The Zillertal
The Zillertal is the most complete ski valley in Austria, a single Tyrolean valley that strings together four large linked areas, lively villages and the country's best year round glacier at Hintertux. If you want classic Austrian skiing, big sociable apres and snow you can count on into late spring, this valley delivers more than almost anywhere in the Tyrol. The choice is which village suits your group, since they sit a short bus ride apart and each has its own feel.
One valley, four ski areas
The Zillertal runs south from the Inn valley near Innsbruck, and along its length sit four separate but well linked ski areas covering well over 500 km of pistes between them. Mayrhofen is the busy, well known heart of it, the Hochzillertal and Hochfugen areas spread across the lower valley, the Zillertal Arena climbs above Gerlos, and the Hintertux glacier closes the valley at the top.
What sets the valley apart is the glacier. Hintertux is one of very few resorts in the world that skis every month of the year, which makes the whole Zillertal one of the most snow sure choices in Austria. A regional Zillertal Superskipass covers the lot, so keen skiers can roam the entire valley across a week.
Where to base yourself
The four ski areas are linked by the valley bus and the Superskipass rather than by lifts end to end, so your base is your daily starting point. Mayrhofen is the obvious all rounder and the one with a full resort page. Here is the honest read on the valley's main bases.
| Base | Ski area | Best for | The verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayrhofen | Penken and Ahorn | All rounders and apres | The lively, well connected heart of the valley, with the famous steep Harakiri run and big apres. |
| Hintertux | Hintertux glacier | Snow sure skiing | A year round glacier at the head of the valley, the snow insurance for the whole Zillertal. |
| Gerlos | Zillertal Arena | Families and cruising | A relaxed, sunny base into the large Arena area, gentler and quieter than Mayrhofen. |
| Zell am Ziller | Zillertal Arena | Value and tradition | An authentic working valley town with good value beds and quick Arena access. |
Smaller villages such as Finkenberg, Lanersbach and Fugen also make good bases, usually quieter and cheaper than Mayrhofen while still on the valley bus and Superskipass. Mayrhofen is the one we cover with a full review for now.
Is the Zillertal right for you?
The Zillertal is ideal for intermediates who want a lot of varied, well groomed mileage and a proper Austrian atmosphere in the evening. It is also one of the safest bets for early and late season trips thanks to the Hintertux glacier. Apres lovers are well served, with Mayrhofen among the liveliest valleys in the country.
It suits you less if you want everything linked by lift from your front door without ever taking a bus, or if you are chasing the very highest base altitudes of the French resorts. For ski in ski out at altitude, look instead at our Three Valleys guide, or browse the wider Austria guide for alternatives like the Arlberg.
Getting there and getting around
Innsbruck is the closest airport, roughly an hour to the valley, with Salzburg and Munich both around two hours as alternatives. The Zillertal Superskipass covers all four areas and the valley train and buses, which is what makes roaming the whole valley realistic. A day pass runs around $65 to $75, with multi day passes far better value for a full week.
Book the extras and save
Lift passes, airport transfers and lessons are where an Austrian trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price.
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Which Zillertal resort should I choose?
Choose Mayrhofen for the liveliest all round base and apres, Hintertux for the most snow sure glacier skiing, Gerlos for relaxed family cruising in the Zillertal Arena, and Zell am Ziller for value and tradition. The valley bus and Superskipass link them all.
How big is the Zillertal ski area?
The valley's four linked areas, Mayrhofen, Hochzillertal Hochfugen, the Zillertal Arena and the Hintertux glacier, total well over 500 km of pistes between them, all on the Zillertal Superskipass.
Is the Zillertal snow sure?
Yes, unusually so for Austria. The Hintertux glacier skis every month of the year, and the higher slopes across the valley hold reliable snow from early in the season into spring. It is one of the safest Austrian bets for an early or late trip.
Is the Zillertal good for apres ski?
Very. Mayrhofen in particular has a big, sociable apres scene, and the valley as a whole has a strong reputation for evening atmosphere, music and Tyrolean huts. It is one of the livelier valleys in the country.
How do I get to the Zillertal?
Innsbruck airport is closest, around an hour away, with Salzburg and Munich roughly two hours. The valley train and bus network makes getting between the villages and ski areas straightforward once you arrive.
What does a Zillertal lift pass cost?
A day pass runs around 65 to 75 US dollars, with the multi day Zillertal Superskipass much better value for a week and covering all four ski areas plus valley transport. We can build the right pass into your trip when we price it.
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