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One of the world’s most famous ski resorts, Kitzbühel in Austria has achieved legendary status among expert skiers as the home of the historic World Cup Hahnenkamm ski races and the famous Streif downhill course – one of the steepest in the world. This is the place where Dave Ryding became the first Briton to win the Alpine skiing World Cup in 2022.
Ski enthusiasts from all over the world come to Kitzbühel every year to follow in the professionals' tracks. With the highlights of the Hahnenkamm downhill race and the slalom, the most spectacular ski event will take place for the 83rd time from 16-22 January 2023.
But the 750-year-old town is more than just a ski resort. It's colourful and stylish, centred on a charming medieval quarter and filled with smart boutiques perfect for some retail therapy, swish hotels, award-winning restaurants, and offers top-class amenities both on and off the slopes and some rocking après ski. You can also indulge in all manner of culinary delights, surrounded by stunning panoramic views at one of the 60 huts and mountain restaurants.
With more than 125 years of successful skiing history – and a lengthy ski season running from mid-November to mid-April – winter sports are an intrinsic part of everyday life for the residents of Kitzbühel and its neighbouring villages of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg. Whether your heart belongs to piste skiing, or you like to blaze your own trail with ski touring, the Kitzbühel ski area has everything you need for a fantastic winter holiday.
Don’t miss... your own chance to ski the challenging Streif downhill run.
Skiing for everyone
While the 233 km of slopes in the Kitzski ski area do contain a number of good black runs, and some challenging off-piste, the majority of the slopes here are very well-suited to intermediates. With perfectly groomed slopes and a state-of-the-art lift system, skiing and snowboarding here is a joy at every level, from beginners to pro.
It’s also a town of short distances, giving easy access to everything you could want. You can ski straight from the mountain to the middle of the town, so getting around, seeing the sights and hitting the slopes is a breeze. Plus, the Hahnenkamm lift is just a three-minute walk from the town centre. Families will appreciate the free practice lifts on the nursery slopes in the valley – Rasmusleiten, Mocking, Ministreif (Kitzbühel), Hausleiten (Jochberg), Pass Thurn, Reith, and Aschau.
Away from the ski pistes, you can experience pure joie de vivre in a stunning natural setting. From leisurely ski touring through to challenging routes and prepared pistes to freeriding adventures, Kitzbühel has the perfect ski routes for all, including some top ski schools for beginners and young families.
It's not all downhill
Kitzbühel is the perfect place to explore pristine, snow-covered landscapes. Away from the piste, a fairytale winter paradise opens up, with 70km of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails, toboggan runs, curling matches on Austria’s only indoor curling rink, horse-drawn sleigh rides from the city centre or Schwarzsee, and relaxing wellness facilities for when you want to rest your ski legs. From 5 December Kitzbühel Tourism offers guided winter and snowshoe hikes through some of the most beautiful Alpine landscapes.
In town, Kitzbühel combines urban flair with typical Tirolean hospitality. There is a wide range of culinary diversity and sophisticated shopping opportunities in the historic city centre. Jewellery, fashion, art and design, as well as traditional craft shops, can be found within a short walking distance. Shopping and cuisine are as much a part of the 'Gamsstadt' as the Streif is part of the Hahnenkamm.
In the mountain huts and the traditional inns in the valley, simple, regional food is served hot and delicious. In the gourmet restaurants, on the other hand, elite chefs conjure up exquisite culinary delights. The restaurants in Kitzbühel range from rustic Tirolean inns, to award-winning restaurants that have received multiple international accolades, like the Tennerhof Gourmet & Spa de Charme Hotel.
During the run-up to Christmas, Kitzbühel's Advent Market brings its own winter fairy tale magic to the Hinterstadt as well as in the Stadtpark, with more than 30 stalls selling regional delicacies and traditional handicrafts, against a backdrop of music and mulled wine.
Wellness and well-being
Kitzbühel also offers you wonderful facilities for wellness, from panoramic swimming pools to steam baths and solariums to feelgood saunas - in the town's exclusive wellness hotels you will find all the ingredients for some 'me time'. A visit to the day spa promises a a spell of pure relaxation. If you prefer a more sporty approach, you will be in good hands in one of the numerous gyms or on the yoga mat.
How to get to Kitzbühel
Three train stations in Kitzbühel, a taxi service, simple connections to the nearby airports, and a well-established public transport network make it easy for you to get here.
Located in the heart of the Tirol region, framed by the Kitzbüheler Horn, the South Mountains and the famous Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel is reassuringly easy to reach from the UK, with regular flights from many regional airports to Innsbruck (95 km, 80 min), Salzburg (80 km, 75 min), and Munich, just over the border in Germany (15o km, 120 min). Various UK operators also offer ski holiday packages to Kitzbühel.
Kitzbühel in numbers
233km of slopes
96 pistes
57 lifts
60 mountain huts
70km of cross-country ski trails
For more information about skiing Kitzbühel this winter, go to austria.info/en/winter/kitzbuehel
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