights at the White Lounge Igloo Hotel

Discover how the Eskimos lived! Knowledgeable and friendly igloo guides will tell you all you need to know to stay warm at an altitude of 2000 metres. After your tasty fondue dinner, be sure to check out the beautiful snow sculptures inside the igloos or roast some marshmallows over a crackling bonfire before snuggling into a cosy sleeping bag. In the morning, pick up your toasty warm ski boots and seize the opportunity to be one of the first on the freshly-groomed ski slopes.

White Lounge Igloo Hotel

6. Grooming tomorrow’s freestylers in the Vans-Penken Park

Freestyling is not just for grown-ups anymore! Children can also try their hand at ski or snowboard freestyling in the kids’ area of the Vans-Penken Park, whose six separate areas, ranging from the Beginner’s Area to the Advanced Jib Area, boast everything from easy boxes to 4-metre jumps.

Vans-Penken Park

7. Your fledgling skiers are in good hands

With tickets at under ‎£2, the Kinderland Horberg is the ideal place to learn how to ski. This beginner’s paradise is equipped with a 69-metre-long magic carpet and a T-lift to boot, plus two snow cannons that ensure the conditions are always perfect. Ski right into the night, or take a break and reward yourself with an adrenaline-pumping sledge ride if your legs are starting to feel the burn!

Kids at the ski school in Mayrhofen

8. Combine history and family fun on the Zillertalbahn

Experience a piece of railroad history with this trip on one of the most famous and oldest narrow-gauge gondolas in the world. In the special children’s carriage on the steam train of the Zillertalbahn, children can play and paint while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the Zillertal valley in the Kuschel corner.

Zillertalbahn

9. Not all the water in Mayrhofen is frozen

Let your skiing muscles recover with a soak in the Mayrhofen adventure pool, where the 101-metre-long giant slide and the Crazy River adventure pool will keep the adrenaline pumping. If you’re looking for a slower pace, the water mushrooms and blubber in the non-swimmer area guarantee lots of laughs. Children up to 6 years are free.

Crazy River adventure pool

10. A holiday should be a holiday for parents too!

Thanks to the caretakers and babysitters in Wuppy's Kinderland, mom and dad can also sneak in a little time for themselves. Children from 3 months to 5 years can enjoy making crafts or going for a walk through the snowy forest on nice days. They will even get snowball fighting out of their system so you can collect them later for a totally relaxing afternoon.

SMT Skischool

11. Unbeatable views from the 3S Penkenbahn cable car

The new 3S Penkenbahn cable car opened in December 2015, linking Mayrhofen’s city centre to the ski slopes. Easy and convenient, the cable car has a dedicated access for ski schools, so parents can breathe easy knowing their children are safe and happy.

View from the 3S Penkenbahn cable car

12. It’s always a white Christmas in Mayrhofen!

Thanks to its connection with the Hintertux Glacier, rest assured you will always find Mayrhofen white and sparkling. A family ski holiday to Mayrhofen ski resort will always be a good time!

White Christmas feeling in Mayrhofen

What are you waiting for? Book your holiday in Mayrhofen now!

184 - Winter - Danielle

About Danielle

Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!