Kitzbuhel, Austria ski resort guide

5 minute read
Updated 10:56 AM EST, Thu January 18, 2018
<strong>Tyrolean treasure: </strong>Kitzbuhel is the home of the infamous Hahnenkamm World Cup ski race every January, but the charming Austrian town offers much more than just a death-defying downhill.
Tyrolean treasure: Kitzbuhel is the home of the infamous Hahnenkamm World Cup ski race every January, but the charming Austrian town offers much more than just a death-defying downhill.
Bernhard Spoettl
<strong>Sparkling gem:</strong> Kitzbuhel is a<strong> </strong>former silver mining town and a medieval jewel in the heart of Austria's Tirol, 60 miles east of Innsbruck.
Sparkling gem: Kitzbuhel is a former silver mining town and a medieval jewel in the heart of Austria's Tirol, 60 miles east of Innsbruck.
Michael Werlberger_Kitzbühel Tourismus
<strong>Hahnenkamm hysteria: </strong>The annual World Cup race on the Streif run is the scariest and hairiest on the circuit with thrills and plenty of spills to entertain the huge crowds that flood in.
Hahnenkamm hysteria: The annual World Cup race on the Streif run is the scariest and hairiest on the circuit with thrills and plenty of spills to entertain the huge crowds that flood in.
ROBERT JAEGER/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Blue riband: </strong>The Hahnenkamm downhill is the highlight of the World Cup circuit and race weekend creates a carnival atmosphere in Kitzbuhel.
Blue riband: The Hahnenkamm downhill is the highlight of the World Cup circuit and race weekend creates a carnival atmosphere in Kitzbuhel.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>He's back: </strong>Celebrities and the jet-set turn out in force to see and be seen. Austrian native and Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger is a regular fixture at the Hahnenkamm finish.
He's back: Celebrities and the jet-set turn out in force to see and be seen. Austrian native and Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger is a regular fixture at the Hahnenkamm finish.
Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images
<strong>Nerves of steel: </strong>The Hahnenkamm race requires guts and a no-fear approach to tackle the Streif's huge jumps, and steep, icy terrain as it plunges back towards the town.
Nerves of steel: The Hahnenkamm race requires guts and a no-fear approach to tackle the Streif's huge jumps, and steep, icy terrain as it plunges back towards the town.
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Fever pitch: </strong>Just making it to the bottom is a feat in itself. Plenty of racers' seasons have been ended in spectacular crashes on the treacherous descent.
Fever pitch: Just making it to the bottom is a feat in itself. Plenty of racers' seasons have been ended in spectacular crashes on the treacherous descent.
JOHANN GRODER/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>No guts, no glory:</strong> Winning at Kitzbuhel is the ultimate for a downhill racer. Austrian great Franz Klammer did it four times but Swiss Didier Cuche (pictured) holds the record with five wins.
No guts, no glory: Winning at Kitzbuhel is the ultimate for a downhill racer. Austrian great Franz Klammer did it four times but Swiss Didier Cuche (pictured) holds the record with five wins.
Christophe Pallot/Getty Images
<strong>Chocolate-box charm: </strong>Away from the madness of race weekend, Kitzbuhel is one of the most beautiful settings in the Alps with a pretty, cobbled medieval center.
Chocolate-box charm: Away from the madness of race weekend, Kitzbuhel is one of the most beautiful settings in the Alps with a pretty, cobbled medieval center.
Michael Werlberger _Kitzbühel Tourismus
<strong>After dark:</strong> This being Austria, the bar scene is buzzing with plenty of watering holes to refresh thirsty skiers and snowboarders after a long day on the mountain. The Londoner pub is an Alpine institution.
After dark: This being Austria, the bar scene is buzzing with plenty of watering holes to refresh thirsty skiers and snowboarders after a long day on the mountain. The Londoner pub is an Alpine institution.
Kitzbühel Tourismus_Thilo Brunner
<strong>Street party: </strong>Kitzbuhel's pedestrianized center is perfect for ambling and taking in the upmarket boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
Street party: Kitzbuhel's pedestrianized center is perfect for ambling and taking in the upmarket boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
Kitzbühel Tourismus
<strong>White playground: </strong>Kitzbuhel's skiing area is linked with that of Kirchberg. Together they offer 54 lifts and about 180 kilometers of skiing with endless backcountry opportunity.
White playground: Kitzbuhel's skiing area is linked with that of Kirchberg. Together they offer 54 lifts and about 180 kilometers of skiing with endless backcountry opportunity.
Michael Werlberger_Kitzbühel Tourismus
<strong>Ski safari: </strong>As well as the runs on the Hahnenkamm mountain, the ski region includes slopes on the Kitzbuheler Horn, as well as the interlinked areas of Jochberg, Resterhohe and Pass Thurn.
Ski safari: As well as the runs on the Hahnenkamm mountain, the ski region includes slopes on the Kitzbuheler Horn, as well as the interlinked areas of Jochberg, Resterhohe and Pass Thurn.
Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel
<strong>Cruising grounds: </strong>Much of the skiing is tree lined and suits mileage hungry intermediates, although beginners and experts are well catered for.
Cruising grounds: Much of the skiing is tree lined and suits mileage hungry intermediates, although beginners and experts are well catered for.
Kitzbühel Tourismus
<strong>Austrian hospitality: </strong>Kitzbuhel is home to myriad four and five-star hotels with a wealth of upmarket eateries and plenty of cosy huts for on-mountain refreshments.
Austrian hospitality: Kitzbuhel is home to myriad four and five-star hotels with a wealth of upmarket eateries and plenty of cosy huts for on-mountain refreshments.
Michael Werlberger_Kitzbühel Tourismus
<strong>Multi talented:</strong> Kitzbuhel is more than just a ski resort, with activities such as polo on ice as well as a thriving summer scene including hiking, golf and tennis.
Multi talented: Kitzbuhel is more than just a ski resort, with activities such as polo on ice as well as a thriving summer scene including hiking, golf and tennis.
Reinhardt&Sommer
Kitzbuhel: Former silver mining town to Tyrolean treasure and ski racing mecca
CNN  — 

Just the word Kitzbuhel conjures images of the scariest, hairiest downhill race on the circuit, but as a ski resort this Tyrolean treasure offers far more than just the horrors of the Hahnenkamm.

Every January, huge crowds flock to the chocolate-box Austrian town to soak up the high-speed thrills and spills taking place up on the steep, icy, bumpy Streif piste.