You’ll be amazed at the amount of skiing you can access during a stay here. In the heart of the Zillertal valley, this small traditional village is a haven for those seeking a week away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and spending every last moment on the slopes.
The picturesque village, which is the home of Olympic skiing champion Leonhard Stock, also boasts a natural ice rink, which is sure to keep everyone entertained off the pistes.
A much quieter and cheaper alternative to its more well-known neighbour Mayrhofen, a stay in Finkenberg will give you access to all the same breath-taking terrain. Mayrhofen’s proximity is definitely worth taking advantage of. Just the other side of Penken, you can ski there in the day – though it comes alive at night when a five minute bus ride will take you to some of the best après ski parties in Europe; a must for night owls at least once during the week.
It’s also a very travel friendly resort- there are three airports an easy transfer away- Munich and Salzburg are both a two hour drive, whilst if you’re flying into Innsbruck you’re only an hour from the slopes when you land.
The standard ski pass for the area covers the Ski and Glacier World Zillertal 3000 area, which is impressive in its own right, but if you’re able to stay for longer than three days- which we assume you want to- then you’re automatically upgraded to the Zillertal SuperSkipass. This gives you access to almost 500km of pistes and 178 lifts including the Hintertux glacier- you’ll be doing very well indeed to cover it all in a week! Free use of all of the local ski busses is included as well, so you’ll be able to pop between resorts to your heart’s content.
Location: Austrian, Alps.
Established: 1969
Open: November- May
Downhill: 193 km
View our detailed Finkenberg snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Finkenberg snow history.
Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
Innsbruck | 80k, 60mins |
Munich | 200km, 120mins |
Salzburg | 175km, 120mins |
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Top Altitude: | 2095m |
Bottom Altitude: | 630m |
Resort Altitude: | 840m |
Longest run: | 5.5 km |
Slope Orientation: | NSEW |
Vertical Drop: | 1465m |
Skiable Vertical: | 1255m |
Night Skiing: | No |
Glacier: | Yes |
Downhill Runs: | 193 km |
Beginner slopes: | 28% |
Intermediate: | 51% |
Advanced slopes: | 21% |
Lift Pass Price: | € 224 (adult 6 day) |
Nearby resorts: Zillertal Superski, Mayrhofen, Zell am Ziller |
The Zillertal SuperSkipass gives you access to more terrain than you could possibly ski in your holiday- you’ll be desperate to come back next year to hit the rest of the slopes! One of the great selling points of Finkenberg is the great segregation between the beginner and advanced areas- no more nervous moments as the local ski team schuss past you as you’re creeping onto the slopes!
There are two separate areas that are great for beginners- mountains Ahorn & Eggalm. The gentle lifts and easy slopes of the Maple practice area are the perfect environment to clip in for the first time, or to get some confidence back after a lengthy absence from the slopes.
Then, progress to the Rastkogel- there are a great range of blues such as the Niederleger, and some minor reds for the adventurous that’ll prepare you for the next step up- the Penken Adventure Mountain. The majority of the runs here are reds- intermediates will have their skills tested by the mogully Nordhang, and the Gerent is a long and fast cruiser.
Advanced skiers will have their mettle tested on the fearsome Harikiri (it’s alarmingly named after a form of Japanese ritual suicide...). With an average gradient of 78%, it is the steepest groomed slope in Austria. Luckily, it’s not too long and the run-off is surprisingly gentle- even if you wipe out early on, you won’t have too far too fall... we’ve skied it and have survived to tell the tale (it’s not as bad as it sounds).
Snowboarders and freestylers will love the Vans Penken Park; it’s one of the best, and most famous, in the world. Taking up an entire face of the mountain, there are six areas tailored towards anyone from the complete novice to the consummate pro.
The après ski scene is in keeping with a town of its size and is more quiet and cosy than an all-out party town. However, there are some great places to eat and drink on the mountain and with Mayrhofen just a bus ride away, the more seasoned party goer has ample opportunities just around the corner.
The Igloo Bar at the Ahorn Plateau is a great place for a drink at the end of your day on the slopes. Enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks whilst you relax on the sun terrace with a stein of cold beer. After a tour of the igloo village you’ll be even more grateful of your warm hotel that evening!
The area’s leading après bar is the Laterndl, where you’re sure to have ‘a hell of a lot of fun’. It’s no idle boast either- great bar food, regular drink deals and nightly DJ’s ensure that whether you’re there for a quick pint or the whole evening, you’ll end up having a great time.
The restaurant at the Hotel Kristall has become a local favourite under the watchful eye of the head chef Thomas Buchsteiner. Awarded the AMA Gastro seal of approval for its commitment to high quality locally sourced ingredients- many from its own farm- the traditional menu is sure to warm you on a cold winters eve.
The natural ice rink at the base station if the Finkenberg Almbahnen cable car is a great place to spend the evening. The more laid back will be keen to try curling on one of the natural lanes marked on the ice, if you’ve still got some energy left, you’ll soon find out that skating on a natural rink is a great way to spend an evening under the stars.
The Hintertux glacier just around the corner is one of the few places in Europe where you can legitimately ski 12 months a year. Whenever you’re planning on travelling this winter, you’re likely to be spoilt for snow, especially considering that the snow making network on the lower slopes is also incredibly comprehensive. There are some great sun terraces all over the mountain which lend themselves to later season skiing- the views from the Hochleger are particularly impressive. Mayrhofen gets crowded during the height of the holiday season due to its lasting popularity with British tourists, and staying in Finkenberg you’ll notice the overflow. However the gain in lift lines is more than made up for by the buzz in the busy village.
Spend Christmas in Finkenberg and enjoy the tranquillity of waking up on Christmas morning in a winter wonderland. Finkenberg Christmas ski holidays ‣
New Year in Finkenberg is assured to be one that you’ll remember for years to come, whether you’re planning a big night out in Mayrhofen, or just relaxing under the stars with your loved ones. Finkenberg New Year ski holidays ‣
February Half Term in Finkenberg is a paradise for families of all ages. There’s enough skiing for all the family, and the kids will have the time of their lives playing in the snowy village. Finkenberg Half Term ski holidays ‣
There’s likely to be plenty of snow left this Easter in Finkenberg, due to the high altitude skiing and snow sure slopes, and the less hardened skiers amongst you will be well catered for by the sun terraces all over the mountains. Finkenberg Easter ski holidays ‣
Parents and kids alike are sure to enjoy their holiday in Finkenberg this year, regardless of their ages and previous skiing experience.
Younger children will love the Child Park at the mountain station of the Eggalmbahnen. There’s a babylift and magic carpet to get them around, as well as fun activities such as tubing and a carousel if they need a little break form skiing. The Bear Route is a great way for them to broaden their horizons- it’s a lovely gentle blue run that leads all the way into the village.
There are various ski schools that all offer specialised tuition for children of all ages- children from as young as three can receive lessons in groups or privately, and there’s a range of courses for everyone.
Parents and older children also have a great choice when it comes to lessons. Some of the ski schools in Finkenberg are now offering a more varied range of lessons- such as freestyle, freeriding, steeps and moguls- so if Dad needs to prove he can still keep up with the kids then these will give him the helping hand he needs!
The Playarena just around the corner in Tux will keep everyone entertained off the slopes. With an impressive array of activities ranging from climbing to trampolining to table football, any excess energy left after a day on the slopes will be burned off in no time at all!
A stay in a hotel that offers at least half board gives the whole family a break from chores for the week- many can also arrange childcare over your stay if Mum and Dad fancy a romantic meal one evening- give us a quick call and we can see what we can find for you in the area.
If you’re travelling with a group of likeminded hard-core skiers, then look no further than Finkenberg this winter. You’ll be free to make your own entertainment in the evenings, and enjoy the quiet surroundings knowing you won’t be woken up by late night revellers ahead of a big day on the slopes.
The amount of skiing on offer is by far the biggest selling point of the area, with a total of almost 500km of pistes available for those who upgrade to the Zillertal SuperSkipass (find out if they’re still upgrading to this pass for free after 3 days).
Whatever tickles your fancy on the slopes, you’ll be able to ski or board to your heart’s content. The Vans Penken Park is one of the best in the world, Ahorn’s gentle runs and cool bars make it a haven for adult beginners, and some of the off piste bowls around Mayrhofen will keep the experts of the group entertained long after the most recent snowfall.
With free bus travel to all of the other resorts covered by the pass- Hochfügen- Hochzillertal, Spieljoch, Mayrhofen and the Zillertal Arena – you’ve got no excuse to ski the same slopes twice, though we’re sure you’ll have a few favourites by the end of the week.
Staying in a hotel is an excellent choice if you’re travelling in a group- you should all be able to stay together even if you’re part of a larger party. You’ll also be able to enjoy your own space in the mornings, whilst taking advantage of the larger communal areas together later in the day. Pick a package with flights included if you’re desperate to get to the slopes straight away, or choose a self-drive holiday if you want the journey to be part of the adventure.
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