The "Gamsstadt" Kitzbühel is one of the most exclusive winter sports resorts in the Alps - and a charming small town where you can walk in the footsteps of skiing legends and enjoy luxury shopping. The sporting and social highlight is the Hahnenkamm Race, which takes place from January 21 to 23!
Bekannt geworden ist Kitzbühel seinerzeit vor allem wegen des Hahnenkamm-Weltcuprennens, das hier seit 1967 im Januar stattfindet und zum gesellschaftlichen Ereignis geworden ist, bei dem sich Promis tummeln. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Thomas Gottschalk sind Stammgäste, zuletzt hat Patrick Dempsey („Grey’s Anatomy“) internationalen Glanz versprüht. Das Ganze wird normalerweise von zahlreichen Side-Events, einer Fanzone in der Altstadt sowie der legendären Weißwurstparty beim „Stanglwirt“ begleitet. Bald ist es wieder soweit und die Skistars aus aller Welt stürzen sich die legendäre Streif hinunter! Vom 21. bis 23. Jänner findet in Kitzbühel das Hahnenkammrennen statt und alle Augen sind auf das “Monaco of the Alps” gerichtet. In diesem Jahr mit begrenzter Zuschaueranzahl und ohne großer Partymeile. Dennoch lohnt es sich, die Gamsstadt zu besuchen!
But Kitzbühel also has a lot to offer for active winter sports enthusiasts - it's not for nothing that the ski area is repeatedly voted the best in the world. Of course, every skier in Kitzbühel wants to get a close-up view of the notorious downhill run, the Streif. Professional racers reach a top speed of over 150 kilometres per hour here on the finishing straight, and jumps of up to 70 metres are not uncommon. In principle, however, the Streif can actually be skied by anyone; on the "Family Streif" the most difficult sections are left out. Key sections such as the Mausefalle, the steep slope or the Hausbergkante are marked as "extreme ski route" anyway. But beginners and returning skiers are also in the right place in Kitzbühel, there's even a special goodie waiting for them: in every village in the ski area, all the practice lifts in the valley are available free of charge. Beginners can even get a taste of the Streif: the Mini-Streif is a skill course for everyone at the foot of the Hahnenkamm downhill run. For night owls, the Sportberg Gaisberg in Kirchberg invites you to night skiing. Here you will also find a fast toboggan run, which is easily accessible by the Gaisberg lift. Cross-country skiers can enjoy a 120-kilometre-long trail around the Gamsstadt.
Artistic Living Heritage
Kitzbühel also has a lot to offer in terms of culture: The painter Alfons Walde (1891-1958) documented the rise to world-famous winter sports centre in his drawings and also designed the town's coat of arms. A collection of his works and an insight into the history of the town can be found in the museum in Kitzbühel.
Star chef Eckart Witzigmann counts the cuisine of the "Sonnbühel" among the best at an altitude of over 1000 metres. The exclusive mountain inn is located near the top station of the Hahnenkamm lift.
sonnbuehel.at
Not far from the old town of Kitzbühel, the traditional hotel "Weißes Rössl" is home to the restaurant "Zuma", which offers the best Japanese cuisine. Famous specialties are black cod marinated in miso in hoba leaf or spicy fillet of beef with sesame seeds.
zumarestaurant.com
Under the motto "Back to the future", dishes with history are created in the star kitchen of the "Berggericht". Heinz Hanner combines classic French haute cuisine with a modern kitchen style and serves, for example, marinated duck liver.
mountain-court.at
Alpine elegance meets excellent cuisine
Already mentioned in a document as an estate in 1416, the "Tennerhof" is almost as steeped in history as Kitzbühel itself. Today, a five-star hotel stands in place of the former farm, still on a gentle slope with views of the surrounding mountain landscape, the Hahnenkamm and the town. Guests appreciate the alpine elegance of the house with its spacious rooms and family-owned antiques. A visit to the gourmet restaurant "Tennerhof", awarded by Gault Millau for over 30 years, is therefore a highlight. The award-winning "Spa de Charme" is also generous: with outdoor and indoor pool, saunas, steam bath and soothing treatments. Double room with half board from € 553,- per person.
Tennerhof Gourmet & Spa de Charme Hotel*****, tennerhof.com
Griesenauweg 26, 6370 Kitzbühel, Austria
T: +43 5356 63181
Wellness oasis with a view of the Hahnenkamm
The four-star superior hotel is nestled in nature and only a five-minute walk from the centre. The 162 rooms, studios and suites have been furnished with lots of old wood, glass, loden and modern furniture, some offer a fantastic view of the Kitzbüheler Horn and the Hahnenkamm. Chef Jürgen Bartl spoils you with local delicacies, international specialities and balanced cuisine. The vinotheque has a walk-in wine cellar. The "Kitz Spa" offers an indoor pool with adventure showers, sunbathing areas and a winter garden as well as a sauna area with a relaxation area. Tip: A round of floating in the floating bath relaxes mind and body. Double room with breakfast from € 222,-.
Hotel Kitzhof****s, hotel-kitzhof.at
Schwarzseestraße 8-10, 6370 Kitzbühel, Austria
T: +43 5356 632 110
