Snowreporter Jolanda

Live from the snow: your daily dose of Zillertal!

Hello everyone! I'm Jolanda, born and raised in Zillertal. For those who don't know: Zillertal is the place to be when it comes to winter sports, powder snow and mountains. And that's exactly where I come in. This winter, I'll be your snow reporter, regularly providing you with everything you need to know about the Zillertal ski resorts.

From nursery to the slopes – or: how I landed my dream job

I was three years old when I first put on skis – and since then I have hardly taken them off. At some point, I added a snowboard and fell in love with endless powder days. I just feel at home up in the mountains. When I was asked if I wanted to be your reporter in the mountains this season, I didn't have to think about it for a second – the answer was clear! And now? Now I'm right in the middle of it.

What will I love most about this job? The crunching of the snow under my skis, sunny days on the ski huts, and of course the opportunity to share it all with you ;-)

What you can expect:

From 12 January, I will be on the road for you – across the Zillertal Ski World. My goal? To provide you with the best insider tips. Where are the best downhill runs? What actually goes on behind the scenes at the mountain railways when the slopes are being prepared? Which events should you definitely not miss? And where can you find the best yeast dumplings? (Spoiler: I have a few really good spots for you!)

My little sneak peek at the Zillertal ski resorts:

Mountopolis | Mayrhofen-Hippach holiday region

This ski resort impresses with a wide range of slopes for all abilities. A particular highlight for adrenaline junkies is the famous Harakiri – with a 78% gradient, it is the steepest slope experience in Austria. But remember: you need courage to take it on!

Freestylers will find everything their heart desires in the PenkenPark on Penken Mountain in Mayrhofen. Five perfectly shaped lines, from the Pro Area to the Kids Park, offer challenges for every level.

Hot tip: If you are looking for even more variety, you should definitely try the new FunCross.

The Ahorn offers families and pleasure-skiers wide, sunny slopes and a panorama that invites you to linger. Here you can relax, carve and enjoy the tranquillity of the mountains. The new Vulture Bridge is a special experience, offering breathtaking views of Mayrhofen and the surrounding mountain landscape – a place that invites you to marvel.

Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach ski region | Erste Ferienregion Zillertal

This ski resort combines a variety of slopes with stylish gourmet restaurants and cosy mountain huts – ideal for enjoyable and active days of skiing. Two valley runs with snow-making facilities offer perfect conditions for an intense skiing experience.

At 2,400 metres above sea level, winter sports enthusiasts can expect an impressive variety: from perfectly groomed slopes for all abilities to unprepared ski routes that offer exciting challenges for freeriders. The high-alpine winter climbing route opens up spectacular views, while the Betterpark Hochzillertal delights freestylers with its various lines and its own lift. A place that combines variety, adventure and enjoyment in equal measure.

What I particularly like about this ski resort is the extravagant cuisine. Here, dishes ranging from classic Kaiserschmarrn to Almburger are reimagined in the Zillertal style and served in the numerous Gault&Millau-awarded huts. As a confirmed foodie, I look forward to the hut tours almost more than anything ;-)

Hochfügen | First Holiday Region Zillertal

Hochfügen impresses with its location on a sunny high plateau at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,500 metres and offers a variety of ways to enjoy the Tyrolean mountains. Whether on skis, snowboards, snowshoes, touring skis or the high-altitude cross-country ski trail – winter sports enthusiasts get their money's worth in winter.

An absolute highlight for me is the opportunity to try freeriding. It's not for nothing that this ski resort is considered a freeride mecca – the Big Mountain in Hochfügen is legendary for its perfect deep snow and attracts freeriders from all over the world. This is something that I have never tried before. So spoiler alert: I'm looking forward to being out and about in the fresh powder together with a freeride guide as a snow reporter – and of course I'll be taking you with me!

Spieljoch | First holiday region Zillertal

The Spieljoch ski resort in Zillertal is a real family paradise and impresses with wide slopes, a 5.5-kilometre-long toboggan run, a leisurely winter hiking trail and inviting huts that spoil you with culinary delicacies. The combination of a wide range of activities and family friendliness makes the Spieljoch a popular destination for winter sports fans of all ages.

New this winter: a special highlight awaits experienced skiers in the form of the new black slope ‘Heiße Kante’ (no. 3). At 2.7 kilometres long and with an 800-metre difference in altitude, this descent promises pure adrenaline and sporting challenges for those who love steep slopes and rapid descents – another unforgettable experience for ambitious winter sports enthusiasts.

Fun fact: the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach and Hochfügen ski resorts are connected by the 8-seater EUB Zillertal Shuttle from the Hochfügen side and by the Wedelexpress from the Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach side. They offer an impressive range of possibilities. For sporty winter sports enthusiasts, this means a boundless experience in which you can discover the entire range of adventures offered by the two ski resorts in one day!

The Zwergerl Club in Spieljoch and Hochzillertal-Kaltenbach is a special offer for families. Here, you can take advantage of childcare directly in the ski area – a practical solution that allows parents to enjoy their day of skiing to the fullest.

Ski- & Gletscherwelt 3000 | Tux-Finkenberg Tourist Board

A unique skiing experience awaits you here, with slopes up to 3,000 metres above sea level. The region offers 202 kilometres of slopes and 66 state-of-the-art lifts in five ski resorts, which can be explored with just one ski pass.

The ski resort offers winter sports enthusiasts top-notch fun on the slopes – from gentle descents to challenging routes at altitudes of up to 3,250 metres on the Hintertux Glacier. Deep-snow slopes, moguls and excellent gastronomy round off the offer.

My highlight for this winter season is the glacier circuit: with over 60 kilometres of downhill runs and 15,000 metres of altitude, this tour is an unforgettable experience.

Zillertal Arena | Zell-Gerlos Tourist Board

The Zillertal Arena extends from Zell am Ziller via Gerlos to Wald-Königsleiten and Krimml-Hochkrimml, connecting the Zillertal with the Pinzgau region of Salzburg. With 150 kilometres of pistes and 52 lifts, the region's largest ski area offers something for everyone, from beginners to professionals.

The altitude of up to 2,500 metres and almost guaranteed snow conditions make the Zillertal Arena an attractive destination for families and winter sports enthusiasts who appreciate plenty of space on the slopes and, as in all of the ski resorts, a fantastic panorama.

I think that each of our ski resorts offers plenty of action for young and old. Whether you're looking for an adrenaline rush on steep descents, leisurely cruising on wide slopes or family fun with your kids – you'll find it all here.

What I'm looking forward to most in this ski resort is the Zillertal Champions Challenge. At 14 stations, we await you with exciting ski movies, speed checks and photo points. The best part: At the end, you can get your personal Arena Champions Movie for free – a perfect souvenir of your tour!

But which ski resort should it be? Don't worry, I'm here ;-) Over the next few months, I'll take you on numerous tours through the best spots so you can find your GO-TO places in the Zillertal. Need a little inspiration? Hang on – it's going to be great!

Together we'll make the winter unforgettable!

I promise you: it will be a season full of highlights. From glistening snowfields to the best culinary spots – I will show you how to get your money's worth in the Zillertal in winter.

If you don't want to miss a thing, follow Zillertal.at on Instagram. I regularly share my adventures there – including the best tips, tricks and maybe a few (more or less) elegant falls.

See you on the mountain – I'm looking forward to making the slopes unsafe with you!

Yours Jolanda