Family holidays are what memories are made of and if you’re a family who enjoys a more adventurous theme to your holiday, you should really consider the Austrian mountain town of Mayrhofen. Tucked away in the Zillertal Alps, the resort is well known for its reputation as a ski resort but there is as much to do here off the slopes as there is on the slopes, which makes it great if families want to split their time on and off skis.
Fun Off the Slopes
Unforgettable Sleepover at White Lounge Igloo Hotel
This experience is truly magical and definitely not one that you find in every ski resort. Imagine treating your children to a night in an igloo! At an altitude of 2000m, your family and the friendly igloo guides will have the chance to indulge in a delicious fondue dinner, then enjoy roasted marshmallows over an open fire before snuggling into a warm sleeping bag in an igloo. How much fun does that sound like?
Top Tip: Kids under 14 get a discount and kids under 5 go free.
History and Family Fun on the Zillertalbahn
Another unique experience, this trip takes you on one of the most famous, and indeed one of the oldest, railways in the world. Carving its way through the narrow cut-outs, the steam train ride takes in some truly spectacular scenery. Children get to sit in their own carriage, where they can play and paint while the Zillertal scenery chugs by.
Mayrhofen’s Water Action
Sometimes a day off the slopes is just what you need to recharge the batteries, and at the swimming pool in the town you can do just that. With a 101m giant slide and the Crazy River adventure pool, however, I am never sure whether the children actually do any relaxing or recharging! I love the slower paced water mushrooms in the non-swimmer area as they keep my adrenaline in check – this area is great for little ones too.
Top Tip: Kids under 6 are free.
Fun On The Slopes
The Funslope
There is no doubt that skiing the pistes in Mayrhofen is lots of fun, but for something that bit different, take the kids to this real live Mario Kart on the snow. Close to the beginners’ lift, the Funslope promises an adrenaline-fuelled ride down a piste that leads off the Abhorn Plateau. Taking in high fives, waves, bowls and twists and turns, kids are bound to come off wanting to have to have another go – it’s 650m of pure exhilaration!
Head to the Vans Penken Park
Get the youngsters showing off their tricks in this fabulous freestyle park. Whether they are on skis or on boards, they can have a go at throwing some shapes in the kids’ area of the park. This part is divided into six sections, including a Beginner’s Area and an Advanced Jib Area, and the kids can have a go at everything from box to 4-metre jumps. This is ideal if you want to get your youngsters to build up confidence in a controlled and carefully designed place.
If you come to Mayrhofen you are probably going to be here to ski, but try out these other family friendly adventurous activities and make even more wonderful memories that you will treasure always.
Where to Stay
Haus Simon – These chalet style apartments all have balconies with lovely views of the mountains. Close to the town centre and the Penkenbahn Cable Car, the apartments are in a great location. There is a bus stop right in front too, in case you want to jump on for a free ride to town. Fully equipped for self catering, I love the freedom that staying here offers. Most of all though, I relish the morning delivery service from the bakery close by.
Gästehaus Schneeberger – Beautifully appointed and traditionally furnished, these apartments feature satellite TV and a large garden that boasts a barbeque area, children’s playground and a terrace. Breakfast is provided here, too, and includes lots of locally grown and produced ingredients from the Schneeberger’s own farm – a truly authentic experience.
Posthotel Mayrhofen – I always look for family-run accommodation options when I am travelling with my tribe and this one is a winner for me. It benefits from a quiet location and yet is only a 10 minute walk to the Penkenbahn Cable Car. Offering a children’s playroom too, this hotel is very well set up. Tyrolean decor throughout adds to the charm.
How to Get There
With several direct weekly flights from the UK to Munich (MUC), Mayrhofen’s most conveniently accessed airport, you are spoilt for choice. Lufthansa is the main airline providing the flights and tickets are competitively priced.
On arrival, you are going to want to reach your hotel and get your holiday started as soon as possible, especially if you have children with you. I recommend choosing Shuttle Direct to take you and the family on the 190km journey from Munich to Mayrhofen, which takes around two hours and ten minutes. Pre-bookable transfers provided by this expert company include a door-to-door service, a personal greeting on arrival and a reliable service all the way to your hotel.
Overview
- UK to MUC Flight Time: 1 hours 40 minutes
- MUC to Mayrhofen Distance: 190 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
Here at Shuttle Direct we have a top class fleet of drivers working all over Europe providing reliable and professional airport transfers. Pre-book with us and you can expect a personal service, a comfortable journey and stress free onward travel.
