Snowreporter Jolanda

Live from the snow: your daily dose of Zillertal

Zillertal Arena – spacious, diverse and full of experiences

Greetings from the Zillertal! Today we are exploring the largest contiguous ski area in the region: the Zillertal Arena. From Zell am Ziller via Gerlos and Königsleiten to Hochkrimml, this ski area offers 150 kilometres of pistes and extends over two federal states – Tyrol and Salzburg. If you are looking for variety, you are guaranteed to find it here: wide carving pistes, challenging descents, snow parks and numerous adventure stations ensure a perfect day's skiing.

So, let's go!

Early start to fun – Good Morning Skiing

Today I'm starting the day extra early – because I'm going Good Morning Skiing! Even before most skiers have laced up their ski boots, we're already standing at the Karspitzbahn. At 6:55 a.m. we're going up, and that means: perfect slopes, absolute silence and a sunrise that makes every effort worth it.

First, we tackle the Sport descent, which is simply fantastic at this time of day – grippy snow, hardly a soul in sight and a descent that is really fun. Then we continue to Kreuzwiese (piste no. 17). At 7:45 am, the piste is practically ours alone, and we enjoy every turn.

After these magnificent first descents, there is only one logical consequence: breakfast! For me, that makes the entire Good Morning Skiing experience complete.

The Wiesenalm right at the middle station in Zell am Ziller is the perfect place for a fortifying break. A hearty breakfast on the sun terrace with a view of the valley and the surrounding mountains – there's no better way to start a day of skiing.

Tip: Every Sunday and Thursday in March, you can take selected lifts throughout the ski area from 6:55 am. You can find more information here.

A ski area that connects – from Zell am Ziller to Hochkrimml

Now fortified, we are ready to go. We still have a lot to do today, because we are skiing all the way to Hochkrimml in the state of Salzburg.

Tip: If you want to go directly to the practice slope, it's best to take the Rosenalmbahn. If, on the other hand, you want to start your downhill fun right away, take the Karspitzbahn II – from there you can go directly to the Sportabfahrt or piste no. 14, which is perfect for fast turns with its wide, sporty slopes.

What makes the Zillertal Arena so special? Here you can simply ski, ski, ski! Without major interruptions, you can ski from one place to the next, with the view of the surrounding peaks accompanying you all the way.

On the way to the higher terrain in the direction of Gerlos, fantastically wide slopes await you, which are perfect for carving. Whether you are looking for a leisurely turn or sporty speed – everyone gets their money's worth here. The new connecting lifts ‘Wilde Krimml’ and ‘Teufeltalbahn’ are also really cool.

This is the comfortable way to get to Königsleiten and Hochkrimml. The high altitude ensures particularly snow-sure conditions here.

Arena Champions Challenge – On the hunt for the perfect Skimovie

There are 14 different stations throughout the ski area where you can put your skills to the test – at the Speed Check, on the SkiMovie course or at the photo points. Who is the fastest? Who has the best skiing style? Find out here!

The best thing about it? At the end of the day, you get your personal Champions Movie to download – including all the highlights of your day's skiing! This way, you will have a really cool souvenir of your day of skiing in the Zillertal Arena.

But a real highlight for me was the photo point at the Stuanmandlbahn in Gerlos. In addition to a perfect photo spot with a fantastic panorama, you can also collect a stamp for your challenge here. So, scan your ski pass, strike a pose, grin broadly and take your well-deserved souvenir photo with you!

Pure adrenaline: the snow parks in the Zillertal Arena

On our day of skiing in the Zillertal Arena, we also pass other adventurous locations. The Zillertal Arena offers several snow parks that have something for all skill levels. The Gerlos Snowpark, with its various lines, kickers and rails, is the absolute highlight for those who want to go big.

But there is plenty of action to be had elsewhere, too: the fun parks at Kreuzwiese and in Hochkrimml offer perfect conditions for learning your first tricks and practising advanced moves. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this is the place for everyone to hone their skills!

Tip: If you want to work on your freestyle skills with the pros or are new to the sport, you should definitely visit the Shred School. Every Tuesday, experienced pros coach here for free and give valuable tips for the first tricks or for fine-tuning your technique.

Off-piste: Snowtubing & sledding in Gerlosstein

I definitely don't want to withhold from you what I experienced off-piste during my time as a snow reporter – because that was at least as much fun as skiing itself!

If you fancy an extra portion of action, you shouldn't miss out on snow tubing in Gerlosstein. Inflatable tyres are used to race down the prepared tracks – great fun for young and old!

For those who prefer the classic way of sledding down the mountain, there is the natural toboggan run in Gerlosstein. The 7-kilometre-long run winds its way through the snow-covered landscape – and it is not only open during the day, but is also the perfect adventure for the evening, as the route is illuminated until 1 am!

My conclusion: diverse, exciting and full of highlights that I will remember for a long time.

At the end of the tour, I pause for a moment and look back – literally. At the beginning of the day, we were standing in front of the Durlaβboden reservoir, now we are behind it, so to speak. A ski resort that is so extensive that you can get a completely new perspective on mountains and valleys in just one day – that's what makes the Zillertal Arena so special!

The Zillertal Arena is a ski resort that has it all: long descents, varied snow parks, action-packed experiences and breathtaking views. Whether you're a skier, snowboarder or freestyler – there's something for everyone here.

But there is also plenty to discover away from the slopes. Whether you are into snow tubing, sledding or just enjoying the beautiful winter landscape, you won't have time to get bored.

I hope you had as much fun on this tour as I did! See you next time – and who knows, maybe we'll meet on the next day of skiing in the Zillertal Arena!

Your Jolanda