Our personal comparison of the ski resorts in the Zillertal

During our holiday, we tried out several ski resorts in the Zillertal valley. What we particularly liked was that each resort had its own unique character. Depending on whether we wanted a sporty day of skiing, a relaxed family outing, or to experience as many kilometers of slopes as possible, we chose a different resort.

Zillertal Arena (approx. 143 kilometers of slopes)

The Zillertal Arena was the most varied ski area for us. The ski circuit leads from Zell am Ziller via Gerlos to Königsleiten and Hochkrimml. Anyone wanting to ski the entire circuit should start as early as possible – a whole day flies by here.

The valley stations offer ample parking, making access to the slopes straightforward. We particularly enjoyed the long runs, the magnificent views of the Zillertal mountains, and the opportunity to constantly discover new pistes. Those seeking a more relaxed experience can easily spend the entire day on the Zell side. There alone, you'll find plenty of varied slopes for a fantastic day of skiing.

A special highlight: In March, the area here open as early as 6:50 am on Thursdays and Sundays!

Hochzillertal – Hochfügen (approx. 89 kilometers of slopes)

This ski resort impressed us with its modern lifts and excellently groomed slopes. Kaltenbach and Hochfügen are directly connected, making it easy to switch between the two areas.

We prefer to start at the Kaltenbach valley station. There's a large parking lot, a parking garage, and two gondolas leading into the ski area. We especially recommend the long run down to Kaltenbach. However, depending on snow and weather conditions, it can get quite tracked out by late afternoon. Our tip: Try skiing the run down to the valley in the morning. The conditions are often particularly good then.

The mountain lifts in Kaltenbach open as early as 7:30 am!

Spieljoch in Fügen (approx. 21 kilometers of slopes)

Although Spieljoch is significantly smaller than other ski resorts, it pleasantly surprised us. The slopes are easy to navigate and ideal for families, beginners, or a relaxed day of skiing.

The run down to the valley is great fun and considerably longer than you would expect in a smaller ski resort. There is ample parking right at the valley station. Parking is free with a valid ski pass – simply validate your ticket at the machine before exiting.

Mayrhofen Mountain Lifts – Penken & Ahorn (approx. 142 kilometers of slopes)

The ski area around Mayrhofen is one of the most sporty in the Zillertal valley, in our opinion. Especially on the Penken mountain, you'll find numerous red and black runs, modern lifts, and a large fun park.

Many people only think of the Penken when they think of the Mayrhofen ski area. In fact, the ski area extends beyond Finkenberg all the way to the Eggalm above Lanersbach. This means you can discover new runs and enjoy varied ski circuits throughout the day.

Our tip: Take the Horbergbahn cable car in Schwendau to the ski area. There you'll find plenty of parking and a much more relaxed start than directly in Mayrhofen, where parking spaces are often quickly filled and subject to a fee.

Those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere should also check out the Ahorn (a large gondola takes you directly from the village of Mayrhofen to the ski area). Wide slopes, a more leisurely pace, and the stunning views make it particularly popular with recreational skiers and families.

Hintertux Glacier (approx. 64 kilometers of slopes)

When reliable snow conditions are essential, the Hintertux Glacier is the only option for us. Thanks to its high altitude, skiing is usually possible here almost all year round. We have often experienced excellent conditions here, especially at the beginning of the season or in spring.

There are also plenty of parking spaces available at the valley station, so the ski day can begin without any complications.

Gerlosstein-Hainzenberg

For those seeking a change of pace, the small ski area at Hainzenberg is worth a visit. It's considerably more manageable than the larger ski resorts in the Zillertal valley. The toboggan run is definitely the highlight!