Your guide to Kitzbuhel Ski Resort in Austria

(760m - 1995m)

★★★	Beginner
★★★★	Intermediate
★★★	Advanced
★★★	Off-Piste
★★★	Snowboarding
★★	Snow Reliability
★★★	Extent
★★★★	Apres-Ski
★★★★	Mountain Restaurants
★★★★	Scenery
★★★★★	Village Charm
★★★★	Non-Skiers

Ski Lifts	52
Resort Altitude	760m
Pistes	170kms
Ski Range	760m – 1995m
Green Runs	–
Blue Runs	21
Red Runs	25
Black Runs	13

Local Lift Pass	–
Area Lift Pass	€213 – €266 (6 days)
Transfer Time	Innsbruck 1hr 30mins, Saltzburg 1hr 45mins
Transfer Day	Saturday
Tourist Board	Website
Weather	View detailed snow forecast for Kitzbühel at: snow-forecast.com Snow Report
Webcam	Webcam
Piste Map	Piste Map

The Slopes

From the village most people will want to take the Hahnenkammbahn gondola, which takes you to the Hahnenkamm area of Kitzbuhel. From here two red runs lead directly back to the village. Alternatively from here you can try the Hahnenkamm downhill course, but it is really only suitable for advanced intermediates or expert skiers.

From the Hahnenkamm area via the Steinbergkogel lift the next area of Pengelstein is accessed. Here a variety of different runs for all abilities can be tackled. There are some long blues which wind down the mountain finishing in the neighbouring villages of Klausen, Kirchberg and Skirast. From each of these villages a gondola takes you back up to the main Pengelstein area. There are also some tricky black runs located here which expert skiers will want to try and are served by the Pengelstein II and Steinbergkogel chairlifts.

At Pengelstein the 3S gondola links Kitzbuhel’s main slopes to those at Wurzhoe which are situated above the resort of Jochberg. Here the slopes are mainly a mixture of blue and red runs which lead down into the village. A lift from Jochberg gives access back to Wurzhoe.

Continue beyond Wurzhoe and you will come across the Resterhoe sector. This is a small area mainly comprised of short blue runs and a few longer reds, however this sector arguably has the fewest crowds and best snow in the whole Kitzbuhel area, so it is well worth making the trip.

Kitzbuhel’s final area Kitzbuheler Horn is accessed via the Hornbahn gondola from the other side of Kitzbuhel. At the top of Kitzbuheler Horn are some cruisey blue and red runs, including a blue, red and black run leading back to the town. There are also several very short blue runs for near beginners to progress on to.

Apres-Ski

There’s something for everyone in Kitzbuhel when it comes to apres ski, it has a vibrant nightlife whether you are looking for loud clubs and bars, cafes with teatime delicacies or trendy cocktails and nightclub haunts.

Popular bars include The Londoner Pub, The Stamperl and Jimmy’s - a trendy cocktail bar. There is of course on offer the traditional warming drinks of Jagertee and Glühwein and some Eurocheese - check out the Streifalm Bar at the bottom of the slopes, where Seidlalm has authentic Tirolean evenings and Lichtl’s has karaoke.

There are also a few nightclubs in town - The Python, the American themed Highways and Club Take 5 which all stay open late.

If you are after something a little quieter then why not try Praxmair, Kortschak or Rupprechter -  excellent cafes tempting you with mid afternoon pastry treats. Whatever type of apres ski you are looking for Kitzbuhel has it all.

Eating Out

Like Kitzbuhel’s apres ski, the eating out options are just as numerous, with more than 100 restaurants suiting every taste and pocket. There is a wide variety of cuisine from Tirolean specialities, to gourmet restaurants and everything in between - believe it or not, there is even a McDonalds!

Traditional Tirolean specialities, including wienerschnitzel and kaiserschmarrn are on offer at some of the more authentic restaurants, try Goldene Gams, the Unterberger Stuben and The Landhäusl for some real Austrian fayre. The Neuwirt in the Schwarzer Adler Hotel is also excellent, as is Chizzo’s. The Lobster Dock offers a range of delicious seafood, Barrique is great for pizzas and Bergsinn for lighter bites.

There are also 2 Michelin-starred chefs in Kitzbuhel, one at the Hotel Tennerhof - which again specialises in traditional Austrian cuisine but with a modern twist and another at the Schwarzer Adler.

There is also Rosi’s Sonnbergstub’n - set on the mountainside with excellent food and the Schwedenkapelle situated within a converted medieval church in between Kitzbuhel and Kirchberg.

Other Activities

Kitzbuhel has a beautiful medieval town centre, it’s mostly car free which adds to the character, with a range of swanky shops and cafes. Designer boutiques include the likes of Louis Vuitton and Hilfiger, along with traditional handicraft, antiques and jewellery shops.

There is of course some luxury pampering on offer at Weisses Rossl’s delightful spa, and at the Schwarzer Alder’s rooftop pool. The Aquarena leisure centre has a number of pools along with saunas, steam rooms and mudbaths!

If you are still feeling energetic then the Sports Park has ice skating, ice hockey, curling and bowling. Tobogganing and bobsleigh are also available, as are the more traditional horse drawn sleigh rides. Also as Salzburg is only 50 miles away and accessible by Kitzbuhel’s railway station then that is great for non skiers or those wanting a day off.

There are a number of events throughout the season including the famous World Cup weekend at the end of January celebrating the famous Hahnenkamm Race.

Ski School

There are quite a few ski schools in Kitzbuhel such as Rote Teufel (The Red Devils), Element 3 and Ski Total.

Rote Teufel offer lessons for all ages from 3 upwards, children meet at the Mockingstube kids and adults meet at the Rasmushof office, group lessons cost from €60 for 1 day to €195 for 6 days. Private lessons cost between €85 and €100 per hour depending on the time of day chosen and season.

Element 3 again offer kids and adults lessons and prices start from €75 for 1 day to €255 for 6 days group lessons, private lessons cost between €75 and €85 per hour depending on the time of season. The meeting place is at the Rasmushof office.

Ski Total’s prices are €60 for 1 days adult or children's group lesson to €145 for 5 days, with private lessons costing €60 per hour.