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Adventure Destination Guide | Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

New lifts and recently opened hotels have taken this breath-taking and somewhat secret domain up another level

Featured Image Credit: C. Jorda

Few things in life are certain. But the guarantee of snow and good times in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is one of those things. Crowned by the Zugspitze glacier, lined with 142km of all-abilities runs (expanding to 213km with a Top Snow Card lift pass) and offering a range of apres activities, this beautiful domain of seven villages has everything you’d expect from a winter week, with one added benefit – it’s still relatively under-the-radar when compared to its Austrian neighbours. But it won’t be that way forever, especially with the introduction of new hotels and lifts for the upcoming season. Read on, and discover a hidden gem before everyone else does…

How To Get There

Being right on the border of Austria and Germany (the Zugspitze being Germany’s highest mountain at 2,962m), centre your flight search on Innsbruck (1hr 15min drive) and Munich (2hr drive). Both airports are well serviced by British Airways and EasyJet.

Why Go

Tucked up in the north of the Tirol region, the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is a bit of a winter snow secret for the smart-booking families of mainland Europe. The all-abilities pistes and graciously affordable prices here make it a real winner for those looking to get their kids on skis.

With Ehrwalder Almbahn and Ehrwalder Wettersteinbahnen being certified family ski areas, as well as a variety of other ski areas, there’s more than enough in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena to keep everyone in your group happy.

“It really is impossible to not feel like you’re winning at life when you’re out here”

And the cherry on the cake? That jaw-dropping scenery you’ve come to expect from this part of the world, accessed by a great network of lifts including the very new Obere Karbahn in Berwang – a 10-person gondola with middle station and mountain restaurant. It really is impossible to not feel like you’re winning at life when you’re out here.

Credit: C. Jorda

Where To Stay

Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is made up of seven ski resorts which, whilst not all connected by lifts, are serviced regularly by a free shuttle as part of your lift pass. With that in mind, you want to select the village to sleep in carefully. For example, if you’re destined for parks and freeride, Ehrwald is calling.

After a day spinning around the best park in the region and some deep pow action on the Issentalkopf, return home to the new-for-2019 and super comfortable Zugspitz Resort Ehrwald, where you can enjoy its Swiss pine snug, and epic views across the Zugspitze mountain. If steep pistes are your thing, base your hotel search around the village of Berwang. The Sporthotel Singer and Bergpension Ski Lounge should definitely feature in your search here.

The four-star Hotel Edelweiss in Lermoos is also worth a mention in discussions of where to stay in this neck of the woods as its situated just four minutes from the nearest ski lifts and offers visitors two swimming pools, as well as spa and sauna treatment.

For more information on Tiroler Zugspitz Arena’s accommodation options, head here.

Credit: C. Jorda

Eating and Drinking

Complimenting the family skiing on offer in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena is the family-focused restaurant scene. And with 40 mountain huts lining the pistes of the domain, you’ve got plenty to choose from. A lunching local’s favourite in Berwang is Kögele Hütte, with the Speckknödelsuppe (a bacon-dumpling soup) being the order of the day, every day.

A great meeting point, when at the Ehrwalder Wettersteinbahnen, is at the top of Sonnenhang Sunracer lift, where the relatively new W1 Ski Lounge awaits with its huge sun terrace. If you’re got any waist space left come dinner time, try out the excellent burgers at WAS Cooking in Biberwier. Then again, if tried, tested, and traditional is on the cards, Ehrwald’s Holzerstubn gets two thumbs up from locals and visitors alike – who return here time and time again for the meaty fare and cosy wood-panelled inn vibes.

Après Action

Let’s cut to the chase – if it’s after-hours parties you want, Ehrwald is where you’ll best get it in the generally very laid-back Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. The Tirolerhaus is always a good start, especially on a Saturday where live music is commonplace. After that, The Caledonian is your classic alpine Irish pub, Schirmbar is in the centre of the village of Ehrwald and is tonnes of fun, and the Ganghoferhütte, on the piste, offers live music on certain days too.

Hit This Run

Spend an afternoon honing your grinds and spins in the pro-designed Snowpark Ehrwalder Alm. Jumps range in size, and there’s a whole load of boxes, table tops and rails to test out, so no matter whether you’re a beginner or veteran, you’ll definitely leave with a new trick under your belt.

Take This Quiz To Find Out What Type Of Skier You Are

Get your perfect ski day itinerary for the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena by answering the questions below.

For more information on the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, visit the area’s official website.

For more information on Austria, head here.

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