The enormous range of sun-drenched slopes and brightly lit cuisine make skiing days between Kitzbühel and the Zillertal particularly attractive.
These are ski days with which you build up a special connection because you have known them since "birth". From the moment the sun hatches from the band of clouds at the edge of the horizon like a chick from an egg, you are there, because what is not particularly popular in the World Cup is highly coveted in everyday life on the slopes: starting number 1. Making the first tracks in the groomed carpet, smoothed by the snow groomers is a rarely disappointed promise of pleasure. This exclusive opportunity to start enjoying the slopes at half past seven is called "Early Bird Skiing" in the Hochzillertal ski area and "MorgenSport" on the Ahorn in Mayrhofen. In the neighbouring "Zillertal Arena", "Good Morning Skiing" starts half an hour earlier from March.
The reward for getting up early is not only the fresh, empty slopes and the pastel-coloured play of light that the sunrise paints on the mountain scenery, but also the brunch that follows on one of the sun terraces of the huts such as the "Platzlalm". In Kaltenbach, you can also start your day's skiing in style with your own "limousine gondola" - with BMW-approved leather seats including seat heating and massage function, leather-covered console, sound system, Champagne and a subsequent breakfast brunch at the Kristallhütte. Or you can have breakfast directly in the gondola.
In Tux-Finkenberg, you can enjoy the panorama in the Gefrorene Wand cable car on the Hintertux glacier with sparkling wine, fresh pastries and muesli, or Bavarian-style with wheat beer, pretzels and veal sausage in a specially reserved gondola cabin. There is plenty of time; you simply ride uphill and downhill until you've eaten your fill. You'll never get tired of the impressive mountain scenery anyway, as the altitude of up to 3,250 meters guarantees snow, which you can enjoy to the full - for example on the glacier tour from the Penkenjoch via the Rastkogel ski area to the Eggalm and on to the Hintertux Glacier. In the end, 60 downhill kilometres and 15,000 vertical metres.
Or you can take a more leisurely approach. There is no shortage of huts to choose from in the Zillertal mountains, as there are 150 places to stop for refreshments. Variety is therefore guaranteed - the range extends from steaks in the "Firnhütte", which are served on 300 degree hot stone slabs, to exclusive four- to five-course menus in the Premium Lounge of the "Wedelhütte", Tyrol's highest five-star cuisine, to homemade apple strudel at the "Kashütte" near the Schneeexpress chairlift, or a Zillertal grey cheese soup at the "Almstüberl" on the Penken above Finkenberg. Between Fügen, Mayrhofen and Tux, there is a total network of 544 kilometres of slopes with 180 lifts. Due to the increasing late winter sunshine in the mornings, you should preferably choose slopes exposed to the east and south and in the afternoons the western slopes, in order to enjoy the perfect firm snow. Spacious sun terraces with spectacular views await you everywhere.
What the main ridge of the Zillertal Alps offers as a natural border to South Tyrol in terms of panoramic views is attempted further north by the Wetterstein mountains towards Bavaria. Although the highest peak - the Zugspitze (2962 m) - lies just over the border in Germany, along the southern side on the Tyrolean side, Ehrwald, Lermoos, Berwang, Bichlbach, Biberwier, Heiterwang am See and Namlos all have the same seven small ski areas with a total of 143 kilometres of slopes under the common brand name "Tiroler Zugspitz Arena". Almost one hundred years ago the first cable car was opened here. Since then, guests have been coming and always have the Zugspitze in view - no matter where they are.
In Kitzbühel, too, the slopes around the legendary Hahnenkamm and the Horn offer numerous opportunities to catch winter sunshine in its natural habitat. 58 lifts are available for this purpose and since the start of the season, this has been working even better thanks to a 23 million euro investment; in just six months, the outdated Trattenbach triple chairlift and the Gauxjoch T-bar lift from the 1980s were replaced by two state-of-the-art chairlifts. Employees of the Kitzbühel mountain railroads have developed a new type of technology for these lifts with heat sensors and utilisation control, which automatically regulates the speed depending on the number of guests and only heats the seat surfaces when a passenger is actually sitting on them. This connection will also improve the links between the core ski areas of Kitzbühel, Kirchberg and Pengelstein and the Resterhöhe. This not only increases your daily mileage on the slopes, but also shortens the travel time between the almost 60 ski huts - from the posh mountain restaurant to the rustic hut.
The large selection almost calls for a stop-off menu. For a Kaspressknödel soup on the terrace of the "Hornköpflhütte" or ribs in the "Bärenbadalm" in Jochberg, later a Kaiserschmarren in the "Hahnenkammstüberl" and an espresso in the "Bichlalm Lounge". And round off the day's skiing with a glass of fine wine in the "Tomschy" right by the Hahnenkamm mountain station. You can't go far wrong, as the standard tableware includes a knife, fork and spoon as well as a dramatic view of the surrounding mountains.
In the Gamsstadt itself, the density of first-class restaurants is higher than anywhere else in Austria. There is now a branch of Katrin and Fabrice Kieffer's "Les Deux" in Munich. The Alsatian-born owner of Munich's oldest wine house offers modern interpretations of classic French dishes in a brasserie atmosphere in Kitzbühel. You can also relax after a day's skiing right next to the valley station of the Hahnenkamm cable car in the "Kaiserhof". Chef Ernst Köstenbaumer has been translating regional and seasonal produce into nuanced culinary delights here for 19 years.
When you sit in the gondola of the Hahnenkamm cable car again the next day, the Wilder Kaiser gradually pushes itself into view on the right. The striking mountain massif rises like a border wall to the north and serves as the namesake for the southern ski region between Söll and Brixen in the west and Going in the east. The 93 lifts and the slopes that descend in all directions guarantee the best sunshine at any time of day and, after the lifts close, the "Stanglwirt" in Going is a wellness oasis that offers five-star quality, wrapped in the rustic and cosy dress of a "vacation on a farm". A large proportion of the food comes from the company's own 100-hectare organic farm, the heat from its own biomass cogeneration plant and the water from its own Kaiser spring. Today, the 400-year-old inn serves culinary highlights - orchestrated by Thomas Ritzer (who is entering his twentieth year as head chef at the "Stanglwirt" this year) - accompanied by a well-stocked wine list.
Brugger's Lanersbacher Hof
Tasty, vital cuisine made from regional ingredients that combines Tyrolean tradition with international inspiration. Here the Tuxer Steinschaf is refined into a delicacy.
Lanersbach 388, 6293 Tux
T: +43 5287 87256, lanersbacherhof.at
Wedelhütte
Sun terraces on several floors and its own lounge for gourmets, who are spoiled by Tyrolean and international creative cuisine and high taste precision.
Hochzillertal/Wedelexpress
T: +43 676 88632577, wedelhuette.at
Chef's Table at the Bergfried
Moments of pleasure in nine courses: Alpine and Mediterranean, always surprising and always a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Lanersbach 483, 6293 Tux
T: +43 528787239, bergfried.at
Guat'z food
Peter Fankhauser takes vegetarian dishes to a new level. Meatless specialities are created from their own permaculture garden - an experience in terms of both taste and appearance.
Obere März 36, 6275 Stumm
T: +43 664 1670350, guatzsessen.at
KLE
In the boutique hotel's restaurant, head chef Klemens Huber focuses on independent interpretations of traditional dishes - in line with the motto "Bold. Delicious. Elegant." (KLE).
Dornaustraße 612, 6290 Mayrhofen
T: +43 5285 62569, kle-restaurant.at
Crystal hut
Dazzling lifestyle hotspot with a penchant for art and music. Regional hut classics meet five-course evening menus with the best accompaniment from one of the highest wine cellars in Austria.
Hochzillertal/Panoramalift
T: +43 676 88632400, kristallhuette.at
Aar-Wirt
Cosy parlour and inviting sun terrace, where local delicacies, from breakfast with homemade bread to fluffy Kaiserschmarren for lunch, await you.
Hochfügen 46/Holzalm 6-seater chairlift
T: +43 680 2145697, aar-wirt.at
Albergo
Mediterranean delicacies at over 2400 metres above sea level, including wine and cheese specialities, in a stylish setting, easily accessible via the "in-house" gondola.
Hochzillertal/Mountain station Wimbachexpress
T: +43 676 88632588, albergo.com
Wiesenalm
Chilled lounge ambience on two floors with probably the longest tiled stove in the world and a well-stocked wine list.
Zillertalarena/middle station Rosenalmbahn
T: +43 664 9618368, wiesenalm.at
Mountain dish
Marco Gatterer finds inspiration for his "Alpine Fine Dining" in local and French cuisine, served in the city's former tax office.
Hinterstadt 15, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 670 6045450, berggericht.at
Bichlhof
Head chef Karl Aichholzer leaves nothing to chance in his regionally based cuisine. Vegetables and herbs come from their own farm and the fish is freshly caught from the pond.
Bichlnweg 153, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 5356 64022, bichlhof.at
Stanglwirt
Chef Thomas Ritzer uses organic produce from the region or his own farm to create excellent menus that change daily: typical Tyrolean and Austrian specialities.
Kaiserweg 1, 6353 Going
T: +43 5358 2000, stanglwirt.com
Hochkitzbühel near Tomschy
1700 metres of drama, the menu a wide variety of wines and champagnes.
Am Hahnenkamm 1, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 5356 62094, beitomschy.at
Sonnbühel
Mediterranean flair (Bistecca Fiorentina, Gamberi alla piastra) meets local Alpine delights (Ripperl, Wiener Schnitzel, Stelze) and international cuisine (Wagyu hamburger) - all in the ambience of a historic mountain residence.
Hahnenkamm 11, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 664 4281975, sonnbuehel.at
Hornköpflhütte
The location at 1760 metres on the Kitzbüheler Horn provides a magnificent panorama, serving Tyrolean specialities and pan-fried dishes.
Ried am Horn 8, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 664 4281975, hornkoepfl.com
Rosi's Sonnbergstuben
With Rosi and chef Fridel Schipflinger, enjoyment becomes an adventure with "Grill your own". You can't escape the warmth of your hosts.
Oberaigenweg 103, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 5356 64652, sonnbergstuben.at
Seidlalm
Not only did Hansi Hinterseer grow up here, but great importance is still attached to authentic produce from the region. With an unobstructed view of the Wilder Kaiser.
Ried Ecking 27, 6370 Kitzbühel
T: +43 5356 64235, seidlalm-kitzbuehel.at
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