The historic Tirolean town of Kitzbühel has two claims to fame
which combine to make it a major attraction for skiers and non-skiers
worldwide. One is the stunningly picturesque town itself; the other is
the greatest World Cup downhill ski race in the world. Kitzbühel is
quite simply the perfect medieval setting for the ultimate winter
jousting match: the Streif descent on the celebrated Hahnenkamm.
Our Rating:
Advanced
***
Intermediate
****
Beginner
**
Kitzbühel has it all, except altitude. The skiing, which includes
the nearby villages of Kirchberg and Jochberg, as well as a separate
area, the Kitzbüheler Horn, is extensive, the après-ski formidable, the
visual impact dramatic, but at 760 m the resort is worryingly low.
During the lean snow years of the 1980s, this caused considerable
anxiety. After being forced to cancel the Hahnenkamm in 1964, 1988 and
1993 due to poor snow conditions, the Kitzbühel Lift Company installed
artificial snow-making equipment to provide total coverage along the
Streif and Ganslern runs, and the resort has subsequently built up a
considerable armoury of snow cannon.
On race weekends as many as 70,000
people pack the town centre; the nearby Rasmusleitn finish area is a
sea of red and white Austrian flags and post-race fireworks. Ironically
in January 2005 there was too much snow, accompanied by bad visibility,
to hold the downhill.
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Kitzbuhel at a glance
On the mountain
Ski area
Despite the justifiably fierce reputation of the Hahnenkamm, the
skiing around Kitzbühel is enjoyable, but not particularly challenging.more...
Lift system
The new Saukaser Valley gondola was a big step forward in the modernisation of Kitzbühel's lift system and the 2006/7 season sees a six seater covered chairlift at Ehrenbachhoehe, and another six seater at Hanglalm. more...
Ski school & guiding
There are six ski schools with state qualified
instructors in Kitzbühel itself, and 15 in the Kitzbühel region as a
whole.more...
Advanced
Once the Hahnenkamm races are over, you can usually ski
the whole course, but the steep sections are pretty savage. more...
Intermediate
Intermediates will thrive throughout the Kitzbühel region,
particularly in the Hahnenkamm area. more...
Beginner
Although Kitzbühel is, by and large, a friendly and unthreatening
resort, it is not ideal for beginners.more...
Boarding & freestyle
The Kitzbüheler Horn, with good
freeriding terrain, is the main focus for freestylers, freeriders, and
riders on alpine boards.more...
Mountain restaurants
Kitzbühel and the surrounding region has a vast choice of
on-mountain pit-stops, ranging from frugal simplicity to full-on
dining.more...
