 Poster: A snowHead
|
Heading to Mayrhofen on 27/12 and after a bit of advice.
Are there likely to be any quieter areas or is it going to be super busy on the mountains pretty much everywhere ?
Conversely - any pinch points to avoid with bad queues?
What’s the best / easiest way to get to zillertal arena or kaltenbach ?
We are staying near the station in Mayrhofen but some of our party are storing skis at the penken base …
Hintertux is a bus ride but is it better to go straight from penken or ski through to lanersbach and catch a bus there ?
What’s the crack on NYE? We have a fancy dinner at the hotel but wondered if we should go out later or do people tend to spill out onto the streets with drinks / fireworks ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Kaltenbach get the train and then shortish walk to the lift. Zillertal is the same train then shortish bus to the lift.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@sheffskibod, the quietest area will be Gerlosstein. It's a small area with only 7 runs and super old lifts, but it's cool, I like it there.
If you head over towards Eggalm in the main Mayrhofen area that'll be quiter, also, towards the Möslbahn on the opposite side of the map.
Trains as mentioned to get to zell and kaltenbach, they run pretty much every half hour throughout the day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@8611, here's the run I think that you're thinking of in Kaltenbach
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| swskier wrote: |
@sheffskibod, the quietest area will be Gerlosstein. It's a small area with only 7 runs and super old lifts, but it's cool, I like it there.
If you head over towards Eggalm in the main Mayrhofen area that'll be quiter, also, towards the Möslbahn on the opposite side of the map.
Trains as mentioned to get to zell and kaltenbach, they run pretty much every half hour throughout the day. |
Much appreciated !
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@sheffskibod, if you and your group are planning on exploring the valley using the train then I wouldn't store skis at penken as the train station would be a 15 mins ish walk away, or mess about with a bus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| slider24 wrote: |
| @sheffskibod, if you and your group are planning on exploring the valley using the train then I wouldn't store skis at penken as the train station would be a 15 mins ish walk away, or mess about with a bus. |
It has crossed my mind (and I might still change it!) but I would guess we will spend 4 days reasonably local so might keep locker anyway and bring skis to hotel bootroom if we are definitely planning a day trip next morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@swskier, looks like it, couple of nice hutte above Kaltenbach
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Looks mainly warm for next week.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@Matrix, Yes, it's beautiful blue skies, not a cloud in the sky, but it's not winter!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here is a quick trip report for our last minute short Sunday to Thursday break.
It was the first time arriving and departing from different airports and using the train as opposed to hire car or transfer.
We arrived at Innsbruck on Sunday morning about 10, transfer through the airport was uneventful. We headed directly to the bust stop where the bus to the centre was waiting, I'd forgotten that I'd read that you needed a ticket before getting on the bus. The driver reminded us and pointed to the ticket machine, as soon as we stepped off he closed the door and drove off.
Since the Sunday service is only every 30 mins we opted for a taxi that cost 17.5 Euro. Once in the taxi I purchased train tickets for the next train to jenbach/mayrhofen.
At the train station we saw there was an earlier train to Jenbach so jumped on it. That was a mistake, it was a slow train that stopped everywhere on the way and arrived at Jenbach after the train I'd booked. So don't repeat that mistake.
The connection up to Mayrhofen was straight forward.
On both trains there was plenty of space for the luggage and the carriages were quite.
We booked the Huber Boutique Hotel and were upgraded into their best room, the service, friendliness and food were the best we have ever had in Mayrhofen.
Sunday afternoon was spent in Mikes Sports Bar watching the final GP of the year then had a walk up to the Advent festival in the Forrest.
Kim wasn't skiing due to her ACL reconstruction surgery in June so I was free to board on my own in the mornings. The snow conditions were good on the south facing slopes and hard on the north. Overall I'd say extremely good for this time of the year. Being on my own I was covering 3x the distance of a normal trip, I was really feeling it on my legs, but all good.
Kim came up the hill at about 1 each day, our plan was to meet for lunch at the Top of the combi on day one, Schneekarhutte day two and Grilhofalm Pizza place at the fun park on day three. In the end we ditched the Grilhofalm on day 3 as it doesn't get any sunshine at this time of the year.
In general the slopes were quite in the morning on all three days and virtually deserted in the afternoons. The lift operators also seemed to be fairly relaxed about letting Kim on the lifts without skis, could have been because it was so quiet or also because she had a full price ski pass as opposed to a walker pass?
The trip back to Munich was uneventful but the train from Jenbach to Munich was very busy, I was glad I'd booked our seats and had to kick someone else out of them. The train carriage is a pita as it has a set of stairs at each end and also had limited storage for a heavy board bag.
Overall a fantastic last minute trip. Cost wise it wasn't that much different to going for a week as we went upmarket in the hotel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| JimboS wrote: |
I'd forgotten that I'd read that you needed a ticket before getting on the bus. The driver reminded us and pointed to the ticket machine, as soon as we stepped off he closed the door and drove off.
|
Austrian efficiency!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Coming down with my partner on Saturday. Everything seems a bit grim unfortunately. But where would be best piste skiing in the zillertal at the moment? Anyone there now and able to provide some beta?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@Legendarry, The pistes in Mayrhofen so far this week are ok, a bit icy in the morning and cut up after lunch but there are very few skiers so it’s holding up well. There are several runs closed but its normal for pre christmas. Concerning is that there is no snow forecast and from the weekend it will be very busy. I always feel Zell an Ziller or Hintertux are best at busy times with Eggalm also decent (but not many pistes open yet).
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@Legendarry, the coverage on piste is pretty good (or it was on the weekend when I last skied) but you're skiing on just artificial snow at this point.
Anywhere away from the Penken area will be quieter. Getting the 0730 lift in Kaltenbach gives you a couple of hours of quiet skiing before the coaches all arrive from Munich. Ultimately you're here for Christmas so it's going to be a bit busy everywhere, but not as busy as if you'd come a week later!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I am in Mayrhofen this and was constantly checking weather forecast and looking at webcams
Despite no snow really since dump at end of Nov snow coverage is still not too bad.
North side of the bowl pretty skatey as was the Gerent side in the afternoon, much better in the mornings. Rastkogel, Eggalm was skiing nicely. Zell was skiing nicely too, was intending to get across to Gerlos but link was closed due to wind. Kaltenbach today a bit mixed, better higher up and was a bit of fresh snow. Fugen/Hoch Fugen normally quieter.
Zell can get the local bus or indeed combination of train and bus . Most suns in the area as a whole open.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Guyrhofen, you didn't happen to be skiing Spieljoch on Saturday afternoon? I saw someone with what looked a big snowheads sticker on the front of their helmet up there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I took an extended lunch today and nipped up Spieljoch. In total it was about 25 minutes from my desk, walking to the lift and being clipped in and away skiing. Conditions are scraped artificial snow. The run back down to the valley quite quickly becomes spring like conditions but was actually really fun to ski.
We really could do with some fresh snow, but there's nothing in the forecast before Christmas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| swskier wrote: |
| @Guyrhofen, you didn't happen to be skiing Spieljoch on Saturday afternoon? I saw someone with what looked a big snowheads sticker on the front of their helmet up there. |
Not me, arrived Saturday but first day skiing was Sunday 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hintertux pistes were still decent today (given lack of recent snowfall). Lots of skiers about, but not busy. Stayed high for most of the day - but ski back down was still fun.
Last time I was here was in May about 6 years ago. Cool mountain!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Just returned from a week in the valley. Overall pistes, although man made snow, were in very good condition. Best of the lot was the Zillertal Arena (although we didn’t make it to Hintertux this time) with excellent pistes from Zell to Konigsleiten. At Krimml is got very icy and looking down the valley towards Zell Am Ziller the snow line looked lower there.
Problem now is the number of people at Mayrhofen (pistes are fine but so busy) so head to our early doors and go high over towards Eggalm or get a taxi to Zell or Hintertux.
Chatting with friends elsewhere in Austria I think the Zillertal resorts have done an amazing job in comparison. Although all that snow making means the on mountain reservoirs are now almost empty so hope it’s not needed for snow cannons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
| so head to our early doors and go high over towards Eggalm or get a taxi to Zell or Hintertux |
Isn't the bus up to Eggalm & Hintertux a pretty decent service 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Nice Hintertux pic @Haggis_Trap 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Most of my family are here for a few days pre Christmas, including my nephew who I'm teaching. We skied Hochfügen yesterday and Spieljoch today. Coverage on piste is fine but its virtually entirely artificial. Really could do with a decent top up, its been weeks since any significant snowfall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Similar pic from 2017, theres been a lot of ice loss since then. I've got pics going back to the mid 90s, will dig out some of these old ones some time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@mountainaddict, yes bus is best to Tux. I find the train a PITA to Zell so prefer a taxi.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Hintertux glacier, for the first time in its history, closed for the entire month of August 2025.
The iceloss this decade has been jawdropping.
Zermatt (for now) is the only yearround skiable glacier left on planet Earth.
Last one standing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Haggis_Trap, the last snow fall of any significance was the weekend of 22/23 November while I was in the UK.
Nothing in the forecast before the end of this year either.
The snowcannons on the valley run in Fügen were on just now as I walked over to the bus stop to head up to Hochfügen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Haggis_Trap, is the black run under the chair in your picture open yet?
Gerlos is stuffed full of Dutch, if you drive around there you'll see nothing but yellow number plates. It just seems to be where they all head to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| swskier wrote: |
| @Haggis_Trap, is the black run under the chair in your picture open yet? |
We skied that on way back this afternoon!
Brilliant : Still grippy snow so perhaps recently opened?
The "wilde krimml" run over to Gerlos was shut. Downloaded on gondola (didn't want to take kids down a closed piste / but it looked totally skiable).
| swskier wrote: |
| [Gerlos is stuffed full of Dutch, if you drive around there you'll see nothing but yellow number plates. It just seems to be where they all head to. |
Dutchies seem to be everywhere in Zillertal arena!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Mayerhofen today.
Not so many people, and even less visibility
Finally felt like midwinter. Snowing lightly all afternoon. Fresh snow made a difference to surface conditions even if accumulations insignificant. Runs over to Eggalm were our favourites (slightly better vis).
Merry "Zillertal" Xmas all!
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Thu 25-12-25 15:36; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hochzillertal and Hochfügen for me. Cannons blasting away while skiing, and lightly snowing as well.
A light dusting of snow down in the village of Fügen too makes for a much more christmassy feeling.
A first today for me skiing the valley run all the way down to Kaltenbach, usually I've only skied as far as the mid station. So now, in our 3rd winter I've finally skied all the valley runs!
Longer range forecast is suggesting a turn in weather at the end of next week and some snow to come, fingers crossed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Haggis_Trap, the best area in the valley. Wonderful long runs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Matrix wrote: |
| @Haggis_Trap, the best area in the valley. Wonderful long runs. |
Agree.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A slow morning for us with Christmas but we skied Kaltenbach and Hochfügen today. There was a great cloud inversion
We checked out the Kashütte for the first time. It's in a lovely setting. The hut is tiny only has about 5 tables, but the umbrella bar has plenty more space, and lots of tables on the decking too. A nice spot.
A lovely way to spend Christmas. Hope everyone had a good one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
