Winter holidays can be truly diverse. For anyone who wants to experience everything, Mayrhofen in the Zillertal Valley is the perfect destination: from classic carvings through freeride and freestyle options to Austria’s steepest slope adventure; from Europe’s best snow park through to romantic nights in an igloo – for emotion-packed winter days. Visitors can also simply head out skiing in a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere or stay at cosy, rustic alpine huts.

View over the mountains of Mayrhofen, Photo: TVB Mayrhofen-Laurin Moser

This year, the start of winter in Mayrhofen will be more spectacular than ever. Just a few weeks after the season starts on December 07, 2012 on the Penken Action Mountain, the inaugural RISE&FALL contest will take place on the Ahorn – an extreme stage race on December 15, 2012 in which teams of four will compete against each other in ski mountaineering, paragliding, mountain biking and skiing or snowboarding.

This action-packed opening will mark the start of a season in which all forms of emotion are guaranteed. Emotions are a central part of winter in Mayrhofen. They turn ski holidays into perfect experiences – with heights that each guest can individually choose. Mayrhofen is a romantic, relaxed, down-to-earth location that is also stylish and ultra-sporty.

FIRST-CLASS PISTES MEET PURE ROMANCE

With 159 kilometres of piste, the Ahorn and Penken mountains fulfil all skiers’ desires. These are also met by the services offered in Mayrhofen: in the winter season 2012/13, this will in part be ensured by the new Intersport Bründl ski shop at the Ahorn cable car, Austria’s largest gondola. Guests can ride high up onto the Ahorn within minutes, change to a leisure piste with magnificent views and continue on to the White Lounge, the relaxing igloo village at a height of 2,000 metres.

First class pistes, Photo: TVB Mayrhofen-Laurin Moser

The Ahorn is known as Mayrhofen’s leisure mountain. It has highly sporty genes, which anyone who has enjoyed the magnificent valley run will understand. A stop at the Freiraum is also a must – an almost free standing architectural masterpiece with breathtaking views from the café-bistro. As is pertinent for a top ski area, Mayrhofen offers first class pistes, the best snow conditions and ultra-modern cable cars. But the location in the Zillertal Valley still has more to offer: highlights such as an overnight stay at the igloo hotel, including the spectacular opportunity to take a torchlight hike on the Ahorn. The starry night ski and the sunrise at 2,000 metres are experiences that you will not quickly forget!

THE STEEPEST SLOPE ADVENTURE AND THE BEST SNOW PARK

Mayrhofen’s true diversity becomes clear when you move from the Ahorn to the Penken. The Penken cable car sets off from the centre of the valley. An alternative option is the Horberg cable car with the new, highly impressive and customer-friendly valley station. This is just one of many improvements to the quality offered by the ski area. Guests can travel up the Penken using the innovative Penken chair lift and cable car in one.

Powdersnow and lots of fun, Photo: TVB Mayrhofen-Laurin Moser

As fabulous as these are other great reasons for visiting the Penken include the Vans Penken Park, which was named Europe’s best snow park in 2010 and offers guests the opportunity to test their skills on boxes and kickers. Whether a beginner or a pro – the six areas with different levels of difficulty offer great pleasure for everyone. The Kids’ Park also offers a parkour area on flatter terrain with child-friendly obstacles.
Of course, the Penken is also a great place for normal skiing. But another Mayrhofen attraction is far from normal: the Harakiri is Austria’s steepest slope adventure and has offered an absolute cult experience for years. The 78 percent gradient challenges guests to take it on. In response, the lift at the bottom is filled with beaming faces and commemorative photos are taken every Friday. True fans treat themselves to an ‘I survived Harakiri’ T-shirt and join the Harakiri community.

JOURNEYS OF DISCOVERY ON SKIS: FAMILY, BEGINNER AND ALTITUDE-JUNKIE TOURS

The best way of discovering the many highlights that Mayrhofen has to offer, including several insider tips, is to take a tour of the ski area. The family tour, which sets off from the Ahorn cable car summit station, is highly relaxed. Even the beginners’ tour only covers the easier pistes. On the other hand, the XXL tour of the Horberg, Penken, Rastkogel and Eggalm is far more demanding – a fully-fledged skiing safari on mainly red pistes.

Beautiful panoramic views of Mayrhofen, Photo: TVB Mayrhofen-Laurin Moser

Anyone who really wants to go wild can join the altitude-junkie tour with a total descent of more than 13,000 metres on red and black runs. Participants all receive a certificate. If this is still not enough, the most daring of guests can also take on the Fun & Action Tour, which includes all race runs, the Harakiri and the Vans Penken Park. These tours are also part of the weekly programme, which provides skiers and snowboarders with a stress-free way of experiencing all of the ski area’s attractions.

Mayrhofen-Hippach
www.mayrhofen.at
31.12.2012