Spring skiing in Austria? It has to be Mayrhofen…

Mayrhofen has always been popular with the British and it attracts cool boarders, stylish skiers, wobbly beginners and those looking to push themselves to the next level. From the town, there are two mountains to choose from; Penken and Ahorn. The former is larger and more popular whereas the latter is more suitable for kids as it has dedicated areas and lifts for the youngest skiers. 

The Penken mountain has a new gondola to carry eager skiers and boarders to a height of 1,790m  From here, the views are pretty impressive as you have the expansive area at your tips just waiting to be explored. And you can get about quickly too as the modern lift system is fast meaning more downhill time and less queue time.

The size of the area also means the slopes are actually quieter than you would expect as everyone disperses after the initial busy period. A real bonus around Easter time.

Mayrhofen is a pretty lively resort with an excellent choice of après bars, restaurants, pubs and even a couple of clubs. If you like live music, top DJs and on-the-slope parties, Snowbombing festival is for you. It’s held towards the end of the season so you can enjoy the fantastic spring skiing conditions during the day and start the party on the piste at around 3pm. 

There is also a strong emphasis on relaxation at the festival. There are mountainside yoga sessions and a whole variety of spas and heated terrace pools to relax and unwind in. 

It’s not all about the après though. Take a guided tour to a magical world beneath the slopes and discover a glacial crevasse with incredible ice stalactites, giant sparkling ice crystals, frozen waterfalls and even a glacial lake. A trip that shouldn’t be missed.

What you really want on a late season ski and board holiday is guaranteed snow. Fear not, as the nearby Hintertux glacier at 3,250m provides 60km of skiing all year round. The last few years have also seen some pretty healthy snowfall in April with up to 60cm falling. Combine this with the excellent snow making facilities in the area and your late-March, early-April trip should have some decent snow!

One thing to also bear in mind is that towards the end of the season, many mountain restaurants and bars offer discounts and the hire equipment and lift pass also tend to be a bit cheaper too. Just another reason to head to Mayrhofen for a late season ski holiday.