Valley press text - Mayrhofen tourist office

In spite of winter arriving late around the world, guests can combine exciting skiing days on the glacier with attractive leisure activities and the feel of Christmas. Fantastic snowy days draw people to Tyrol's year-round ski area. Quiet moments draw visitors to the cosy forest fairground in Mayrhofen. At advent Mayrhofen is the ideal location to enjoy the days before Christmas in peace and quiet with the family.

Time is a gift – maybe one of the most valuable gifts there is. And it is intimately associated with inner peace, reflection and moments of joy. But all of these need the right environment. In Zillertal at Christmas, the locals slow things down and dedicate themselves to creating this environment. They celebrate Christmas the time-honoured way and remind themselves of its true meaning in the weeks before. During Advent, tradition is paramount at the Waldfestplatz square in Mayrhofen. It is a place of contemplation where guests marvel, relax and enjoy themselves. Candlelight, open fires, theatre performances and traditional Zillertal songs are the order of the day. One of these songs is already known the world over: “Silent Night” was made famous by the Strasser family of singers. A traditional musical in the Europahaus tells their story.

Get ready: Mayrhofen is about to be shaken to the core. That’s right – from 4-9 April this year, the 12th annual Snowbombing festival is back in town. Skiers, boarders and music-lovers will be descending on the picturesque Zillertal valley in droves, attracted by world-class acts like big-beat pioneers The Prodigy – plus club legends like Fatboy Slim, Pendulum, Liam Baley, The Milk and Henrik Schwarz. Over six unforgettable days, more than 100 big names from the international club scene will electrify the valley with throbbing beats and sick rhythms.

The Zillertal valley is well known as a top destination for action-packed winter sports breaks. But locals and insiders know that the region is also home to all kinds of secluded idylls and quiet corners – perfect for a relaxing getaway. Mayrhofen has plenty to offer away from the pistes: snowshoe hikes through charming winter landscapes, horse-drawn sleigh rides, even fabulous shopping on the village high street. Want to enjoy magical views of the valley? Then head over to Freiraum – the new convention and event centre on the Ahorn plateau, 2000 metres above sea level. The Freiraum café is open every day to everyone, so why not drop by, tuck in and enjoy the view! And for party lovers raring to dance the night away, the centre of Mayrhofen is home to no end of trendsetting bars and clubs.

Steeped in tradition, Maryhofen’s Advent Market takes its cues from the authentic approach of the Strasser family. This troupe of singers popularised the song ‘Silent Night – Holy Night’ and helped spread it far beyond the Zillertal – to the four corners of the globe! Candlelight and roaring fireplaces (without an electric socket in sight) add to the ambiance. Tranquillity is the common theme throughout this year’s events for young and old alike. Living nativity scenes and stage plays provide a welcome change of pace, and Zillertal music will warm hearts of all ages. Situated on Waldfestplatz, the Mayrhofen Advent Market is part of the Advent Austria initiative founded in 2007.

The father of big beat will grace the 11th annual Snowbombing, the unconventional alpine festival scheduled for 5 10 April 2010 in Mayrhofen. Fatboy Slim promises to rock the Zillertal peaks with his pumping beats and spectacular vocals. Plenty of big names in the club and festival scene, such as The Editors, The Doves, The Crookers, Adam Beyer and many more chart-toppers will also take the stage. Another top act will be the US trio De La Soul, co-founder of the Native Tongues hip-hop collective...

Whether you prefer ski touring, freeriding, or simply gliding down mile after mile of freshly prepared pistes, Mayrhofen has something for all kinds of skiers – from laid-back pleasure-seekers to hardcore adrenaline junkies. Fancy showing off with some freestyle acrobatics? Or would you rather relax in a sun-drenched deckchair and watch other skiers strut their stuff? Penken, the action mountain, and Ahorn, the leisure mountain, really do have something for everyone – ensuring every guest can enjoy their own personal winter wonderland. With slope after slope of untouched, powdery snow, and 159 kilometres of perfect pistes, Mayrhofen has everything it takes to get winter sports fans hot under the collar. Experienced skiers can test their mettle on Penken’s challenging ‘black pistes’ - including the infamous Harakiri slope – while beginners, pleasure-seekers and carving enthusiasts can have the broad, sunny pistes of Ahorn all to themselves. Not to mention Vans Penken Park, an international hot spot for freestyle skiers, plus the White Lounge igloo bar – the perfect way to wind down after a great day’s skiing...

The Advent period is the perfect time to discover the rich traditions of the Zillertal. When the first snow of the season falls, Mayrhofen instantly transforms into a winter paradise. In the quiet, contemplative weeks leading up to Christmas, the villagers bring ancient customs back to life: everything from the traditional Klöpflsänger, or carol singers, to the ferocious ‘Krampus rampage’! House after house in Mayrhofen is filled with the aroma of freshly baked treats and Christmas punch, creating the perfect Advent atmosphere for a holiday to remember. Guests can enjoy winter walks, toboggan rides, and culinary surprises in rustic guest houses - sure to bring back a childhood memory or two.

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...

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.

The biggest snowboarding events are coming to town; the best parties are happening in the mountains. From 31.03.08 – 06.04.08, the most diverse winter music festival in the Alps is once again taking place in Mayrhofen. At Snowbombing 2008 great live acts from London will be rocking in the mountains, and in Mayrhofen's streets and nightclubs.

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.

When the biggest snowboarding event descends on a town, the best parties descend on the whole mountain. The Alpine Winter Music Festival is being staged again in Mayrhofen from April 9 to 15. Snowbombing 2007 will include live bands such as Young Knives, Kid Carpet, and Cuban Brothers. Setting Mayhofen’s mountains, alleyways and nightclubs rocking to the rhythm will be DJs such as Annie Mac, Scratch Perverts, James Lavelle and DJ Zinc.