159 km
620 m - 2500 m
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Test report Mayrhofen/Ahorn, Penken, Rastkogel, Eggalm
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Mayrhofen/Ahorn, Penken, Rastkogel, Eggalm
Total result: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Test Mayrhofen/Ahorn, Penken, Rastkogel, Eggalm
The review Mayrhofen/Ahorn, Penken, Rastkogel, Eggalm was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Mayrhofen/Ahorn, Penken, Rastkogel, Eggalm
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Skiing fans can ski from Mayrhofen over Penken and the Rastkogel all the way to the Eggalm in the Tux Valley. The ski resort is one of the largest in the Zillertal.
Runs/slopes
Additional runs
10 km Marked ski routes
Altitude difference
1880 m (Valley 620 m - Mountain 2500 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
41
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 6 ← 5
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 6 ← 5
The offering ranges from easy and intermediate slopes to the steepest run in Austria (Harakiri) as well as many highlights such as the free racing and speed measurement courses.
Runs/slopes
Total 159 km
Easy
45 km
(28 %)Intermediate
94 km
(59 %)Difficult
20 km
(13 %)
Additional runs
Marked ski routes
10 km
Longest run
10 km
Run location
above tree line, under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Speed measurement course offered
- Public race course with time measurement
- Skiline
Gondola lifts bring skiers and snowboarders up to the ski resort. Up in the resort, the most modern chair lifts (most with bubbles) are waiting to quickly transport the guests. During the main season, there can be waiting times in the evening at the Penken lift while guests are brought back down to Mayrhofen. Many guests like to stay a bit longer at the Après-Ski bars at the mountain station so the crowd is well-distributed. The Penken combi lift provides an innovative world novelty with 2 stations: a 10 person gondola and an 8 person chair lift on one cable with separate stations - so guests can choose between a quick entry with attached sports equipment or a comfortable ascent with the gondola.
Number of ski lifts
41
Total capacity
75276 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
43.4 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
2
6
1
17
12
3
Additional
11
All of the main runs have snow-making capabilities. The majority of the ski resort is located at over 1600m.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
158 Snow canons
95 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is often open.
Season 2009/2010
126 Days open
120 Days when valley run open
120 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
143 Days open
137 Days when valley run open
137 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is very good.
In the afternoon, it can happen that the slopes get a bit tracked from the many skiers.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Photos
Further evaluation criteria
The ski resort is nearly 30 km from the Inntal expressway. Day guests and people traveling by car should choose the Horberg lift as an entry point. People staying the night should park in their particular villages, such as at the Penken lift in Mayrhofen. When the rooms change on Saturdays, there can be traffic jams in the Zillertal.
Access via A12 Inntal-Autobahn, Exit Achensee-Zillertal
- Horbergbahn (Schwendau), Ideal entry for day visitors
Distance: 29 km · approx. 28 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: enough available, Tarred parking lot, free of charge
- Penkenbahn (Mayrhofen)
Distance: 31 km · approx. 31 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: none,
- Ahornbahn (Mayrhofen)
Distance: 32 km · approx. 33 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: usually enough available, free of charge
- Finkenberger Almbahn (Finkenberg)
Distance: 35 km · approx. 34 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
- Rastkogelbahn (Tux-Vorderlanersbach)
Distance: 42 km · approx. 42 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Parking spaces: limited amount available, free of charge
- Eggalmbahn (Tux-Lanersbach)
Distance: 43 km · approx. 43 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, Mountain road, well-developed, with significant incline
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map is clearly designed. All important points such as ski huts, information stands, bus stops and parking lots are indicated. In addition, interesting ski routes throughout the ski resort are also explained. At some points, it is difficult to tell the direction of the slopes. This can lead to confusion especially regarding connection slopes.
The trail map is clearly designed. All important points such as ski huts, information stands, bus stops and parking lots are indicated. In addition, interesting ski routes throughout the ski resort are also explained. At some points, it is difficult to tell the direction of the slopes. This can lead to confusion especially regarding connection slopes.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
There is a uniform signage system in the ski resort and in the village. A new guidance and information system (Digital Signage System) is installed at the new valley station of the Horberg lift. There are also mobile information providers - the Info Scouts - in the ski resort.
There is a uniform signage system in the ski resort and in the village. A new guidance and information system (Digital Signage System) is installed at the new valley station of the Horberg lift. There are also mobile information providers - the Info Scouts - in the ski resort.
They place a high value on cleanliness. The ski resort is very clean.
They place special filters in the snow cannons to improve the artificial snow quality and to save water.
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- Train connection
The Zillertal Railway circulates every half hour from Jenbach in the Inn Valley to Ramsau-Hippach and Mayrhofen. - Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
- There is a well-established free ski bus network in Mayrhofen and the Hippach holiday region enabling a car-free winter holiday. Scheduled buses circulate in Finkenberg, Lanersbach and Vorderlanersbach.
The staff is always friendly. You can obtain information from the lift staff, but also from the so-called info scouts who are there to answer questions and assist guests.
A mixture of cozy mountain huts and restaurants with wait service as well as self-service provide guests with food and refreshments. They are distributed throughout the ski resort.
31 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Gastronomy tip
-
Schneekarhütte
On the Horberg at the Schneekar chair lift mountain station
Cozy restaurant with many returning guests. All dishes are freshly prepared. They use mainly organic ingredients. The Schneekarhuette is known for its regional products and its exclusive wine selection and it probably has the best caramelized Kaiserschmarrn (with a glass of desert wine) in the Zillertal.
Mountain hut tip
-
Lattenalm
at the valley station of the 6 person Lattenalm chair lift (Eggalm)
Rustic and cozy snack station. Probably the most traditional hut in the entire ski resort.
-
-
The ski resort has a great Apres-Ski atmosphere at the mountain and valley stations of the Penken lift as well as at the Horberg lift and numerous umbrella bars in the ski resort. The party continues into the evening in the village of Mayrhofen. The people come here to party.
-
Icebar
directly across from the valley station of the Penken lift
The party goes on here from early afternoon until late in the evening!
-
Elchbar
at the Penken lift mountain station
-
Pilzbar
At the Penken lift mountain station
-
Yeti Bar
At the valley station of the Horberg lift
-
Brück'n Stadl Mayrhofen
between the Penken and Ahorn lift, located directly in Mayrhofen
Re-opened in December 2010. The Brueckenstadl offers the best of Après-Ski
There are many accommodations in Mayrhofen located directly at the Penken lift as well as the Ahorn lift. The Penken lift goes up from the centre of Mayrhofen. Because there is no valley run beneath the Penken lift, you must take the lift back down to the valley. If you spend the day on the Ahorn, you can ski back down to Mayrhofen or even stay the night in the White Lounge Igloo. The accommodations in Lanersbach and Vorderlanersbach are lcoated directly on the slopes.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Tips
-
White Lounge: Iglu Hotel, Iglu Bar
on the Ahorn
At night, the White Lounge becomes one of the most unique accommodation possibilities in the Alps. Stay the night in one of the 10 creatively designed igloo suites at 2000m altitude - dinner, breakfast and sauna are included!
Towns/villages
- Finkenberg
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Guest beds 2400 - Hippach
Distance to ski resort 1-2 km
Guest beds 6070 - Lanersbach (Tux)
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Guest beds 1500 - Mayrhofen
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Guest beds 8700 - Vorderlanersbach (Tux)
Distance to ski resort fewer than 0.5 km
Guest beds 1500
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Evaluation criteria for special interests
There are ski schools as well as practice lifts and magic carpets at all main mountain stations. Easy runs lead to most of the lifts.
Information for families and children
- Kid's Land/ separated area for children
- Merry-go-round
- Wave ride for children
- Adventure course
- People mover
- Children's lifts
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
- Ski kindergarten
- Ski school for children
- Child care
Special tips for children
-
Children's area at the mountain station of the Penken lift
-
Play Arena
2 levels on more than 1,200 m² in Vorderlanersbach-Tux. The kids can really play in the indoor area: climbing wall, cinema, bouncy castle, high rope garden and much more - of course with individualized childcare. Infants are also cared for.
Photos
There are good beginner's slopes in the Horberg valley as well as at the feeder lifts on the mountain. Easy runs lead to most of the lifts. Unfortunately, there is no easy valley run. There is a beginner-friendly area on the Ahorn with wide slopes that are not too steep (many blue runs).
Information for beginners
- Easy and manageable slope offering, which is easy to achieve
- Wide slopes
- Beginner's area
- Beginner's lifts in ski resort directly at the feeder lift
Ski schools on-site
Photos
Advanced skiers should not miss out on the steepest prepared slope in Austria. The "Harakiri" with its 78% downhill grade is so steep that it can only be groomed using a cable winch and a special snowcat. The long, black run on the Schneekar is also recommendable. There are many freeriding possibilities at the 8 person Horbergjoch chair lift. There are many variation possibilities.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- some mogul slopes
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 159 km
Difficult
20 km
(13 %)Additional runs
Marked ski routes
10 km
Most difficult run
-
Harakiri · Length 1.2 km · Altitude difference 376 m
Steepest slope in Austria with an 78% incline -
Schneekar run Nr. 17 · Length 2 km · Altitude difference 645 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
Mayrhofen's Vans Penken Park is one of the best and largest snowparks in Europe.
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- no runs with ascent
- the following runs are not suitable for snowboarders
Valley run to Lanersbach
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Snow parks
- Vans Penken Park Mayrhofen
One of the best funparks in the Alps. It is located at the Sun-Jet and offers something for everyone, whether for snowboarders or freestylers. Vans Penken Park offers 6 different areas that can be combined: a medium area, fun area, advanced area, pro area, kids park, halfpipe and many new obstacles (for example, the stairless stair set called the Multijib Beastbox)
Offering snow parks
- Snow park/ Fun park
- Halfpipe
- Kicker (Jump/ Ramp)
- Rails/ Slides
- Boxes
- Wallride
- Corner / Hip
- Boardercross
- Pro Line
- Medium Line
- Beginner/ Easy Line
- Chill area with music
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 54 km
When there is sufficient snow, there are up to 54 km of cross country trails in the areas surrounding Mayrhofen and Hippach. The longest trail leads over 10 km from Mayrhofen to Hollenzen.
Trail tip(s)
-
Night cross-country trail - Burgstall
Lit cross-country trail in Burgstall near the Burgstallschrofen chapel in Schwendau. Open until 10 pm by sufficient snow levels.
Length: 2.0 km ▪
Difficulty level: easy
Track: double track
Cross-country skiing style: classic, skating
fee: no
Conclusion
Modern lifts, panorama view, family friendly, free race course, Vans Penken Park
No valley run to Mayrhofen from the Penken, only ski routes to Finkenberg and Hippach
Test Report issued on 2012-02-27
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Highlights
Highlights
Hotel Sieghard
****
The small hotel with an excellent kitchen
6283 Hippach
1 km to ski resort Details »
The small hotel with an excellent kitchen
6283 Hippach
1 km to ski resort Details »
