Kitzbühel - Overview
Kitzbühel ski resort, located in Austria’s Tirol region, is renowned for its blend of style and charm. The picturesque medieval town features upscale boutiques, luxurious hotels, and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Home to the prestigious Hahnenkamm downhill ski races, Kitzbühel boasts top-notch amenities both on the slopes and off, along with vibrant après-ski options. Visitors can sample a variety of regional culinary delights at over 60 mountain huts and restaurants, all while enjoying breathtaking panoramic views.
The resort caters to a range of guests, offering accommodations and services that suit various budgets. Its well-connected ski areas provide a variety of terrain that appeals to most skiers and snowboarders, particularly intermediates who will find plenty of slope options.
While the resort's lower base altitude raises concerns about snow reliability, snowmaking equipment effectively addresses these issues on key lower and mid-altitude runs. The lower pistes are situated on grass-based slopes that require minimal snow depth to remain viable.
Kitzbühel is best known in the winter sports community for hosting the iconic Hahnenkamm race, first held in 1931 and now a staple of the annual Alpine World Cup circuit. Race weekend transforms Kitzbühel into a lively celebration.
From detailed piste maps to information on ski schools, rental shops, and après-ski bars, this guide serves as your essential resource for exploring one of the world’s premier Alpine resorts.
Ski Resort Highlights
Kitzbühel - Ski Map & Pistes
Skiing in Kitzbühel offers remarkable variety. The resort's reputation is bolstered by the challenging Streif course on the Hahnenkamm, attracting expert skiers. It features several black runs and marked ski routes away from the main pistes. However, most slopes are well-suited for intermediates.
The resort comprises two main ski areas: Kitzbüheler Horn to the northeast and the Hahnenkamm-Pengelstein-Resterhohe linked domain to the southwest. The core Hahnenkamm-Pengelstein sectors are shared with neighboring Kirchberg and provide a balanced mix of challenging black runs, solid reds, and extensive blues. Long blue runs lead down to Skirast hamlet, connecting via a short ski bus to the Ki-West gondola on Gampenkogel slopes, which grants access to the expansive SkiWelt domain (Kitzbuheler Alpen Top Ski area pass required).
Although smaller in size, the Kitzbüheler Horn area offers an excellent selection of cruising pistes at higher altitudes. It is recognized as Kitzbühel’s local freestyle and snowboard hub, featuring a snow park, halfpipe, and skier/boardercross course.
The Jochberg-Pass Thurn area boasts some of the region's finest intermediate terrain along with a large snow park equipped with advanced modules. With such variety it is an excellent destination for families and adrenalin-seekers alike.
Lifts and Queues
With over 50 ski lifts, Kitzbühel is a mid-large ski resort that maintains its charming feel. The resort includes more than 9 gondolas and 28 chair lifts, making it easy for skiers and snowboarders to navigate.
The main ski area is accessed via the Hahnenkamm gondola located near the town center. Expect potential queues during peak times, especially around ski school drop-off hours.
In contrast, the impressive peak-to-peak 3S gondola connects Pengelstein to Wurzhohe above Jochberg, linking visitors to Kitzbühel’s highest and most reliable snow sector – Resterhohe above Pass Thurn.
Special Features
Kitzbühel features a snow park for advanced skiers as well as a dedicated kids' area where children can enjoy a safe environment to play and practice. Additionally, the resort offers floodlit slopes; approximately 293 trails are illuminated for safer skiing after dark. Night skiing events are particularly popular here.
For thrill-seekers looking for excitement, Snow Park Hanglalm boasts 18 kickers, 7 rails, 10 boxes, and 7 jibs. Speed enthusiasts can also take advantage of Alpine Racing lanes.
The resort is well-equipped for disabled visitors and is recognized as one of Austria's best areas for mono skiing. Most modern lifts and gondolas feature disabled access with wide entrances for wheelchair users. Detachable chairlifts and ramps throughout ensure monoskiers can navigate independently.
Ski Map of Kitzbühel, Austria. Click the link below for larger map.
Link to larger version of the ski map.
Kitzbühel - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring
Kitzbühel’s first free-rider, Franz Reisch, skied down the Kitzbüheler Horn in 1893, and the resort continues attracting lovers of deep powder descents. Away from the prepared pistes, Kitzbühel offers access to an expansive area of backcountry stretching out over 200 square kilometres – more than enough terrain to satisfy even the most dedicated of powder hounds.
Off-piste skiing
Kitzbühel is fantastic for off-piste skiing as it has a great expanse of un-pisted areas that attract adventurers worldwide. It is also a great place for beginners in off-piste skiing due to the expanse; you can go off-piste with a guide and enjoy the fresh fluffy powder without worrying about experienced off-piste goers flying by you.
If you are learning and are not familiar with the region, it is always best to take a guide. When you go off-piste, always respect the environment, ensuring you do not disturb wildlife or destroy their natural habitat. The best off-piste areas are accessed from the Bichlalm ski lift, but it is best to check weather conditions before heading up the mountain.
Backcountry skiing
Kitzbühel is the ideal location for backcountry skiing as there are over 60 huts across the ski areas, some of which you can reach on a multiple-day backcountry skiing tour. This is an excellent activity for adventurers looking for a peaceful yet challenging experience, where you can explore the area from a different perspective, passing by small villages and staying in more remote areas.
Guides can take you on multiple-day excursions to see more remote parts of the Kitzbühel Alps.
Ski touring
The Bichlalm ski touring area is a slice of heaven for ski tourers. A chairlift runs up to the Bichlalm Mountain Hotel and restaurant, but the peak can only be accessed on touring skis.
During winter, the Asten piste is open to ski tourers until 10 pm every day, allowing you to tackle the Hahnenkamm in the evening, too. Ski tourers can walk up the Asten Run (no. 20) on Kitzbühel’s local mountain every evening. At this time, the snow groomers usually are already working hard to prepare the slopes for the next day, but they are used to keeping an eye out for ski tourers. This gives tourers a unique opportunity for risk-free ski touring close to the town centre.
Guided tours
The great thing about Kitzbühel is that you can find a guided tour for almost every winter activity on the mountain. From ski touring to avalanche training, the selection is endless, and most ski schools offer a variety of tours like this.
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience and love being off-piste? Why not take an epic ride in the Snowcat from the Bichlalm lift to a remote area to enjoy an off-piste adventure and hit all the fresh powder?
For off-piste and backcountry tourers, why not check out the Freeride & Ski Touring 1x1 training course, offered by local mountain guides, for just 10 euros? This course educates skiers and boarders who want to get off the beaten path, providing them with the basics of avalanche safety and awareness.
To learn more about guided tours, check out our tours.
Unforgettable sunsets over rugged landscapes in Kitzbühel, Austria. Photo by Kitzbuhel, Unsplash.
Kitzbühel – Safety measures
The Kitzbühel Alps ensures several safety measures are in place to help keep visitors safe while still having an enjoyable time. Cable car and piste operators always maintain the slopes, checking for avalanche risk. After heavy snowfall, pistes will be closed where snow clearing and avalanche blasts are required. Signs indicating the edge of the piste and marking avalanche areas are placed around the resort, making it easy for visitors to see where they should not be skiing.
Kitzbühel – Environmental measures
Kitzbühel Resort is making significant headway as one of the leading sustainable resorts in Austria. It is implementing and encouraging local businesses to monitor energy usage and efficiency to help reduce the resources they use as a resort.
The resort generally uses green electricity rather than fossil fuels and has spent many years upgrading lift systems to work this way. During your stay, you will see the local impact, such as recycling centres and rules and procedures in place to protect wildlife and the natural environment.
Not only is Kitzbühel focusing on local impact, but the Rotary Club is looking further than just the Austrian Alps. To help reduce plastic waste, specifically in our seas, the Kitzbühel Tourism Board has been implementing creative ways to upcycle plastics from the resort. One of their key projects is producing bags made from recycled PET bottles. Show your support by picking up one of their bags during your stay, and show your support to the local environment and the wider planet.
Kitzbühel - Family Skiing
If you are looking for a family holiday, Kitzbühel Ski Resort is an excellent choice. It has many activities and facilities to help create a memorable experience. Kitzbühel is an ideal choice for families with young children, as the resort caters well to younger ages with the Fun Slope and Family Park located on Kitzbühel Horn. There is a designated child-only zone, which creates a safe yet fun environment for children to play, learn, and experience.
In addition to fantastic facilities on the slopes for families, there is a large selection of ski schools offering lessons for every level in various languages, ensuring every guest has an accommodating experience.
The resort has many hotels that welcome families, kids clubs, daycare facilities, and more.
Gourmet meal and white wine in a Kitzbühel restaurant. Photo by Jay Wennington, Unsplash.
Kitzbühel - Restaurants, Bars & The Town
Restaurants
In the Kitzbühel Resort, you will not be disappointed with the selection of restaurants in town. From pizza to traditional Tyrolean dishes, there will be something to fix your food cravings.
Traditional Tyrolean food uses locally grown and sourced ingredients encompassing the region's taste. If you are interested in trying some local dishes, look for local cheese, honey, and dried meats at the local markets and restaurants.
If you are looking for a special dining experience, you must visit Lois Stern, a high-end restaurant offering a taste of local delicacies. Make sure to reserve a table, as this restaurant requires bookings.
Here are some of the best places to eat in town: From fast food to fine dining, Kitzbühel Resort has it all.
- Simple – Food & Drinks
- Restaurant Goldene Gams
- Neuwirt
- Restaurant Berggericht
- Mocking – Das Wirtshaus
Après Ski
Kitzbühel's old town is a real charmer, and the resort is truly blessed with après —it has a host of bars catering to every taste, from a quiet beer to a full-on party. Kick-off at the Streifalm at the bottom of the slopes before making your way around town. Here is a selection of places to enjoy a drink after a day on the slopes.
- Après Ski Bar Pavillon
- Zielhaus Red Bull Kitzbühel
- The Londoner
- Lichtl Pub
Wooden holiday cabins for rent in Kitzbühel, Austria. Photo by Patrick Schneider, Unsplash.
Kitzbühel - Accommodation Options
From guest houses to B&Bs or luxury hotels, Kitzbühel Resort has something for everyone.
Hotel Kaiserhof Kitzbuehel is a fantastic accommodation option, centrally located in a luxury hotel with high-end facilities. Enjoy evenings by the pool and early mornings watching the ski lifts drift over the mountainside.
For small groups, why not consider your own private apartment at Kitzbuhel City 2, where you can enjoy a more homely experience just on the edge of town. This is a fantastic option for the budget-conscious and an overall more low-key experience.
Your experience can differ dramatically with any resort, depending on where you stay. If you are looking for a more intimate and perhaps more convenient stay, then you should consider accommodation options close to the centre of town.
However, if you envision a calmer, more relaxed, or more tranquil stay, accommodation options outside the town might suit your needs more. Although being located in a more rural area means you may have to rely on public transport to take you to the ski lifts, which could reduce your time on the slope, you may have a quieter experience, especially during peak season.
As a family-friendly resort, Kitzbühel has a great selection of hotels and guest houses suited to families. It is best to check with the hotel directly about daycare services and additional features such as kid’s clubs and facilities that welcome children.
Head over to Exploreo to see all the accommodation options available in Kitzbühel.
Kitzbühel – Activities
As one of the top resorts in Tirol, it offers a wide variety of activities both on the slopes and off.
Aside from skiing you can enjoy activities including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, and off-piste. Depending on experience levels, these can be enjoyed with or without a guide.
If you want more traditional local activities, why not try ice stick shooting, tobogganing or ice skating? Or watch the speed races down the slopes.
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country Skiing
- Backcountry Skiing
- Ice Stick Shooting
- Tobogganing
- Ice Skating
- Speed Races
Other Activities
Once the slopes shut, there’s plenty to do: the Aquarena pools will keep families happy, and you can try curling, bouldering, climbing, or even watching some snow polo.
Kitzbühel is known for its spa and wellness resorts, so you can enjoy a recovery day in the sauna while the family enjoys a day on the slopes. Or enjoy a drink or local culinary delights from a viewpoint or sun terrace on one of the mountain restaurants.
Good rail links mean a day trip to Salzburg or Innsbruck might appeal to the culture-seekers or non-skiers. This is a fantastic alternative activity to show you more of the region.
- Aquarena Pool
- Bouldering
- Climbing
- Curling
- Spas
Fresly prepared ski slopes in Kitzbühel, Austria. Photo by Kitzbuhel, Unsplash.
Kitzbühel - Ski Rental Services
There are multiple outlets for ski hire in Kitzbühel, offering a large selection of equipment for all levels of skiers, snowboarders and more. The majority of ski rental shops will have what you need. However, some are better for specialist equipment, so make sure to contact them in advance to see if they have what you need in stock. Here are some of the best ski rental locations in Kitzbühel.
Kitzbühel - Ski Schools
The options for ski schools in Kitzbühel are good, and you will find a great variety that offer a high level of teaching. All provide a full spectrum of classes, so those looking for group or individual ski lessons in Kitzbühel need not worry.
Most ski schools offer lessons in different languages for all levels, making skiing and snowboarding accessible to everyone. Ski schools also employ highly skilled instructors passionate about helping their students enjoy their time on the mountain.
Here are some of the recommended ski schools in Kitzbühel.
Kitzbühel - Ski Tickets
Depending on the type of ticket you want to purchase, there are several ways to buy ski tickets in Kitzbühel. You can buy day tickets, singular lift passes, week tickets, and more. It is best to visit the main Kitzbühel website for updated prices and offers.
If you are a keen adventurer and want to see a wider area, then look at the Snow Card Tirol, which gives you access to all ski resorts in the Tirol region. Although the price is considerably higher than a singular resort pass, it is the key to discovering the Tirol region and the Austrian Alps.
The best place to buy your ski ticket is from the main website and gondola stations; however, you should also consult with your ski school if you book lessons, as they may offer packages that save you the extra work of booking separately.
Kitzbühel offers the perfect blend of world-class skiing, Tyrolean charm and unforgettable alpine adventure. Photo by Kitzbuhel, Unsplash.
Kitzbühel – In Closing
Kitzbühel is one of Austria's most sustainable resorts, attracting many recurring tourists each year. For a unique ski adventure, Kitzbühel is a great place to visit; as one of the larger resorts in Austria, it truly has something for everyone. From snow parks to saunas, you can enjoy a relaxing getaway in the mountains or a week full of adventure in a winter wonderland.
The overall rating of Kitzbühel Resort would be 9 out of 10 due to its fantastic variety and accommodating atmosphere. Kitzbühel truly is a resort for all, with modern lifts, a sustainable approach to tourism, and its varied and well-developed infrastructure. This charming resort encapsulates traditional Tyrolean culture in a beautiful fusion of old and new.
If you want to hit the slopes this winter, why not book your trip sustainably with Exploreo.
Please note that the latest information on restaurants, bars, ski hire, ski schools and guided tours is
subject to change. We recommend you check their official websites or contact them directly for the latest information.
Have a great time in Kitzbühel!