Travel Eye on Kitzbuhel (Austria)

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Overview:

Every keen skier has heard of Kitzbuhel and its famous Hahnenkamm downhill run. It has its own 158km of runs, but nearly 700km if you include all the associated 'Kitzbuheler Alpen' resorts.

The resort also offers a huge range of attractions - lots of cross-country, reasonable boarder facilities (but lots of draglifts), great intermediate and expert skiing, plenty of off-piste including challenging moguls for better skiers, a wide variety of terrain and slopes, great nightlife, accommodation forall budgets, excellent restaurants on and off the snow, short transfers and attractive buildings.

Of course there are a few disadvantages, some of which can slightly undermine the skiing/boarding. The snow record is poor and low altitude pistes, even with loads of snowmaking, can suffer. Because Kitzbuhel is so well-known, there can be long queues and crowds, even though lifts have been updated. Advanced skiers don't have much tough terrain. Kids don't get a great deal to play with, as non-skiing children have no kindergarten.

While wealthy posers are in their element here, the resort's character and charm appeal to all ages, skiers and nonskiers alike. Nonskiers have an excellent choice of winter activities and all levels of skier are well provided for. The resort attracts a large number of euros from nearby countries, as well as hoards of holiday skiers and ski bums from the UK and Australia.

There is an extensive and varied skiing area offering excellent skiing and snowboarding both on and off-piste, but be prepared for a lack of snow in places.

Locality:

Kitzbuhel is in W Austria, in the NE of the Tyrol region. (4 mls E of Kirchberg. 50 mls SW of Salzburg and its airport. 66 mls NE of Innsbruck and its airport. 116 mls SE of Munich (Germany) and its airport). It can be found in the sun-exposed valley between Kitzbuheler Horn and Hahnenkamm Mountain.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Kitzbuhel has a wide choice of restaurants both on the ski slopes and in the resort and the quality is generally excellent. Of all the mountain restaurants, the Panorama Alm is most worth a visit due to its spectacular views. The Hotel Ramushof can also be skied to and its restaurant is first class and worth the expense. There are around 100 restaurants on offer a wide range of international and local cuisine from burgers to exquisite gourmet meals. Cafes abound, serving apres-ski drinks and delicious cakes.

Kitzbuhel is a very lively resort with plenty of bars and nightclubs to suit all pockets and nationalities. For many Brits, the evening begins early at the The London Pub - the famous après-ski bar renowned for its lethal cocktails.

There are three nightclubs all located in the town square - Take 5, Olympia and The Royal and all stay open until dawn. Visitors wishing to try their luck on the tables will find the Casino Kitzbuhel at the Hotel Goldener Grief. New Year is a great time for a skiing trip to Kitzbuhel with one of the best fireworks displays in the Alps.

Even non-skiers can find plenty to do in Kitzbuhel, like ballooning, curling, hang-gliding, skating, hikes, snowmobiling or even just playing billiards. There is gambling at the casino, art galleries to browse, concerts to attend, movies and an alpine zoo.

Highlights of the winter season are the Christmas Market and New Year's Eve party. The town is also well known as a spa centre and is full of health farms, while the public baths in town offer a multitude of amenities including sauna, steam bath, swimming, and massage. The picturesque, historic town itself offers plenty to see with its medieval houses, stylish shops and beautiful old churches.

Visitors can also take short excursions to the museums in the area, which include the Cable Car Museum at the Hahnenkamm Mountain Station, the Farmhouse Museum, Mining Museum and Ski Museum.