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 whether your heart belongs purely to the fantastic skiing, or you like to vary your winter activities, Kitzbühel has everything you need for a fantastic winter holiday.
The number one top thing to do in Kitzbühel is, of course, ski. With 233km of slopes in the Kitzski ski area, skiing and snowboarding here is a joy at every level, from beginners to pro. There are a number of good black runs, and some challenging off-piste, although the majority of the slopes here are very intermediate-friendly.
And the Hahnenkamm is definitely one to tick off. Situated at 1,700m, it offers a magnificent view over Kitzbühel as well as the surrounding village resorts of Jochberg, Aurach and Reith. Piste number 21, better known as The Streif, is one of the most challenging ski runs in the world, but you don't have to be a pro to ski it. The run stretches over 3.3km and offers a gradient of up to 85 percent. If that's too daunting, the Streif family run offers an alternative to avoid the most difficult sections.
But while the fun might start on skis, it doesn't end there. This 750-year-old town has so much more to give. Lively and stylish, centred on a charming medieval quarter and filled with smart boutiques, swish hotels, award-winning restaurants and rocking bars, plus top-class amenities for discerning visitors. Choose from a wide range of things to do for an unforgettable winter experience.
Where is Kitzbühel?
Kitzbühel lies east of Innsbruck, north-west of Zell am Zee, and just south of the Ski Welt ski area, in the heart of the western Austrian province of Tyrol. The town is framed by the Kitzbüheler Horn, the South Mountains, and the famous Hahnenkamm. There are two separate local ski areas: the Kitzbüheler Horn to the north-east, and the main Hahnenkamm-Pengelstein-Resterhohe linked ski domain to the south-west.
Winter walks and much more
One of the best ways to enjoy the natural surroundings is to get out on a winter walk or guided snowshoe hike with the Kitzbühel tourist office. Explore snowy trails, discover glistening ice crystals, and take in breathtaking views of the Kitzbühel Alps and also the canopy of stars on a night hike. You can even hike with llamas or goats!
If you've never tried it, Kitzbühel offers the perfect conditions to have a go at cross-country skiing with 70km of perfectly groomed trails. Experience snow-covered meadows and fields in the valley as well as in the mountains. Our top tip: The sports trail at the Kitzbühel Schwarzsee-Reith golf course is floodlit daily until 9pm, and the Kitzbühel Sports Park offers a wide range of other winter sports options - from ice skating, to curling and live ice hockey - a real highlight for sports enthusiasts.
And if you've got the family on board, you can't pass up the chance to go tobogganing? This winter fun, suitable for young and old, offers almost as many thrills as skiing and is at least as entertaining. Our tip: the toboggan run on the Gaisberg.
Other sporty pursuits in Kitzbühel
If you want to enjoy the winter landscape away from the crowds, ski touring is the perfect way to explore the Kitzbühel ski area. Guided tours are available on the Bichlalm - with stunning views of the Höhe Tauern National Park - and on the Resterhöhe. Or try a night tour up the Asten run to the Hahnenkamm ending with a leisurely descent above the lights of Kitzbühel.
Alternatively you can visit the shooting range at Arena365 for a fun and challenging indoor activity, go ice skating at the Kitzbühel Sports Park, or try your hand at archery at the sports complex in Kirchberg.
Relaxation and leisure in Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel also takes its relaxation and downtime seriously, from the fantastic sun terraces to the charms of the town itself.
There are numerous terraces where you can soak up the sun after a day's skiing. These sunny retreats offer stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery, and the opportunity to really relax with friends and enjoy delicious Tyrolean cuisine. One of the most popular sun terraces in Kitzbühel is the Panorama Alm, where the view over the Kitzbüheler Horn will take your breath away and the wide selection of traditional Tyrolean dishes such as Kaspressknödel and Kaiserschmarrn, will delight your taste buds.
Another recommended sun terrace is the Melkalm terrace with its stunning view of the entire Kitzbühel ski area and delicious local specialities such as Tyrolean Gröstl or Zillertaler Krapfen. The Sonnbühel also has a wonderful sun terrace with views of the Steinbergkogel. The restaurant offers an exquisite selection of regional dishes such as Tyrolean bacon dumplings or onion roast.
For the chance to totally unwind, treat yourself to a wellness vacation in Kitzbühel or a day visit to one of the exclusive wellness hotels in the region, where you can enjoy wonderful facilities from panoramic swimming pools and steam baths, to solariums and feelgood saunas. Our tips: the DAY-SPAs at the Hotel Kempinski das Tirol, the A-Rosa Hotel Kitzbühel or the Lebenberg Schlosshotel-Kitzbühel.
Shopping and dining in Kitzbühel
In town, Kitzbühel combines urban flair with typical Tirolean hospitality. There is a wide range of culinary offers and sophisticated shopping opportunities in the historic city centre. Jewellery, fashion, art and design, as well as traditional craft shops, can be found on a leisurely stroll through the charming streets.
In the mountain huts and the traditional inns in the valley, simple, regional food is very much on the menu. In the town's award-winning gourmet restaurants, on the other hand, top chefs conjure up exquisite culinary delights. Shopping and cuisine are as much a part of the 'Gamsstadt' as the Streif is part of the Hahnenkamm.
To round off the day, indulge yourself in the most legendary après-ski bars in the Alps and celebrate in an exuberant atmosphere in Kitzbühel's famous party hotspots. From the unbeatable classic Hochkitzbühel at Tomschy to the romantic Sonnbühel, as well as numerous hotel bars such as the Reisch Bar in the town, there is something for everyone. Long-standing institutions such as the Fünferl or the Londoner are another highlight.
Another way to see Kitzbühel is to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the town and around the Schwarzsee lake. For families, especially, a visit to the Aurach Wildlife Park provides a magical winter wonderland feeling: here you can see deer, stags, reindeer, adorable baby fawns and many other animals up close.
Kitzbühel Events and festivals
From the Advent Markets, through New Year celebrations, the frenzy and excitement of the World Cup Hahnenkamm Races, the quirky spectacle of the Snow Polo World Cup, and on to the Spring Games and the season-ending parties, Kitzbühel pulls out all the stops to entertain. Read our guide to winter events in Kitzbühel here.
