Freedom and enjoyment go hand in hand in this boundless Austrian ski domain with its endless pistes, snow-covered slopes and fascinating mountains. Zillertal offers every skier and snowboarder from the humblest beginner to the most adventurous expert amazing experiences on 544 km of pistes in the four large ski resorts.
Add to that snowshoeing and winter hikes, ski touring, cross-country skiing adventures or tobogganing - in Zillertal there are 15 perfectly groomed toboggan runs covering 46 km - and you've got more than enough snowsports options to satisfy any visitor. And as one of the leading family destinations in the Alps, children of all ages can enjoy a healthy mix of exercise in the fresh air, enjoyment and relaxation.
For intermediate skiers, visiting Zillertal is to visit a land where the snow goes on forever - with around two-thirds of the domain's run graded red. The region’s top snow reliability, the chance to enjoy glacier skiing and the short lift waiting times thanks to the incredible array of high-speed lifts mean that skiing here is effortless.
Picturesque cruising pistes, fun family routes and snow parks or long challenging freeride descents for advanced skiers – no matter what you are looking for, you will certainly find your dream slopes here. And when you want a break, there are 80 cosy mountain huts waiting to extend a warm welcome.
Where is Zillertal?
Zillertal, which means the Ziller valley, is in Austria's Tirol region, and it stretches for 47 km. The varied slope experience extends from the idyllic wide valley floor at 630m up to the ice and snow of the Hintertux glacier at 3,250m.
The Zillertal Ski Arena spans four regions – Fügen-Kaltenbach, Zell-Gerlos, Mayrhofen-Hippach and Tux-Finkenberg – each with their own distinctive appeal, with 180 high-speed lifts serving the 544 kilometres of snowy pistes.
What is the skiing like in Zillertal?
Whether you're looking for forgiving family slopes or long, sporty downhill runs - every level of skier will find ideal conditions and perfectly groomed slopes to suit them in Zillertal. And if you are look for adventure and a challenge or two, you will find numerous snow parks and funlines packed with action — as well as some extraordinary freeride routes.
There are 25 ski schools across the Zillertal region, making learning flexible and easy. A number of childcare options are available so parents can enjoy worry-free days out in the snow.
Zillertal's ski areas
The four Zillertal holiday regions from Fügen-Kaltenbach via Zell-Gerlos and Mayrhofen-Hippach to Tux-Finkenberg, offer you a wide range of unforgettable moments - from family fun to far-ranging adventure.
Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch
Best for: Families and gourmets
Beginners will feel especially at home here, thanks to the wide pistes of the Spieljoch family ski area. Fun, action and variety are provided by the fun park and Funnyslope with its entertaining obstacles. The whole family can enjoy a cosy break with tasty Zillertal delicacies on the sun terraces at numerous gourmet huts.
Hochfügen stands out with a Photo Point, SkiMovie run, the FunLine, as well as the popular Juzi line and the safe Starter Freeride Area with experts offering tips on powder skiing. And intermediates will love the freedom to roam - you can quickly and easily ski from Hochfügen to Hochzillertal and back again.
The Hochzillertal ski area spoils you with varied downhill runs in every level of difficulty, award-winning huts and the exclusive Betterpark Hochzillertal. This has its own lift, different areas for every skill level and a chill-out area with deckchairs and music system.
Don't miss: the long, snow-covered descent down to Fügen in the Spieljoch Ski Area.
- READ NEXT: Best Kids Ski Jackets
Zillertal Arena
Best for: Adventurous intermediates
From Tirol to Salzburg on skis or a snowboard? Anything is possible in the Zillertal Arena ski area, the largest ski area in Zillertal and which stretches from Zell in Zillertal via Gerlos to Wald-Königsleiten and Krimml-Hochkrimml. This cross-border ski region that interconnects four mountains has 150km of runs in its own right!
The Zell-Gerlos holiday region winds its way up from the idyllic town of Zell am Ziller through traditional mountain villages to Gerlos. Perfect sunny slopes, gorgeous side valleys - that's the Zell-Gerlos and the Zillertal Arena. The “Arena Tour” is an unforgettable adventure for the whole family. On the route there is lots of fun and action on offer with SkiMovie and Speed Check runs as well as snow parks with interactive points where action photos are taken. And the highlight at the end is Austria’s longest downhill run: 10km of pistes in one go down into the valley.
Zell am Ziller is the perfect starting point for a variety of skiing days throughout the valley. Gerlos lies at 1,300m – guaranteed to be snowy and idyllic. The small Gerlosstein ski hill offers both families and enthusiasts fun on the slopes, free snowtubing on specially maintained tracks and a seven-kilometre-long toboggan run, which is floodlit until 1am, with a pleasant place to stop for a bite to eat.
Don’t miss: the new Wiesenalm. The architectural highlight right next to the Zillertal Arena downhill run to the valley offers delicious in-house creations, such as the Wiesenfleck and Wiesenbier.
Mayrhofner Bergbahnen
Best for: All rounders and daredevils
The Mayrhofen-Hippach region with its surrounding villages and twin peaks of Mounts Penken and Ahorn, is regarded as the cradle of alpine tourism in Zillertal. Here, pistes with guaranteed snow, fantastic winter hiking trails and perfect cross-country ski trails meet culinary variety and living traditions. If you are looking for a physical challenge, you cannot miss ActionBerg Penken.
Mount Ahorn offers the perfect conditions for children and families with the FamilyPark, FunRide Ahorn, AlbertAdler Tour and numerous slopes for enjoyable carving. The mascot Albert Adler is regularly out and about on Mount Ahorn for a meet & greet with the kids.
Fun and thrills are on offer on Mount Penken. PenkenPark with its KidsArea and five other areas for every level of difficulty ensures exciting action. Anyone who likes higher speeds, is in good hands at RacingParadise Unterberg. And last but not least, the FunRides Sun-Jet and Gerent as well as the KarlKraxler Tour ensure entertainment up Mount Penken.
Don't miss: Austria's steepest skiing experience awaits the very brave - the legendary Harakiri run with a 78% gradient.
Ski & Glacier World Zillertal 3000
Best for: Sporty skiers and freestylers
The Hintertux Glacier offers snow lovers 365 days of fun in the snow a year. In winter the Hintertux Glacier combines with the Zillertal skiing mountains Eggalm, Rastkogel, Finkenberg, Penken/Mayrhofen and Ahorn to create the skiing area Ski- & Glacier World Zillertal 3000. With just one ski pass you can enjoy a total of 202 kilometres of slopes.
Families can enjoy wonderful natural snow slopes and challenging mogul slopes in all levels of difficulty here from 630 to 3,250m. At Pepi’s Kinderland, children can make their first playful attempts on skis. The Kidsslope on the Rastkogel and Kidsslope and Funslope on the Hintertux Glacier offer variety-packed winter fun. The Betterpark Hintertux is Austria’s snow-surest freestyle spot
One of the undisputed highlights on the glacier circuit is the 6km-long Schwarze Pfanne downhill run, which leads directly to the centre of Hintertux.
Don't miss: Explore the eternal ice of the Hintertux glacier in the Hintertux Nature Ice Palace.
How to get to Zillertal
Zillertal is located in the Tirol in the west of Austria and is the widest of the side valleys on the south side of the Inn Valley. Innsbruck (50 km), Munich (170 km) and Salzburg (150 km) airports are all within easy reach of Zillertal and directly linked by regular flights from the UK.
Once here, from Jenbach, your Zillertal destination train station, you can reach your accommodation easily on the Zillertalbahn or a public bus.
Zillertal Superskipass
All this skiing pleasure is available on just one ski pass - The Zillertal Superskipass is an all-in-one ticket offering access to all four areas and includes public and ski-bus transport across the entire valley. Once here, from Jenbach, your Zillertal destination train station, you can reach your accommodation easily on the Zillertalbahn, public busses or Four Seasons Travel.
Passes can be activated from two to 21 days to suit your trip. The Zillertal Super Ski Pass can be purchased online.
For more information about the fantastic Zillertal Ski Area, go to zillertal.at/en
- READ NEXT: Find Endless Possibilities in Zillertal
