Kitzbühel

Every January the renowned Hahnenkamm World Cup Downhill ski race is held at Kitzbühel. This race attracts ski racing fans from all over the world and has a festive air and the kind of significance that compares to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona or Mardi Gras in New Orleans. So as long as you can handle large crowds and an excessive amount of partying, it’s a great time to visit Kitzbühel.

The rest of the season, the town—and skiing for that matter—is much tamer. When bedecked in fresh snow, this Austrian Tyrol resort is a storybook winter wonderland complete with narrow streets, candles burning in the windows, and the constant jingle of bells on horse-drawn sleighs.

“Kitz,” as the locals call it, boasts a storied ski history. Over a century ago—in the winter of 1893—skiing began in Kitzbühel. Consistent northwesterly snow provides Kitzbuhel with a reliable snowpack from December to April, but because the bottom section of the resort is situated at 2,640 feet the snow conditions can be variable. However, investments of 250 million Euro over recent history have improved that issue immensely. Beginners and intermediates should not let Kitzbühel’s status as host to the most difficult World Cup event intimidate them. The Hahnenkamm is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of Kitzbühel’s terrain, in terms of difficulty. In fact, Kitzbühel is considered an intermediate skier’s paradise.

Kitzbühel’s Old World charm draws an elite international crowd that can be likened to the rich and famous that frequent Aspen or Vail–but at about half the cost. This former silver mining town, which dates back 700 years, lies at 2,600-plus feet (or 800 meters) above sea-level, and features breathtaking scenery reminiscent of scenes from the Sound of Music. Non-skiers on a Kitzbühel ski vacation have plenty of activities to do, from ice-skating and curling, to exploring the area’s many winter walking trails, and of course, everyone will enjoy exploring the town’s charming streets and stopping in at the many upscale boutiques, galleries, restaurants and bars.

Getting to Kitzbühel couldn't be easier by car, with major routes leading straight to this iconic ski destination. If you're looking for sustainable travel options, there are plenty of trains and buses with frequent services to Kitzbühel and nearby areas. For those flying in, the closest airports are in Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Munich, with convenient onward connections available by train or shuttle.

Once you're in town, taxis and shared mobility services make getting around a snap. Whether you drive, fly, or take public transport, Kitzbühel is easy to reach and ready for your adventure!

Exploring local attractions on foot is a fantastic way to soak in the charm of the area. But if you're looking to venture a bit further, a well-connected network of regional buses, including handy ski buses, makes getting around a breeze.

For those driving electric cars, you'll find plenty of charging stations to keep you powered up. And when you need a quick and comfy ride, there are numerous taxis available—just be sure to agree on the fare before you hop in.

Brave intermediates and advanced intermediates can defy gravity and take a run on the World Cup downhill course—the Hahnenkamm, which is accessed via the Hahnenkammbahn from the main base village area.

Beginner Skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria

Kitzbühel is best left for intermediate to expert skiers, beginners don’t have a ton of options, save for some “learn to ski” zones at many of the base areas, and one longer green run in the Gaisberg (Sports Mountain) ski area. Accessible via the A4 lift, the Ministreif area features mild gradients, making it suitable for children and beginners to gain confidence on the snow, while Hausleiten offers wide, gentle slopes and free practice lifts, ensuring a stress-free learning experience for all ages.

Expert Skiing in Kitzbühel, Austria

If you’re an intermediate to advanced intermediate skier or snowboarder in Kitzbühel, the sky’s the limit. Intermediates can enjoy about 40 percent of the resort’s terrain, while advanced intermediates can enjoy 45 percent of the skiing. You can find an ideal blue or red (or both) trail off just about every Kitzbühel chairlift. Intermediates have full access to the resort, including the high-alpine runs.

Ski.com recommends spending some time in the Pengelstein ski area which features a stacked collection of blue runs that offer some of the resort’s best conditions.

Experts have their run of about 15 percent of Kitzbuhel, so there are certainly options. The best of Kitzbuhel expert skiing is the Steinberg-kogel area or the Pengelstein, which provides access to a long, continuous black piste into the town of Aschau. After a day or so, all the black pistes can easily be conquered. Extreme-seekers looking for true challenges can go cat skiing in the Bichlalm ski area or hire a professional guide for off-piste excursions.

Kitzbühel, Austria offers a diverse range of activities for all ages throughout the winter with a variety of snow sports and activities. The well-known ski slopes cater to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, with popular areas like the Hahnenkamm and the Kitzbüheler Horn, in addition to other ski touring and freeriding options offering thrilling off-piste experiences, such as tobogganing on natural runs, ice skating and winter hiking and camping.

Explore the town’s numerous sports shops, ski schools and rental services, such as those at the Sportpark and the local ski rental shops, while families can enjoy cozy mountain huts for après-ski relaxation, Other memorable family vacation options include seasonal events, like the Kitzbühel Triathlon and the Generali Open tennis tournament.