Mountain press text - Mayrhofen Cable Cars

Winter holidays can be truly diverse. For anyone who wants to experience everything, Mayrhofen in the Zillertal Valley is the perfect destination: from classic carvings through freeride and freestyle options to Austria’s steepest slope adventure; from Europe’s best snow park through to romantic nights in an igloo – for emotion-packed winter days. Visitors can also simply head out skiing in a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere or stay at cosy, rustic alpine huts.

Skiers, snowboarders and revellers all do it – they come to Mayrhofen because it offers winter action for all conceivable tastes: a legendary snow park, the famous Harakiri piste with a terrifying 78 percent average gradient, sporty descents and race courses. With 32 ski lodges and at least as many bars, even the après ski in Mayrhofen is legendary and highly diverse. There is plenty to keep holiday-makers returning year after year.

An ski break invitation from Ahorn and Penken to savour culinary delights and soak in the views: fabulous powder snow, 159 kilometres of perfectly prepared pistes, breathtaking scenery, three-thousander peaks – all rounded off by a full menu of tempting gourmet highlights. Here, a chance to celebrate snow and skiing is a chance to tour the welcoming cuisine of Austria – from mountaintop breakfasts in the Schneekarhütte to an atmospheric fondue dinner, rounding off a perfect day in the Freiraum café-bistro.

It is a legend. Steeper than a ski jump inrun. And incredibly challenging. The Harakiri piste: one of the most difficult black pistes in Austria. The 78 percent incline is enough to get even the most experienced skiers quivering in their boots. To ski the Harakiri piste, skiers need one thing most of all: unwavering belief in their own abilities. And once they’ve mastered it, the feeling is incredible: adrenaline mixed with pure joy. Every Friday from 1-3pm, a special photo service is on hand to capture intrepid skiers as they brave the Harakiri.

The new winter season is almost upon us, and soon, Vans Penken Park in Mayrhofen will be brimming with enthusiastic snowboarders and freeskiers. This prestigious snow park in the heart of the Zillertal valley isn’t just one of Europe’s largest: it is also seen by the freeskiing community as the best snow park for innovative, progressive design, and has been for many years. So for the 2011/2012 winter season, the park’s operators have once again come up with a potpourri of innovations to ensure shredheads of all kinds enjoy freestyle fun par excellence.

2,000 metres above sea level, the Mayrhofen White Lounge is a real insider tip for anyone who wants to experience the mountains up close and personal. With its exclusive suites, rebuilt every year with lots of attention to detail, the igloo hotel is quite unlike anything else. At the end of a fun-filled day’s skiing, guests can retire to the igloo bar, relax over cocktails, and watch the sun set behind the mountains as chill-out music plays in the background. Enjoy a tasty fondue, watch the stars on a romantic torchlight walk, or play Austrian curling high up on the mountain – whatever guests choose to do, a night at the White Lounge is always magical. During the day, skiers and snowboarders in search of sunshine come to the White Lounge to relax in deckchairs and bathe in the sun’s warm glow to the sound of lounge music.

The snow glistens in the sunlight. All around: the striking peaks of the Zillertal Alps. Below: the broad, white slopes of the Ahorn plateau. The feeling: pure elation. There’s no better location than Mayrhofen for a first day back on the slopes. Boasting 159 kilometres of perfectly prepared pistes, Mayrhofen offers one breathtaking experience after another. There are five highlights that every visitor should see. The ascent up to Penken, the action mountain, starting at the impressive new valley station of the Horbergbahn gondola-lift. The Penken combi-lift, a chairlift and gondola lift in one. The internationally renowned Vans Penken Park, a real hit among freestyle skiers. The Freiraum café-bistro on Ahorn, the leisure mountain, featuring culinary delicacies and stunning panoramic views. And the White Lounge, where guests can enjoy a drink as they watch the sun set before staying overnight in the igloo hotel, 2,000 metres above sea level.

The winter season is just around the corner, and eager freestyle enthusiasts will be counting the days until they can let themselves loose in Vans Penken Park – one of Europe’s largest snow parks. Located in Mayrhofen, Vans Penken Park promises unlimited thrills for freestyle skiers and boarders of all kinds: children and adults, beginners and experts alike. This season, not only have parts of the park been upgraded, Vans Penken Park will once again be home to all kinds of exhilarating events.

This winter, Mayrhofen continues to live up to its reputation for imaginative ideas. Discover the resort’s latest attraction: Freiraum, a brand new convention and event location high up on the Ahorn plateau. This impressive centre is also home to a cosy café offering stunning panoramic views of the Zillertal Alps. Winter sports lovers will find the vista here just as stunning as the spectacular stunts performed by Europe’s freestyle elite in Vans Penken Park. Then there’s the Harakiri piste, nerve-wracking for even the most experienced skiers! For guests seeking rest and relaxation after an action-packed day on the slopes, the White Lounge igloo hotel is the perfect place for unforgettable nights beneath a twinkling canopy of stars. Events such as Wängl Tängl Mayrhofen, the Sista Sessions, the Mayrhofen Freeski Open and Snowbombing add adrenaline and excitement to the winter season. Last but not least, traditional celebrations like the ‘Krampus rampage’, the Klöpflsänger carol singers and the rustic Advent market on Waldfestplatz turn a holiday in Mayrhofen into a unique, magical experience.

Decisions, decisions. Will it be the chair lift or a ride in the gondola? With the new Penken combi-lift (Kombibahn), this question is a thing of the past! Passengers have the best of both worlds and can travel however they please: in an 8-seater chair lift or a spacious 10-person gondola.

Majestic three-thousanders – a fitting backdrop for Freiraum (“free space”), the new location for conventions and events high in the Zillertal Alps. This new centre, which doubles as a cosy café with breathtaking panoramic views, is no normal event venue. High on the Ahorn plateau, 2000 metres above sea level, its unique location is just one factor that makes Freiraum so novel and promising. The centre’s groundbreaking architecture blends seamlessly into its stunning surroundings. And there are plenty of leisure activities on Ahorn, the leisure mountain, including world-class skiing and the lavish White Lounge complete with igloo hotel. All in all, it’s enough to turn any event into a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

2000 metres above sea level, Mayrhofen’s White Lounge is the perfect romantic retreat for couples. Surrounded by stunning mountains on all sides, it has a unique flair – and the exclusive suites in the igloo hotel make for a memorable way to spend the night. Every year, the suites are artistically resculpted, right down to the smallest detail. Spending an evening in the White Lounge is an incredible way to experience the raw natural beauty of the Alps up close. And during the day, sun-seeking skiers and snowboarders can soak up rays in the many deckchairs at the lounge, to relaxing music in the background.

High on the Ahorn plateau at an altitude of 2000 metres, nestled beneath the milky way, Mayrhofen’s White Lounge really makes for an unforgettable experience. A unique combination of an igloo bar, igloo hotel and a party spot, it’s the top venue of its kind in the Zillertal region. During the day, guests can relax in sun-drenched deckchairs and sip classy cocktails – enjoying stunning panoramic views of the Zillertal alps as relaxing music plays in the background. At night, the White Lounge transforms into a magical location for couples, stargazers and adventurers. Plus every Tuesday, the White Lounge becomes Mayrhofen’s coolest party spot – in more ways than one. Freshly built every year from the mountain snow, there’s simply nowhere quite like it. The bar, dining area, igloo sauna and all ten igloo suites are even decorated with artistic ice carvings and stylish designs. These mini-masterpieces in ice create the perfect atmosphere for guests to party and relax under the starry sky.

Eager with anticipation, freestyle skiing enthusiasts will be counting the days until the winter season begins and they can strut their stuff in Vans Penken Park – one of Europe’s largest snow parks. Located in Mayrhofen, the park promises hours of fun for all kinds of freestylers, from beginners to professionals. With five separate lines plus a half-pipe, skiers can warm up on the easier lines before progressing to more challenging obstacles. Professional freestylers can stun onlookers as they traverse kickers up to 20 metres long – no wonder Penken is so popular among the world’s freestyling elite. Meanwhile, beginners and younger skiers can have the new kids’ park all for themselves. Featuring eleven obstacles, the park – now with its very own lift - is the perfect place for the next generation of freestylers to learn the basics of freestyle skiing and practice smaller jumps and stunts.

”Dress warmly!” could be the motto for the coming winter season in Mayrhofen, with one cool event after another enticing winter revellers to the Zillertal. There’s the Oakley Jib Vid from 17 – 20 March 2010, the Snowbombing music festival from 5 – 10 April, plus many more snowboarding, freestyling and music events. Two highlights of the winter season are the Vans Penken Park opening week from 3 – 10 January, including the Groms Open, and Junk&Funk by Vans and Onboard, which brings the season to a spectacular close on 10 April. As usual, some of the biggest names in the skiing and music scenes will be in Mayrhofen for the season’s contests and events, showing off their latest tricks and premiering brand new sounds.

Discover the hidden delights of snowy side valleys and unspoilt Alpine meadows, rich in atmosphere and tradition. The next day, enjoy a sumptuous gourmet meal in a luxury mountain hut – perfectly complemented by a superb bottle of wine from the hut’s very own wine cellar. The ski huts and Alpine huts which surround Mayrhofen leave no wish unfulfilled. Some are steeped in antique ambience; others offer home-grown organic cuisine - while the Schneekar hut, high up in the Penken skiing area, is the perfect place for guests to spend cosy nights in an elegant tower suite beneath the romantic full moon.

The Ahornbahn in Mayrhofen is already a defining feature of Zillertal. It only takes 6½ minutes for this queen of ski lifts to transport 160 people up onto Mount Ahorn, the “Leisure Mountain”. When it was built, the engineers were at pains to make sure the sophisticated lift blended in harmoniously with the countryside. Their exemplary efforts, and the state-ofthe- art technology used on the lift, have already earned the Ahornbahn two major architectural prizes. Within seconds of starting the 2000 metre high journey, passengers in Austria’s biggest gondola car can’t help but notice that these are the most unique 40 square metres on the whole of Leisure Mountain.

Penken, the Action Mountain. Austria’s steepest ski-slope. One of Europe’s leading snow parks. Ahorn, the Leisure Mountain. The unique igloo hotel in the White Lounge. And Austria’s longest cable car. All this, plus 157km of perfectly prepared pistes. Mayrhofen is ready to entertain its guests in spectacular fashion, with totally unique attractions. But how do they conjure up this magic? Let’s go through the doors of the dream factory...

It’s already a legend. With an average incline of 78 per cent, this slope is steeper than an “inrun”. Yes, that’s the starting ramp used in ski jumping. Even the most seasoned skier finds the Harakiri challenging. Whether you take on the Harakiri on two skis or a snowboard, take a deep breath – a very deep breath. Looking down from the highest point, the eye quickly focuses, like looking through a tunnel. Your belief in your own ability must be as clear as the white snow below. So don’t come here if you’re a beginner, or inexperienced on the slopes – if you are, this part of Penken “Action Mountain” is a no-go area.

You pull back the curtains. During the night, another fresh blanket of snow has fallen on Mayrhofen. A feast for the eyes – and a green light to all skiers and snowboarders to get out of bed. Rise and shine, and pull on your skiing gear. As you do so, you mentally walk through the highlights of the day to come: carving down mouthwateringly challenging slopes on Mount Penken – the ‘action mountain’; a short sharp shot of adrenalin descending the harakiri, a cult ski slope (in fact the steepest in the whole of Austria). Then there’s the deep powder snow and long jumps in Vans Penken Park. Not forgetting a journey on Austria’s biggest gondola lift up onto Mount Ahorn, the place to chill out and enjoy the après-ski atmosphere of the White Lounge igloos. In fact there are 10 igloo suites for you to stay the night and look back on an unforgettable day in the mountains.

Two gods of club culture will be rocking the Zillertal in 2009, from 28 March – 4 April. The occasion? The tenth anniversary of Snowbombing – the biggest and most unconventional music festival in the Alps. Fatboy Slim, pioneer of big beat, will make the Tyrolean mountains shake. And Grandmaster Flash, one of the inventors of hip-hop, will take guests on a musical trip through time into the history of hip-hop – the world’s largest youth movement. ‘Snowbombing’ in Mayrhofen is nothing less than a reinvention of ‘après-ski’: make the most of smooth snow and spring sunshine on Mayrhofen’s 157km of pistes during the day – and dance the night away to urban club sounds, in rustic log cabins and wild igloo parties, 2000 metres above sea level

Penken, the Action Mountain. Austria’s steepest ski-slope. One of Europe’s leading snow parks. Ahorn, the Leisure Mountain. The unique igloo hotel in the White Lounge. And Austria’s longest cable car. All this, plus 157km of perfectly prepared pistes. Mayrhofen is ready to entertain its guests in spectacular fashion, with totally unique attractions. But how do they conjure up this magic? Let’s go through the doors of the dream factory...

“Ready?” asks Joacim, a snowboarder from Norway. He’s come all the way to Mayrhofen from Scandinavia just to try out Vans Penken Park, he explains in a YouTube video. The clip shows him performing a series of impressive jumps against the breathtaking backdrop of Mayrhofen’s stunning, snow-covered mountainscape. This winter, the Zillertal ski area will be packed with a unique mix of extra-special sporting events, sure to attract snowboarders, freestyle skiers and “snow artists” from across the world. Melanie Kaindl from Mayrhofner Bergbahnen describes it as “an amazing winter mix of snow, sport, music and art”.

Take two mountains bristling with character and add plenty of leisure time activities to suit every taste, leaving nothing to be desired – that’s winter in Mayrhofen. The cold months here draw one and all to the Ahorn “Leisure Mountain” and the Penken “Activity Mountain” with not-to-be-topped opportunities such as romantic igloo evenings 2000m above sea level or the ultimate in partying – Snowbombing – where the best DJs have you kicking up your heels until dawn. Don’t forget about the 157km of pistes (guaranteed to be snow-swept), the legendary Harakiri slope, and, of course, the charm of the Tyrolean mountains plus countless improvements and additions for a winter holiday that’s more like a dream come true.

If igloos could talk…oh, the things they’d have to say about the Mayrhofen White Lounge, perched 2000m above sea level! These ten stylish igloo suites would positively gush over the romantic candlelight dinners, marriage proposals and flutes of champagne. They’d also regale you with tales of newfound love and unforgettable nights spent in a cosy VAUDE twin sleeping bag. Or rejuvenating trips to the sauna, complete with a panoramic view of the snow-covered Zillertal valley landscape. And once a week, the igloos could fill you in on Zillertal’s hottest party. Not forgetting, of course, to tell you about how those intrepid souls venture forth from the igloo village – bright-eyed from a good night’s sleep – to make their first tracks on the freshly-groomed and empty Ahorn pistes.

If igloos could talk…oh, the things they’d have to say about the Mayrhofen White Lounge, perched 2000m above sea level! These ten stylish igloo suites would positively gush over the romantic candlelight dinners, marriage proposals and flutes of champagne. They’d also regale you with tales of newfound love and unforgettable nights spent in a cosy VAUDE twin sleeping bag. Or rejuvenating trips to the sauna, complete with a panoramic view of the snow-covered Zillertal valley landscape. And once a week, the igloos could fill you in on Zillertal’s hottest party. Not forgetting, of course, to tell you about how those intrepid souls venture forth from the igloo village – bright-eyed from a good night’s sleep – to make their first tracks on the freshly-groomed and empty Ahorn pistes.

The next winter season in one of Europe’s largest snowparks is just around the corner – and anticipation of freestylers far and wide is reaching fever pitch. With five distinct lines to choose from, snowboarders can mix and match to their heart’s content – and let’s not forget the halfpipe. No wonder Vans Penken Park in Mayrhofen is considered the epicentre of the international freestyle scene, setting standards across Europe in terms of performance. Even better: in the Winter 2008/09 season, freestyle novices can take advantage of a completely redesigned “kids’ park”. The obstacle course features nine new challenges for beginners to get some experience under their belts – or snowsuits.

It’s already a legend. With an average incline of 78 per cent, this slope is steeper than an “inrun”. Yes, that’s the starting ramp used in ski jumping. Even the most seasoned skier finds the Harakiri challenging. Whether you take on the Harakiri on two skis or a snowboard, take a deep breath – a very deep breath. Looking down from the highest point, the eye quickly focuses, like looking through a tunnel. Your belief in your own ability must be as clear as the white snow below. So don’t come here if you’re a beginner, or inexperienced on the slopes – if you are, this part of Penken “Action Mountain” is a no-go area.

Two years after the official opening, the Ahornbahn in Mayrhofen is already a defining feature of Zillertal. It only takes 6½ minutes for this queen of ski lifts to transport 160 people up onto Mount Ahorn, the “Leisure Mountain”. When it was built, the engineers were at pains to make sure the sophisticated lift blended in harmoniously with the countryside. Their exemplary efforts, and the state-of-the-art technology used on the lift, have already earned the Ahornbahn two major architectural prizes. Within seconds of starting the 2000 metre high journey, passengers in Austria’s biggest gondola car can’t help but notice that these are the most unique 40 square metres on the whole of Leisure Mountain.

This year’s Ästhetiker Jam riders make jumping over all-new obstacles look effortless as they glide along the terrain full of poise. From 1-8 March 2008, the world’s snowboarding elite will gather in Vans Penken Park in Mayrhofen to crown one of their own as the most dexterous, the most original. And Mayrhofen guests can do more than ooh and aah – they’re welcome to discover how many manoeuvres are much easier than they look. For the first time, the professionals’ Contest Park is open to every adventurous snowboarder and skier. And with plenty of events (including the colossal skateboard contest), concerts and DJ happenings of all sorts, crazy parties and even crazier art exhibits, there’s something for everyone – from sunup to sundown.

On the one hand: sport and adventure in the Vans Penken Park, the spark of the slopes of Penken Action Mountain, cooling off in the White Lounge, some smooth carves on the wide slopes of Ahorn ‘Leisure Mountain’, nightlife in the centre of town. On the other: welcoming Tyroleans, winter romance and a chance to relax. The winter venue of Zillertal is renowned way beyond the Alps for mountain holidays that play to all the senses.

It may take a while to adjust to the dim candlelight but you soon start to make out shapes, shadows flickering across soft snowy sculptures – you’re inside a snowy cave. Outside your igloo suite you embark on a day in the deep snow of the Mayrhofen mountains. Caressed by the warm winter sunshine, 2000 metres above sea level, cradled in every corner by the breathtaking peaks of the upper Zillertal valley, the residents of the igloo village greet the day from their sun-drenched deckchairs before taking to the slopes of the Ahorn. The pistes are still empty at this early hour and immaculately prepared by the snow groomer. Back at the igloo delicious drinks await you, plus crazy parties and probably the most exclusive accommodation in the Alps – complete with sauna, a dining igloo and breakfast. Opening at January 2008, the White Lounge on the Ahorn Leisure Mountain promises the perfect end to a perfect day’s skiing.

Pure freestyle mania – that’s what snowboarders and freeskiers can look forward to in the Winter 2007/08 season at Mayrhofen. To kick off the new partnership with Vans, a highly trusted label in boardsports, designers revamped the snow park to include demanding obstacles and turned an entire piste into a giant snow park complete with a ‘chill-out area’. Now, with its new rails, kickers, fun boxes and frames – plus four distinct lines (Public, Fun, Pro and Jib) to let loose on, the Vans Penken Park is ideal for beginners and professionals. The four-seat Sunjet chairlift ascends to lofty heights; perhaps Funjet would be a more apt name as it spans the entire length of the park, so you can get in plenty of runs and delight in breathtaking views. With Vans on board as partner for the snow park, Mayrhofen is perfectly positioned to establish itself as an international mecca in the freestyle scene.

For winter sports enthusiasts the day begins up on Penken Action Mountain – under the morning sun tackling the Harakiri, Austria’s steepest ski slope (and now an international cult must-ski). By noon you are savouring freestyle heaven – strutting your stuff on the jibs in the Vans Penken Park (which has now also been upgraded and enlarged). By the afternoon join other snow pilgrims, probably up on Ahorn Leisure Mountain, cruising down the wide slopes before crowning a day for the memory books – watching the sun go down from the Mayrhofen Cable Car’s White Lounge. Relax, enjoy a drink, and chill to hot music. To round off your stay in Mayrhofen to perfection, you could even spend a night in the sophistication of sculpted ‘igloo suites’. Zillertal’s world-famous winter resort has everything you could wish for on a wonderful winter’s day in the mountains.

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