Snowreporter Jolanda

Live from the snow: your daily dose of Zillertal

Snow reporter Jolanda is back! This time in the Mountopolis ski resort, the adventure world of the Mayrhofner Bergbahnen in Mayrhofen.

Hello, winter sports fans! I hope you have your skis and boards ready and your sun cream to hand, because today we are starting with our first stop on our Zillertal tour: Mountopolis, the adventure world of the Mayrhofner Bergbahnen in Mayrhofen!

Start the day: Take the Penkenbahn to the top

Right in the centre of Mayrhofen, the Penkenbahn will take you to the top.

Tip: If you want to travel by public transport, you have the following options: Take the Zillertalbahn, which runs from Jenbach to Mayrhofen every half hour; the journey takes about 50 minutes.Alternatively, the 8330 bus will take you directly from Jenbach to Mayrhofen. During the winter season (06.12.2024 to 21.04.2025), you can use the Zillertalbahn from Jenbach for free with the digital guest card. Youcan find the current ski bus schedule here.

During the journey, I enjoy the view of the mountains and can hardly wait to take on the first descent of the day.

Once you arrive at the top, you quickly realise that this ski resort is huge.

For me, Mayrhofen is clearly one of the places to be when it comes to varied days of skiing and pure mountain feeling. No matter whether you are a beginner or want to take on the black slopes, here everyone can plan their day as they please.

Warm up first: slope no. 25/26

I love to start on slopes no. 25 and 26 – a wide slope that offers magnificent views of the Zillertal mountain panorama. Perfect for starting the day relaxed or getting into the groove with a few easy turns. The Kombibahn will take you directly to these slopes.

But be careful: don't get too distracted by the fantastic view – otherwise you'll end up headfirst in the snow, just like me.

My favourite slope – slope no. 10

This wide slope with a fantastic panorama is perfect for anyone looking for a leisurely yet varied descent. I love this slope. It offers enough space for enjoyable carving – whether you are a beginner or advanced. Personally, I also love the great view here – during the ride you have a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks and the Horbergtal.

On the way down, you will also pass the Möslbahn. The modern gondola lift also offers another way to reach the ski resort on Penken.

Tip: My favourite secret is piste no. 14 – rarely used, prepared with natural snow and perfect for long, enjoyable turns.

A few facts from the gondola in between

As I'm riding back up in the Möslbahn gondola, I'll take the time to give you a few facts about the ski resort around Mountopolis in Mayrhofen:

A total of 142 kilometres of pistes and 61 modern lifts are spread across Ahorn, Penken, Finkenberg, Rastkogel and Eggalm.

Popular with families:

The ski resort has something for everyone – whether you're a beginner, an expert or a family with children. And as a snow reporter, I can tell you: Mountopolis is a true paradise for families! On the Ahorn Plateau, the little ones will find wide, sunny slopes, and the FunRide Ahorn with waves and steep turns provides extra fun. My highlights? The AlbertAdler Tour and Albert's Penken Tour – child-friendly runs with obstacles and figures that offer lots of action.

But that's not all: freestyle fans can let off steam in the KidsPark with easy boxes and jumps, while beginners can practise their first turns on the practice slopes with magic carpets and drag lifts. And when the ski boots need a break, the AlbertAdler play area offers plenty of variety with a climbing wall and Ravensburger games.

Action guaranteed:

adrenaline junkies will get their money's worth on the red and black slopes – an absolute highlight in this ski resort is the black slope Harakiri – the steepest slope in Austria and not for the faint-hearted.

PenkenPark

The PenkenPark on the Penken in Mayrhofen offers everything that makes the hearts of snowboarders and freeskiers beat faster! Five permanently perfectly shaped lines and a fantastic crowd have given the park a reputation that it definitely lives up to. Pro Area, Advanced Area, Medium Area, MediumJib Area and KidsPark promise a great time on the mountain for every level of ability.

Tip: Be sure to try out the new FunCross next to the PenkenPark – an adventure for those who love action and variety!

Winter hiking

Want to take a break from skiing? Then head to the Penken Winter Hiking Trail, which offers great panoramic views! The tour starts at the Kombibahn mountain station and leads to the Penkenjoch and back again.

Pleasant moments on the mountain

For me, a perfect day of skiing is not just about the skiing, but also about enjoying myself – and that's exactly why I love the wide range of ski huts in Mountopolis. From stylish lifestyle and après-ski huts to cosy mountain restaurants, there really is something for everyone here. And no matter where you stop, the sun terraces always offer fantastic views of the snow-covered peaks. Perfect for enjoying the moment in peace and letting the alpine scenery take effect on you.

By the way: on the other side of Mayrhofen, the Ahorn awaits you

For me, the Ahorn ski resort is the perfect place to be if you want to relax and enjoy yourself. The Ahornbahn takes you directly to the sunny Ahorn plateau – a dream come true for beginners and leisurely carvers, thanks to the wide, gentle blue and red slopes. The WhiteLounge, a snow bar at the top of the plateau, is a real highlight. Here you can enjoy the sun with an Aperol in your hand and take in the alpine atmosphere. If you are looking for more action, take on the 5.5 km long valley descent – challenging, but the views of the Zillertal are absolutely worth it. For the little skiers among us, there is a fun FunRide, the AlbertAdler Tour, and the Übungsland – perfect for your first turns. The PistenBock experience and the spectacular GreifenBrücke are also definitely must-dos in Mountopolis!

Tip: Make a point of getting up a little earlier – it's worth it! The Ahornbahn cable car starts running at 7:30 am, giving you the unique opportunity to enjoy the perfectly groomed slopes all to yourself.And the best part? A sunrise like you've never seen before.

Harakiri: Austria's steepest slope

Now it's getting steep – really steep! With a gradient of up to 78%, the Harakiri slope is considered the steepest groomed slope in Austria and presents a real challenge even for experienced skiers. A safe technique and full concentration are required here, because the descent is demanding and requires precise turns. Due to the slope and often slippery snow conditions, it is recommended to practice on other steep slopes in advance. Those who are well prepared can look forward to an athletic highlight that is guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping.

Tip: If you are not sure whether you dare to go down the Harakiri, first test slope no. 12, the DevilsRun. If you master it well, you are definitely ready for the steepest descent! And believe me, the thrill of the Harakiri is absolutely worth it!

One day is just not enough...

Every time I come back down, I realise the same thing: a day in the Mountopolis ski resort is just way too short to discover everything! The selection of slopes, huts and activities is simply huge. But don't worry, I'm sure I'll be back – and maybe I'll even meet some of you on the slopes ;-)

Stay tuned – the next adventure is already waiting!

Well, that's it for today from my trip to the Mountopolis ski resort. I hope I was able to give you a little taste of what to expect here. If you are looking for more inspiration for your perfect winter holiday in the Zillertal, feel free to check out my other blog posts or Zillertal.at on Instagram.

I'd like to thank you for reading and hope to see you again next time when I explore another ski resort for you.

Until then: goodbye and see you soon!

Jolanda