This medieval Tyrolean town draws winter sports fans to its Hahnenkamm ski race, while its 16th-century buildings, mountain trails and upscale spas keep visitors coming year-round.
Kitzbühel sits in the Austrian Tyrol, where professional skiers tackle the steep Hahnenkamm race course each January. You'll walk past the Gothic Katharinenkirche church from 1365, browse at Louis Vuitton and Bogner boutiques along the narrow cobblestone streets, and hike the Kitzbüheler Horn mountain rising 1,996 meters above sea level. Three international airports within 90 minutes make this medieval town easy to reach for both winter sports and summer hiking.
The Hahnenkamm Race
The Streif downhill course has tested elite skiers since 1931. The course drops 860 meters over its 3.3-kilometer length, with racers reaching speeds up to 140 km/h. The most demanding sections include the Mausefalle jump, where skiers soar 80 meters through the air, and the Steilhang section with its 62% gradient. When races aren't running, you can ski the Streif yourself - most recreational skiers take about 20 minutes to complete the course.
Skiing and Winter Sports
You'll find 233 kilometers of slopes across the area: 94 kilometers of blue runs for beginners, 67 kilometers of red runs for intermediates, and 20 kilometers of black runs for advanced skiers. 57 lifts connect the runs, and snow machines cover 62% of the area, maintaining skiing conditions from late November through Easter. A day pass costs €72, while season passes start at €743. If you're just starting out, try the ten free practice lifts in the valley.
Getting Around
Three train stations serve Kitzbühel: Hauptbahnhof, Hahnenkamm, and Schwarzsee. You can reach the town from Innsbruck Airport (75 minutes), Salzburg Airport (75 minutes), or Munich Airport (90 minutes). Your lift pass includes free ski bus access to all major areas. The medieval center prohibits cars, making it easy to walk to shops like Louis Vuitton, Bogner, Sportalm, and Frauenschuh.
Summer Activities in the Alps
The six-mile Weisskopfkogel trail takes you through alpine meadows to a ridge overlooking the Hohe Tauern and Großglockner peaks. At Schwarzsee lake, the water reaches 27°C in summer, with roped-off swimming areas and restaurants like Seestüberl serving fresh trout. Four golf courses circle the town - try the 18-hole Schwarzsee-Reith course, where you'll play with views of the jagged Wilder Kaiser mountains.
