Mayrhofen-Hintertux Ski Resort advanced

Mayrhofen–Hinterux / Advanced

There is plenty of off-piste potential in Mayrhofen - Hintertux and also two unprepared but marked “Ski Routes”.

There is plenty of off-piste potential although in these litigious days the resort is at pains to remind skiers and boarders that venturing off-piste is at their own risk. There are also two unprepared but marked “Ski Routes” – one from the Penken down to the bottom station of the Horberg cable car in Schwendau 3 km (2 miles) from Mayrhofen and one from the Rastkogel to the Eggalm. These are only opened if there is enough snow.

Mayrhofen's black runs
A new run, the Harakiri, close to the Knorren lift, is generating considerable hype as “Austria's steepest ski piste” and is one of the big new attractions. And the ‘Devil’s Run’ beneath the Schneekar lift on the Schafskopf is particularly exhilarating. Altogether there are 22 km (14 miles) of black runs. The resort’s longest run – 5.5 kilm (3.4 miles) Ebenwald piste down the Ahorn - is said to be “the longest artificially snow-covered valley downhill run in the Zillertal” from almost 2,000m to the valley floor – a challenging vertical descent of 1,335 m (4,380 ft), which provides some much needed excitement to revive interest in the Ahorn area, which, by general consensus, has lost much of its original appeal – partly because it’s an effort to get there. However the cable car, now more than 25 years old, is expected to be replaced by a new one for the 2005/06 season. This will give the resort a chance to revitalise the area.