No sun? No stress! Not for nothing is Mayrhofen among the most popular ski resorts in Austria. Nestled in the beautiful Ziller Valley of the Austrian Alps, the family-friendly resort offers plenty of rainy day alternatives for those pea soup days. There is something for everybody, from the adventurers who refuse to let a little snow stop them to those who were just craving an excuse to curl up inside and sip hot chocolate by the fire. Instead of skipping straight to the legendary après-ski scene, check out Snowplaza’s top picks for rainy-day activities.
Take a day trip out of Mayrhofen and experience a relaxing break from today’s hustle and bustle with this historic journey back in time. The old-fashioned Zillertalbahn steam train, built in 1902, winds gracefully through the quaint Austrian countryside and rugged mountains between Mayrhofen and Jenbach. Be dazzled by the Crystal Car, which is decorated with 62 000 Swarovski crystals, and then hit up the dining compartment for a quick snack before the train makes its big entrance into the town with a billow of steam. Small children ride free.
©Zillertalbahn
Find out how milk, locally sourced from 400 regional farms, is made into tasty cheese and butter at the Erlebnissennerei Zillertal Dairy & Show Farm. Sampling the taste of each product along the way will give you an appreciation for the origins of your food. Kids will love playing with the chickens, goats, sheep and cows at the hay farm and taking a spin on the mini tractors. After the tour, you’ll want to load up on cheese and honey at the gift shop, or have a meal at the Sennereiküche restaurant, which offers traditional dishes and, of course, delicious milk products from the dairy farm itself.
©Sennerei Zillertal
If you’re not quite ready to go into hibernation, discover a whole world of activities at the Erlebnisbad Pool and Spa. The indoor pool and sauna stay open all winter long, and Erlebnisbad also offers solariums if you’re just craving some sunlight! Kids and the young at heart can build up an appetite at the giant water slide and the Crazy River before hitting up the restaurant. Erlebnisbad is sure to be a great day for the whole family.
©Erlebnisbad
For the more courageous, or if the cloud cover doesn’t reach as low down as the valley, cross-country skiing is an alluring alternative to alpine skiing. Follow a preplanned route or let yourself get lost in the Ziller Valley to discover the region’s hidden secrets. You might just become a convert of this slow lifestyle, which allows you to really connect with the nature around you. The hours will pass quickly, but don’t worry, some of these tours are even more spectacular at night.
Tobogganing and snowtubing are just the excuse you needed to check out a different part of the Ziller valley. This is an especially attractive option for beginner skiers who are eager to whiz effortlessly down the slopes after a long day of practicing the perfect snowplough turn (don’t worry, we’ve all been there!). Warm yourself up afterwards with a well-earned “Jagatee,” a mouthwatering hot drink made with wine, schnapps and rum.
After braving the elements, you’ve earned a break at one of Mayrhofen’s many alpine bars and restaurants. Classic favourites include the White Lounge Igloo Village on top of Ahorn Mountain, where you can have a drink before heading over to the nearby Café-Bistro Freiraum, which will give you smug views of the weather conditions outside as you enjoy your fondue. Alternately, snuggle up by the hearth with a hot chocolate at the Ahornhutte or savour a scrumptious plate of kaiserschmarrn at one of Mayrhofen’s many restaurants - ten points if you can pronounce it right!
©Ahornhutte
There’s no excuse for staying miserable in bed when you’re in an area that offers so many fantastic activities. Don’t lose a minute of your holiday - Mayrhofen has so much to see that you’ll be dying to come back for more.
No sun? No stress! Not for nothing is Mayrhofen among the most popular ski resorts in Austria. Nestled in the beautiful Ziller Valley of the Austrian Alps, the family-friendly resort offers plenty of rainy day alternatives for those pea soup days. There is something for everybody, from the adventurers who refuse to let a little snow stop them to those who were just craving an excuse to curl up inside and sip hot chocolate by the fire. Instead of skipping straight to the legendary après-ski scene, check out Snowplaza’s top picks for rainy-day activities.
Take a day trip out of Mayrhofen and experience a relaxing break from today’s hustle and bustle with this historic journey back in time. The old-fashioned Zillertalbahn steam train, built in 1902, winds gracefully through the quaint Austrian countryside and rugged mountains between Mayrhofen and Jenbach. Be dazzled by the Crystal Car, which is decorated with 62 000 Swarovski crystals, and then hit up the dining compartment for a quick snack before the train makes its big entrance into the town with a billow of steam. Small children ride free.
©Zillertalbahn
Find out how milk, locally sourced from 400 regional farms, is made into tasty cheese and butter at the Erlebnissennerei Zillertal Dairy & Show Farm. Sampling the taste of each product along the way will give you an appreciation for the origins of your food. Kids will love playing with the chickens, goats, sheep and cows at the hay farm and taking a spin on the mini tractors. After the tour, you’ll want to load up on cheese and honey at the gift shop, or have a meal at the Sennereiküche restaurant, which offers traditional dishes and, of course, delicious milk products from the dairy farm itself.
©Sennerei Zillertal
If you’re not quite ready to go into hibernation, discover a whole world of activities at the Erlebnisbad Pool and Spa. The indoor pool and sauna stay open all winter long, and Erlebnisbad also offers solariums if you’re just craving some sunlight! Kids and the young at heart can build up an appetite at the giant water slide and the Crazy River before hitting up the restaurant. Erlebnisbad is sure to be a great day for the whole family.
©Erlebnisbad
For the more courageous, or if the cloud cover doesn’t reach as low down as the valley, cross-country skiing is an alluring alternative to alpine skiing. Follow a preplanned route or let yourself get lost in the Ziller Valley to discover the region’s hidden secrets. You might just become a convert of this slow lifestyle, which allows you to really connect with the nature around you. The hours will pass quickly, but don’t worry, some of these tours are even more spectacular at night.
Tobogganing and snowtubing are just the excuse you needed to check out a different part of the Ziller valley. This is an especially attractive option for beginner skiers who are eager to whiz effortlessly down the slopes after a long day of practicing the perfect snowplough turn (don’t worry, we’ve all been there!). Warm yourself up afterwards with a well-earned “Jagatee,” a mouthwatering hot drink made with wine, schnapps and rum.
After braving the elements, you’ve earned a break at one of Mayrhofen’s many alpine bars and restaurants. Classic favourites include the White Lounge Igloo Village on top of Ahorn Mountain, where you can have a drink before heading over to the nearby Café-Bistro Freiraum, which will give you smug views of the weather conditions outside as you enjoy your fondue. Alternately, snuggle up by the hearth with a hot chocolate at the Ahornhutte or savour a scrumptious plate of kaiserschmarrn at one of Mayrhofen’s many restaurants - ten points if you can pronounce it right!
©Ahornhutte
There’s no excuse for staying miserable in bed when you’re in an area that offers so many fantastic activities. Don’t lose a minute of your holiday - Mayrhofen has so much to see that you’ll be dying to come back for more.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
