The Kitzbühel region forms part of a natural geographic barrier to the northwest, enabling an enormous amount of snow to fall on the valley below. Since the local mountains are covered in grass up to an altitude of 2,000 m only a relatively light snowfall is needed to create ideal skiing conditions. In addition, the region can boast 168 km of perfectly groomed slopes, 18 km of signposted ski routes in all grades of difficulty, fantastic deep snow downhill runs and a snow maker for 65 km of piste. Against this background, it’s hardly surprising that Kitzbühel’s skiing journalists come up with some great stories until well into April.
Annually, Kitzbühel is venue of one of the best known ski races, the “Hahnenkamm race”. They call it the most prestigious ski race in the world, dangerous and fast. They say the racers (downhill) accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h faster than a Porsche racing down the piste called Streif. Only the very best skiers should risk racing down the Streif. The ‘make or break’ points are so steep as to be marked as a ski route. But there’s also a ‘tamed’ variant, known as the ‘Family Streif’, a wonderful downhill course for the less proficient. Here, the route begins right next to the Hahnenkammbahn mountain station and avoids the most difficult sections before finishing at the Rasmusleiten ski pasture.
Kitzbühel is one of the most fascinating towns in the Alps. With its historical town centre, exciting shopping, and top quality hotels and restaurants, Kitzbühel is a real all-rounder with character and charm. And the surrounding countryside with its magnificent mountains offers 1001 ways to enjoy an active holiday or simply relax in the mild climate of the region. In winter and in summer, visitors from all over the world find just what they are looking for – with holiday highlights and delights for all the senses – on the mountain peaks and lakes, in the fine restaurants, little coffee shops and bars, in the discos, the casino or the cinema, or simply with friends, in an intimate twosome or even alone with Kitzbühel as the perfect companion.
Located 165 km from Munich Airport, Kitzbühel can by reached by car in about 2 hours 15 minutes. Taking the E53, A9, A99 and A8 on your way to Salzburg you need to switch to the A93 to Kufstein Süd where you get of the expressway and continue to St. Johann from where you will get to Kitzbühel.