KITZBUHEL
Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
The town of Kitzbuhel , AUSTRIA is surrounded by high peaks allowing access to virtually 360 degrees of diverse skiing and snowboarding terrain.
Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain at Kitzbuhel
The skiing and snowboarding areas covered by the one Kitzbuhel ski pass can be split into 4 areas; the Hahnenkamm Area, the Kitzbuheler Horn Area, the Bichalm Area and the Jochberg-Pass Thurn Area. The terrain includes; long wide linked trails, open powder bowls and cliff bands, mogul runs, steep fast race courses and plenty of treed areas, all four areas are supported by a first class lift system.
The main skiing and snowboarding area, the Hahnenkamm area begins at the base of the Kitzbuhel village and lift links the neighbouring villages of Aurach, Jochberg and Kirchberg. It provides endless options from 6,000 feet right down to the village.
Expect to find huge open powder fields around the upper Pengelstein area as well as mogul runs and long intermediate linked groomers. Beginner slopes are located on the lower areas of the mountain.
With the large amount of trails to chose from and the excellent snow conditions all levels can expect to improve their skiing and snowboarding skills during their stay at Kitzbuhel.
Hahnenkamm Ski Safari at Kitzbuhel
The famous 35km 'ski safari' is a great way for intermediate and above skiers and snowboarders to explore the Hahnenkamm area. Specific elephant symbol marked trails lead the way with a vertical drop of 5,000+ feet. It is easy to follow and is possible to complete the safari loop in both directions without taking your skis or snowboard off!
Hahnenkamm World Cup
The Hahnenkamm area is home to the famous Hahnenkamm Downhill race, One of Kitzbuhel's most challenging piste where strong intermeadiates and up can cover the same terrain as the World Cup Downhill Course.
Kitzbuheler Horn Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The Kitzbuheler Horn area is a snowboarders paradise with a 450 meter Boarder X run, a world class standard halfpipe and a giant snowboarding slalom course.
It is not just for snowboarders but also a fun area for beginners, intermediates and families alike. The runs are wide and fast, just right for perfecting those carving turns! In the lower area there is a large section designated for beginners, a children's ski school and kindergarten and a snow tubing run.
Bichalm Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The beautiful Bichalm area rises from the edge of the neighbouring village of Aurach, it is an ungroomed marked paradise of off piste deep powder. A snowcat transports skiers and riders to the top from where you can choose your own route down, guides are available for hire.
Jochberg-Pass Thurn Skiing and Snowboarding Terrain
The Jochberg-Pass Thurn area is linked to the Hahnenkamm area via the 'ski safari' route. It offers extensive skiing and snowboarding options for intermediates and advanced and is often less crowded than the Kitzbuheler Horn and Hahnenkamm areas. The Zweitausender runs are very steep and great for off piste and those looking for a real challenge!
Recent Lift Upgrades at Kitzbuhel
In 2006 the Ehrenbachhöhe T-bar was replaced with the new Sonnenrastbahn chairlift, a detachable six passenger chairlift featuring child safety devices. The new chairlift transports skiers and snowboarders up to the Ehrenbachhöhe intersection much faster than the old T-bar and without the long queues.
Also in 2006 the new Ki-West eight passenger gondola was installed providing access to the Kitzbühel winter sport area from Skiwelt Westendorf. The gondola transports 1,600 passengers per hour over 3,056 meters in less than 10 minutes.
The new Panoramabahn Kitzbüheler Alpen eight passenger monocable circulating gondola was installed for the 2006/2007 winter season. The gondola connects Hollersbach/Mittersill in the Salzburg region with the larger Kitzbühel ski area.
Night Skiing and Snowboarding at Kitzbuhel
Every Thursday and Friday night from 6.30pm to 9.30pm Kitchberg has night skiing and snowboarding on the Gaisberg terrain. The on mountain lodges stay open serving hot drinks and sweet snacks.
On Mountain Restaurants at Kitzbuhel
The on mountain restaurants serve hot goulash soups, schnitzels, pizzas, sandwiches and rustic Tyrolean fare.
The large restaurant at Pengelstein has a self service cafeteria lunch room, a restaurant and an enormous scenic sun deck. It also has a snow bar enabling you to stop and have a quick drink whilst still strapped into your skis or snowboard!
Restaurant Hochkitzuhel, located at the top of the Hahnenkamm Gondola is open for breakfast and lunch. In winter it also has 5 course romantic candlelight dinners.
Restaurant Gipfelhaus at Kitzbuheler Horn, at the top of the cable car, has a large sundeck enabling you to soak up the scenic views while looking across the valley back towards the Hahnenkamm area.
Other Activities at Kitzbuhel
Off piste activities at Kitzbuhel include; paragliding, hiking, snow shoeing, ice skating and curling; hot air ballooning, indoor tennis, bowling and indoor swimming at the Aquarena. There is a thrilling 5km long tobogganing course at Kirchberg which stays open until 10pm every night.
Shopping at Kitzbuhel
The cobbled streets are lined with the latest designer clothing shops, jewellery stores, art galleries and antique stores. Specialty food stores and markets are scattered throughout the town as are many ski and snowboard shops.
Intersport, Ober Sport and Sport Olympia are just a few ski and snowboard shops selling and hiring the latest equipment.
Restaurants at Kitzbuhel
There are many restaurants in Kitzbuhel with cuisine varying from local Tyrolean fare to Italian, French, Chinese and even Mexican! Traditional Inns like Huberbrau have delicious local meat specialties, while surprisingly, it is the Italian restaurants that are the most popular serving pizzas and pastas, Bariqu is highly recommended.
Fine dining restaurants Schwedenkapelle and Tennerhof Restaurants have excellent food and top service. Restaurant Neuwirt in the Schwarzer Adler Hotel was awarded a Michelin Star in 2005 and serves Tyrolean creative meals in a casual atmosphere.
Nightlife at Kitzbuhel
There is no shortage of evening entertainment in Kitzbuhel, there are cocktail bars, pubs, busy buzzing bars and nightclubs open til all hours of the morning!
The Londoner Pub has live bands and is always busy from 6pm onwards; Sigi's Sports bar is very popular as is Mangoes which stays open until 5am. There are 3 discos in Kitzbuhel with Club Take 5 the most popular.
If you want to relax go to one of the quiet hotel bars for a quiet cocktail and cigar or even test your luck on the roulette wheel at Casino Kitzbuhel.
New for 2007/2008 at Kitzbuhel
The recently added reservoir with a storage capacity of 180,000 cubic meters has enabled more snow making to take place across the entire resort. Newly installed snow guns will ensure the entire Ski Safari route will have snow from the season start to end!
The old Steinbergkogel Chairlift has been replaced with a new high speed eight seater chairlift. The new detachable lift has protective bubble covers, heated seats and covers the distance 4 minutes faster than the old chairlift.
More About Kitzbuhel
Your Kitzbuhel Ski & Snowboard Resort Reviews
Emily Watson, USA. Feb 2006 Spread over so much area the skiing in Kitzbuhel is hard to top. I believe you could spend a season there and still not ski every part. It's surprisingly well maintained for a European resort with great grooming, reasonably fast chairs, long bump runs, a lot of off piste powder filled bowls as well as a great variety of trails for all levels of skiers. I really enjoyed being able to cover miles and miles of trails each day, on some mornings we would catch the bus to surrounding towns, like Kirchberg and spend the day making our way back to Kitzbuhel. I did manage to put on a few pounds though, the schnitzels you can buy for lunch are sensational, I ate so much food, pastries for breakfast, schnitzels and potato dishes for lunch and pasta and meat for dinner. It wouldn't stop me going back though, maybe I'll spend a little less time at the table and more on the slopes!
Paula Kerdel, USA. March 2006 Not only is it incredibly glamorous and oh so european, it's has some of the hottest nightlife of any resort I've been too. It kicks off with happy hour at 5pm, live bands, dancing and drunk english men, ending 10 hours later with the stagger back to your chalet! Oh, the boarding is top notch too, you could fit about 2 1/2 Vails into the inbounds terrain. The accommodation really varies, there are back packer hostels, hotels, self renting chalets and condos, which is what makes it so great and I suppose so suitable for those on a shoe string budget and those who have no budget!
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180
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54 |
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Trails
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Halfpipe |
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2 |
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2 |
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Resort
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