Ready, set, go! Active winter holiday in Zillertal

Creating the very first tracks in the snow early in the morning, feeling the fresh air on your skin and a unique alpine panorama all around you … This is the start to a perfect skiing day. But it takes a bit more to fully enjoy the mountaintops. You can experience what that is in Zillertal in Tyrol. The valley combines fun in the snow in every conceivable form with mountain cabin fun, romantic excursions and off-piste action. The following is an inspiration of what it takes to make the winter holiday with your loved ones perfect.

Hintertuxer Glacier: What the King of the Valley has to offer

A valley that guarantees piste fun? Zillertal makes that possible: thanks to the Hintertuxer Glacier. An impressive natural phenomenon involving ice and snow and at the same time Austria’s only year-round ski resort. From the summit you enjoy an impressive view of the vastness of the Tyrolean Alps, while the 60 kilometres of pistes are an ideal place to really exert yourself. From October to May, Freeride descents with powder snow are a thrilling ride for deep-snow fans, while freestylers can try new stunts in the Betterpark Hintertux from April to early June as well as from September to December.

Magical ice directly beneath the ski piste

How about a nature experience that goes deep down? Yet another marvel that the up to 120-metre thick Hintertuxer Glacier offers. 25 meters beneath the piste, the Natur Eis Palast
(Nature’s Ice Palace) can be explored all year round. This accessible glacial crevice is unique and only exists thanks to a natural peculiarity. At the site of the Natur Eis Palast, the glacier is frozen. This alone allowed a cave including a lake to form. Sparkling ice crystals, a crystal-clear ice lake and mystical legends about giants: You couldn’t ask for more magical ice!

Zillertal breaks records

Carving, wedeling, speeding and also jumping is possible in Zillertal on a total of 535 km of pistes of all difficulty levels and in numerous snow parks. And a further record is notable in that context. The descent to Zell am Ziller within the Zillertal Arena ski resort forms the longest valley run in Austria – its distance amounts to nearly ten kilometres. That means no mercy on your calves! Choosing a ticket is super easy by the way: The Zillertal Superskipass combines all four large skiing areas and thus promises unlimited fun on the slopes.

The right setting for a confession

A stop at a mountain restaurant is perfect for telling your loved ones about your progress on the slopes, but also retelling your most embarrassing whoopsy-daisies. And you should definitely not miss out on a cup of mulled wine or hot cocoa. Both are available in any one of the 80 serviced huts in the ski areas, where Kaiserschmarrn and dumpling varieties are also offered. Exclusive moments are promised at the Kristalhütte cabin in the Hochzillertal ski area, for example. This cool and trendy place has a cosy feeling and offers guests après-ski fun with a certain VIP factor. For fans of fine cuisine, a visit to one of the ten award-winning Tyrolean inns in Zillertal is also worthwhile.

Zillertal offers much more than just skiing

Anyone who believes that a winter holiday only takes place on the slopes does not know Zillertal. 16 different providers ensure plenty of action by taking adrenaline junkies up to lofty heights with a paraglider, for example. You shouldn’t be afraid of heights, however.

Try something new

For those who prefer to stay on the ground, a different excursion will require pure muscle strength to get you up the mountain. For the ski tour walks do without cable cars. Your reward? Pure nature and a descent away from the hustle and bustle. A bit of skill and need for speed is also required to pirouette on the nine ice rinks, when cross-country skiing or racing down one of the 14 toboggan runs. Furthermore, two indoor golf courses, a climbing hall and bouldering halls as well as a winter alpine climb await anyone seeking adventure. Hardcore climbers can chase their limits at any one of the numerous frozen waterfalls.

Zillertal’s other side

You’ve had your fill of pistes and parties? Then more than 460 km of hiking trails await you – leading you across the glistening mountain landscape. Snowshoe hiking gives you an idea of what winter in the valley was like hundreds of years ago. Every step is accompanied by the crunching of the snow beneath your feet while you can see your breath and if you are very quiet you can feel your own heartbeat and nature’s calming effect on you. A ride on a romantic horse-drawn carriage with a bit of kitsch is just as idyllic.

So far and yet so near 

Zillertal in the west of Austria can be reached within a few hours from numerous European big cities. Both the Innsbruck airport and those in Munich and Salzburg are close to the active ski valley. It is only an hour’s drive from Innsbruck or two hours from Munich and Salzburg to Zillertal. When you arrive, you can already lean back and relax for the Four Seasons airport shuttle service provides a direct transfer from the airport to your accommodation and back. 

With all the action-packed activities, relaxing moments and typical Tyrolean delicacies, there is no way around perfect winter stay in the Zillertal. So, pack your favourite vacation companion and get going! Come get a taste of mountain cabin fun and more at: www.zillertal.at