 Poster: A snowHead
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I am skiing in Mayrhofen for the first time (having skied extensively in France and wondered if anyone would be able to give me a few tips to get the most out of the resort and ski area.
Also, what is the best/easiest way to collect ski pass? We are arriving Saturday afternoon and wanted to avoid unnecessary queues. Any ski/boot hire shops are also appreciated.
Thanks all!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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The Penken and Ahorn lifts are in town. Assuming you arrive in town before the lift office shuts I would just wander up and buy your lift pass on Saturday afternoon. Some Austrian ski areas allow you to use your lift pass bought for the following day from 3pm the day before. If you're organised you might be able to sneak in an hour or so on Saturday afternoon (probably better to ski Ahorn).
Disclaimer! I've not actually skied Mayrhofen but I have been to the town when staying in the area to ski on the glacier at Hintertux - probably not worth a trip up to the glacier from Mayrhofen unless conditions are poor elsewhere.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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In Austria you can frequently buy your pass from the hotel reception (worth checking with your hotel). Otherwise, as @hammerite says, just pop down to either of the main gondola stations. Penken is in the town centre just off the high street and Ahorn is a 5-10 minutes walk away from there. Both have bars just outside, making the walk all the more worthwhile.
You might find the runs rather on the short side compared to what you get in the French mega-resorts, but there's plenty of variety. The top of the Ahorn is basically a big beginners area (similar to french greens), but the run down to town is rather challenging (a dark red if you like). It's also the only piste back to town.
The Penken area is far larger and also far more varied. From easy blues (20 & 14 from memory) to the Harakiri (allegedly the steepest piste in Austria).
Also, the 6 day pass is a full Zillertal area pass (you can't buy a Mayrhofen only weekly pass), so that entitles you to all the other resorts in the valley (Zell, Hochfugen, Hintertux, etc.). The first two are linked by train and Hintertux by navette. Not sure if the train is also free with the pass or you have to pay extra.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Jprior1, my only Christmas experience of Mayrhofen was 1990, so not entirely up to date. My abiding memory was that one evening there is a floodlit ski jumping competition. Gluhvine, bangers and all good things Austrian. Ask at the tourist information office. If you have snow it will be wonderful.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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What makes the run down from ahorn challenging? Is it the gradient or is it just very narrow?
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Steep in places and fairly long but is not particularly challenging for an intermediate or above, was rated as red in the past and is now black at the bottom.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| kb36 wrote: |
| What makes the run down from ahorn challenging? Is it the gradient or is it just very narrow? |
Challenging relative to the rest of the Ahorn. It's also low and shaded, so it can be icy or just generally a bit ropey in the steep bottom section. But not a proper black run.
As mentioned above, more like a hardish red, but probably graded black at the bottom to encourage the beginners to take the cable car down.
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The train is free with your lift pass
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@kb36, my 7 year old skied it last year. Not difficult but can be icy on the last section which is also a bit steep. It’s a lovely run in my view. Nice bar the bottom.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Jprior1, as above. Try to do a day away at Kaltenbach and another at Zell (or if you have a car maybe go to Gerlos and ski from there).
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Ahorn was regraded back to black after a little girl crashed into a tree and died a few years ago.
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You know it makes sense.
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Train is free but only if you have your ski's with you!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Mayrhofen is a great town and the nightlife is fun - go to the ski jumping if it's on, great atmosphere full,of locals. I much prefer the skiing at Kaltenbach to Mayrhofen. If you get the train there it's a few minutes of walking from the train to the gondola. Some awesome huts for lunch/drinks - try the Wedel or the Kristallhutte for great food and cool house music.
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