Learn to ski and party on.

Publication: Irish Daily Star
Date: 2009-07-10
Author: Mark Kavanagh

Snow fun like going on piste. Learn to ski and then party on.

I learned to ski in Austria’s Mayrhofen and it was a fantastic experience thanks to its highly recommended ski school and its entertaining après ski activities.

Located just outside Innsbruck, transfer time from the airport to the quaint and traditional Austrian village took less than and hour.

The centre of the resort is lively with a peaceful and friendly atmosphere and amiable, largely German, Irish and British clientele who were as chilled as the surroundings.

It’s so laid back and ideal for families that there is no need for hotel safes or worrying about your belongings. The resort guarantees snow for entire season (with the occasional assistance of man-made white powder).

Beginners can discover how to master the slopes on the abundance of red and blue runs on its Penken and Ahorn pistes. There are also 22km of black runs for experienced. An intermediate skier, and advanced black slope master and an adventurous snowboarder accompanied this novice and all three found enough action on and off piste to keep them happy throughout the week.

There is a 10-minute cable-car ride to the top of Ahorn from where the view is breath-taking, while there us a very fast gondola to the Penken Summit that can transport 160. The Ahorn is much busier, but there are far more runs to choose from. It is here you will find the many great ski schools. Penken is a nice open place for afternoon practice. It boasts a fantastic bar built inside an igloo where once a week there is a late-night party with DJ’s and people raving out in the snow 2,000 feet from the ground.

For the rest of the season, the après ski fun offers plenty of action until the small hours. There are pubs and clubs for all persuasions and plenty of good restaurants. Food and drink are reasonably priced and the service is as amiable as a charming Irish country town.

Back to "What the Papers Say"