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Introduction
One of skiing's most famous names, Kitzbühel is a very attractive, traditional resort that fits everyone's idealised image of what a ski resort should look like. Famous mountains including the Hahnenkamm, site of the famous annual race, and the Kitzbüheler Horn rise up around the Tirolean chalets that make up most of the town.
Although synonymous with skiing, the first downhillers having arrived in the resort in the early 1880s, Kitzbühel's history dates back for millennia before the arrival of snow sports. Today, as one of the lowest major ski areas in the Alps, the resort is often cited as one of the first that may have to cope in an era after winter sports, if global warming continues to take hold.
Perhaps with this partly in mind, the resort has been spending heavily on some excellent new lifts that make accessing the highest slopes easier than ever, as well as on snowmaking and non-ski facilities including a wonderful new sports centre and a casino.
Although synonymous with skiing, the first downhillers having arrived in the resort in the early 1880s, Kitzbühel's history dates back for millennia before the arrival of snow sports. Today, as one of the lowest major ski areas in the Alps, the resort is often cited as one of the first that may have to cope in an era after winter sports, if global warming continues to take hold.
Perhaps with this partly in mind, the resort has been spending heavily on some excellent new lifts that make accessing the highest slopes easier than ever, as well as on snowmaking and non-ski facilities including a wonderful new sports centre and a casino.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 800m (2,625ft).
Top elevation: Kitzbühel: 2,000m (6,562ft); Kitzbüheler Alpen: 2,050m (6,726ft).
Base elevation: Kitzbühel: 800m (2,625ft); Kitzbüheler Alpen: 640m (2,100ft).
Number of lifts: Kitzbühel: 56; Kitzbüheler Alpen: 247.
Number of runs: Kitzbühel:60; Kitzbüheler Alpen: 200+.
Average annual snowfall: 1.8m (6ft).
Where in the world?
Kitzbühel is located in the Tirolean province of northwestern Austria, within the Kitzbüheler Alps.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid December until mid April.
Kitzbühel's giant ski area can offer much to satisfy all needs, from gentle nursery slopes to guides happy to take experts to some of the most difficult off-piste powder. Most experienced skiers will want to visit the famous Streif run on the Hahnemkamm, scene of famous races each January since the 1930s, attracting huge crowds as one of Austria's biggest sporting events.
Kitzbühel was the first resort to offer a ‘ski safari' more than 50 years ago, with the concept of skiing in a circuit from one mountain to the next, rather than returning over the same slopes. Kitzbühel's own ski safari is still a work in progress, with the installation of a spectacular new gondola, the 3S Bahn, in December 2004 which made a final key link as well as setting world records for its highest point above the valley floor (400m/1,312ft), and the length of cable between lift towers. For the 2007/8 season the entire ski safari route has snowmaking coverage for the first time.
Kitzbühel is also part of several larger ‘ski regions' for those looking for still more than its own extensive slopes. The Ki-West area lift-links, more or less (there's a short bus transfer), Kitzbühel's ski area to that of the neighbouring SkiWelt region. This brings a combined area with more than 400km (250 miles) of piste, one of the world's largest. Bigger still is the Kitzbüheler Alpen ticket (minimum duration six days) which takes in all that and more neighbouring ski areas to offer over 700km (437 miles) of runs.
Kitzbühel's giant ski area can offer much to satisfy all needs, from gentle nursery slopes to guides happy to take experts to some of the most difficult off-piste powder. Most experienced skiers will want to visit the famous Streif run on the Hahnemkamm, scene of famous races each January since the 1930s, attracting huge crowds as one of Austria's biggest sporting events.
Kitzbühel was the first resort to offer a ‘ski safari' more than 50 years ago, with the concept of skiing in a circuit from one mountain to the next, rather than returning over the same slopes. Kitzbühel's own ski safari is still a work in progress, with the installation of a spectacular new gondola, the 3S Bahn, in December 2004 which made a final key link as well as setting world records for its highest point above the valley floor (400m/1,312ft), and the length of cable between lift towers. For the 2007/8 season the entire ski safari route has snowmaking coverage for the first time.
Kitzbühel is also part of several larger ‘ski regions' for those looking for still more than its own extensive slopes. The Ki-West area lift-links, more or less (there's a short bus transfer), Kitzbühel's ski area to that of the neighbouring SkiWelt region. This brings a combined area with more than 400km (250 miles) of piste, one of the world's largest. Bigger still is the Kitzbüheler Alpen ticket (minimum duration six days) which takes in all that and more neighbouring ski areas to offer over 700km (437 miles) of runs.
Beyond the slopes
Although a ski centre for more than a century, Kitzbühel offers much, much more.
The new spa and indoor pool (the Aquarena) is a major attraction with cascade, adventure slides, sauna, hamman, massage, acupuncture massage, kneipp baths, tanning room, nudist deck, heated beds, reflexology, mud packs, Turkish baths, medical baths, underwater massage, pedicure, lymph drainage and many more spa treatments. This is one of several spa and beauty centres in the resort.
The Sports Hall Kitzbühel has an indoor ice rink, curling and climbing wall. There's also a cinema, casino, bowling and three museums in the resort.
Back outdoors there's another long list of alternatives to downhill snow sports including snowshoeing, tobogganing, Nordic walking, sleigh rides and snowmobiling. Or take to the air with ballooning or paragliding.
The new spa and indoor pool (the Aquarena) is a major attraction with cascade, adventure slides, sauna, hamman, massage, acupuncture massage, kneipp baths, tanning room, nudist deck, heated beds, reflexology, mud packs, Turkish baths, medical baths, underwater massage, pedicure, lymph drainage and many more spa treatments. This is one of several spa and beauty centres in the resort.
The Sports Hall Kitzbühel has an indoor ice rink, curling and climbing wall. There's also a cinema, casino, bowling and three museums in the resort.
Back outdoors there's another long list of alternatives to downhill snow sports including snowshoeing, tobogganing, Nordic walking, sleigh rides and snowmobiling. Or take to the air with ballooning or paragliding.
Family fun
With its areas of wide, easy ski slopes and the huge choice of places to eat and off-slope activities that all ages can enjoy together, Kitzbühel is a good choice for families.
Surprisingly there is no organised nursery for the youngest children although a list of babysitters is available from the tourist office. Children aged three and up can join special ski kindergartens run by the ski schools.
Surprisingly there is no organised nursery for the youngest children although a list of babysitters is available from the tourist office. Children aged three and up can join special ski kindergartens run by the ski schools.
Retail therapy
Kitzbühel has over 40 stores, most of them concentrated in the resort centre, so is a good choice for shoppers.
Along with a wide selection of sports and fashion boutiques, there are a number of outlets for regional crafts including Rass (Hornweg 18) for wood carvings.
Along with a wide selection of sports and fashion boutiques, there are a number of outlets for regional crafts including Rass (Hornweg 18) for wood carvings.
Après ski
With plenty to do off the slopes, Kitzbühel has a far wider range of nightlife options than most ski resorts. For party people the choice includes more than 40 bars, the recently opened casino and four nightclubs. However many of the activities listed in Beyond the Slopes (see above) are also available in the evening.
Kitzbühel is not quite a 24-hour resort, but it comes close. Amongst the bar choices are Jimmys (Vorderstadt 31), nearby Mangoes (Vorderstadt 17), which has a slightly surreal tropical theme, and for sports fans Sigi's (Jochbergerstrasse 12).
Kitzbühel is not quite a 24-hour resort, but it comes close. Amongst the bar choices are Jimmys (Vorderstadt 31), nearby Mangoes (Vorderstadt 17), which has a slightly surreal tropical theme, and for sports fans Sigi's (Jochbergerstrasse 12).
Eating out
There are more than 60 places to eat in Kitzbühel, with many of the restaurants in the pedestrianised resort centre.
There's a far more cosmopolitan mix of dining styles available than in most ski resorts. For example Ali Baba's Imbiss (Jochbergerstrasse 3) serves Turkish cuisine, Bellini (Hornweg 4) makes its own antipasti and serves noodles and pizza and La Fonda (Hinterstadt 13) has Mexican food.
There are of course plenty of places to try Tirolean and other Austrian specialities. Rasmushof (Ried Ecking 15) is an old-style stube (traditional Tirolean bar) with open fireplace. Hagstein (Hagsteinweg 95) uses home-grown ingredients and will supply duck to order.
There's a far more cosmopolitan mix of dining styles available than in most ski resorts. For example Ali Baba's Imbiss (Jochbergerstrasse 3) serves Turkish cuisine, Bellini (Hornweg 4) makes its own antipasti and serves noodles and pizza and La Fonda (Hinterstadt 13) has Mexican food.
There are of course plenty of places to try Tirolean and other Austrian specialities. Rasmushof (Ried Ecking 15) is an old-style stube (traditional Tirolean bar) with open fireplace. Hagstein (Hagsteinweg 95) uses home-grown ingredients and will supply duck to order.
Getting around
A free ski bus (for lift pass holders) operates around the resort and to neighbouring ski areas including Aschau, Kirchberg, Aurach, Jochberg, Pass Thurn and Mittersill. The service is less frequent in low season.
Splashing out
Spend a day in the new wellness spa in the Hotel Tiefenbrunner (website: www.hotel-tiefenbrunner.at). Equipped with all the latest facilities, Kitzbühel's renowned Grander water is used and you can swim in soothing waters or wind down in the Finnish and Bio saunas or the steam room whilst looking up at the imposing peak of the Kitzbüheler Horn.
Accommodation
Luxury
Harisch Hotel Weisses RösslCentrally located luxurious 5-star hotel built in a traditional chalet design.
Bichlstrasse 5
Tel: (05356) 71900.
Website: www.roesslkitz.at
Moderate
Edelweiss HotelWell located 3-star accommodation, close to lifts and resort centre, with ski-in access when snow cover is adequate.
Marchfeldgasse 2
Tel: (05356) 75252.
Website: www.tiscover.at/edelweiss.kitzbuehel
Budget
Hinterbräu HotelSmall resort centre hotel, close to everything and with generous room sizes.
Hinterstadt 22
Tel: (05356) 62166.
Website: www.hinterbraeu.at
Getting there
Nearest airports: Salzburg (SZG); Innsbruck (INN); Munich (MUC).
Distance to resort: 80km (50 miles); 90km (56 miles); 160km (100 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour; 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours.
Nearest railway station: Kitzbühel.
Distance to resort: 80km (50 miles); 90km (56 miles); 160km (100 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour; 1 hour 30 minutes; 2 hours.
Nearest railway station: Kitzbühel.
Website
This resort is good for...
Beginners, Intermediates, Après ski, Families, Snowboarders, Non-skiers, Experts
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