Kitzbühel
Snow fun with a World Cup feeling
Kitzbühel offers that Christmas feeling and a great winter program.
© Kitzbühel Tourism
Until the Hahnenkamm race takes off, visitors to Kitzbühel can go on a foray. Ice meets fire and athletes meet snow fun.
There is still a while until the legendary Hahnenkamm race, because the Streif will not rise until mid-January 2022. But the Tyrolean ski resort of Kitzbühel is already in the starting blocks and welcomes visitors and sports fans with one Christmas and winter program welcome. There are contemplative tones in unusual places, and you can go for a foray on the Gaisberg and Kitzbüheler Horn with the ski pass app.
Starthaus der Streif: Music at an altitude of 1,665 meters
At 1,665 meters above sea level in the midst of ice and snow, the professional ski racers chase anew adrenaline through their veins every year when they leap out of the starting house. The “Mausefalle”, the “Lärchenschuss” and the “Alte Schneise” are waiting to make the Streif the most demanding descent in the world. It is much quieter in that same starting house on December 18, 2021. The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra then plays. Music fans don’t even have to be there, because the concert will be broadcast live.
Anyone who is already in Gamsstadt can stroll comfortably through the Christmas market, where the 2G + rule applies due to the corona pandemic. Vaccinated and convalescent people who spontaneously decide to take a tour can be tested on site. But Kitzbühel also spreads a festive atmosphere away from the Advent market, which was extended until January 9, 2022. Light installations illuminate the city center, which is celebrating its 750th anniversary this year. Light of a different kind leads us to the Schwarzsee. On the last weekend before the festival (December 18th / 19th, 21st, and again on January 1st / 2nd, 22nd) the circular path by the lake is lit with torches from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – for a romantic torch-lit trail through nature .
New and long-established restaurants such as the “Hutschpferd Palais” – in the former country house, which focuses on home-style cuisine, provide the necessary refreshment. The “Lamonte” is located directly at the Hahnenkammbahn. Gourmets who like Italian flair and specialties will get their money’s worth here. In the “Old Tax Office”, Heinz Hanner, who has been awarded two Michelin stars, cooks in the new “Berggericht” restaurant. In all restaurants and hotels The 2G rule and FFP2 mask requirement apply.
Skiing pleasure between Kitzbüheler Horn and Gaisberg
So strengthened, you can hit the slopes. Beginners, advanced and professionals are spoiled for choice on one or two boards: a total of 57 gondolas and lifts as well 233 kilometers of slopes offer lots of fun in the snow. The desired lift ticket can be downloaded via the app and Gaisberg, Kitzbüheler Horn and the Resterhöhe can be explored.
Skiers can experience professional racing feeling à la Matthias Mayer along the new Skimovie route in the lower area of piste no. 16 (Streiteck). Highlight: You can then take photos and videos of your own journey with the number of the keycard can be accessed. If that’s not enough, you can also try tobogganing, cross-country skiing or ice stock sport on the Schwarzsee.
Skiing alternatives nearby
If you drive a few kilometers further from Germany to Austria, you can also experience snow fun and World Cup euphoria elsewhere, despite Corona. Schladming in Styria forms the center of the Dachstein-Tauern region and has 123 kilometers of slopes up its sleeve with the 4-mountain ski area (Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen and Reiteralm). The night slalom on the Planai, which will take place on January 25th next year, is world-famous. As in Kitzbühel, this also applies to everyone aged 14 and over in the Schladming ski area the 2G rule since December 12th as well as wearing FFP2 masks in all closed gondolas, lifts and stations.
Innsbruck is also easy to reach. After the ski jumpers flew off the take-off in Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the German side of the border, they will take off on January 3rd and 4th in the Tyrolean state skin city. The event on the Bergisel ski jump is part of the Four Hills Tournament, which is taking place for the 70th time. In Innsbruck you can move comfortably on foot and you can quickly reach the 13 surrounding ski areas. The “White Roof” is less than 20 minutes away from Innsbruck and attracts with deep snow runs and a snow park. If you want to visit the city’s Advent and Christmas markets, you have to go adhere to the 2G rule here as well.
The Hahnenkamm races in Kitzbühel are and will remain the highlight. In 2021 the Swiss Beat Feuz raced to the finish line as the fastest; the year before, around 50,000 viewers watched live as the Austrian Matthias Mayer won. Whether and how many viewers there will be this year is still in the stars. What is certain, however, is that the chamois town is also worth a detour away from the slopes and professional sports and has one or two winter fairy tales in its luggage.