Located around 60 miles east of Innsbruck, the Tyrolean resort of Kitzbühel is one of Austria’s most illustrious winter destinations — and it’s easy to see why. The attractive old town offers high-end restaurants, boutique shops and snow-covered scenery that provides a picturesque alternative to a full-on city break. Meanwhile, the surrounding mountains are primed for winter sports adventures, with 145 miles of downhill ski slopes, an impressive lift infrastructure connecting the villages of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg, and wilder corners for more experienced skiers to explore.
Kitzbühel is a magical place during the festive period, with Christmas markets and concerts to enjoy.
Photograph by Kitzbühel Tourismus
Day 1: Get your bearings
Travelling by train is a great way to get to the Alps for a long weekend. There’s something special about winding your way through the mountains — especially in winter. There are normally 11 trains that run per day from London to Kitzbühel, with the fastest options taking around 12 hours to get there. Travelling overnight will mean you can wake up to the sight of wooden chalets, cable cars and snow-covered peaks, ready to make the most of your first day.
The town of Kitzbühel dates back to the 12th century and was once an important stop on the trade route between Germany and Italy. Take a stroll around the attractive centre, complete with ancient city walls and a watchtower, or do a bit of people-watching from one of the many cafes. Afterwards, head to Museum Kitzbühel where you can learn about the area’s history, including the boom in mining and the growth of international tourism. If you have time to squeeze in a few hours of skiing, start at the Kitzbüheler Horn, a western-facing slope that catches the late afternoon sun and has great views of the resort. There are also beginner lifts in the valley, which are free to use, for those who might fancy a few runs without forking out on a full lift pass.
Next, head out for a bite to eat. Tyrolean food is one of the highlights of the region and Kitzbühel has no shortage of great restaurants to choose from. For a fresh take on classic cuisine, visit Mocking restaurant, where siblings Martin Huber and Andrea Posch take inspiration from their grandmother’s recipes and old preservation techniques. Look out for dishes such as poached lake trout with cucumber relish, or plum dumplings with lavender ice cream and buttermilk for dessert.
Day 2: Hit the slopes
Kitzbühel has 58 lifts that provide access across three majestic mountain ranges.
Photograph by Michael Werlberger, Kitzbühel Tourismus
Set your alarm to be one of the first in the queue for the Hahnenkamm cable car. This lift takes you to the legendary Streif racetrack, one of the world’s toughest downhill courses. While this track is only recommended for highly experienced and confident skiers (there are sections with a gradient of 85%), there’s an alternative run that avoids the most dangerous sections. From here, you can continue to the different blue, red and black slopes on Mount Pengelstein. Make a pit stop for refreshments at old-school hut Sonnbühel, a dining spot that has been in business since 1924, or the sustainability-focused Seidlalm restaurant, which serves local produce dishes such as pork sausages and organic cheeses.
By now, you’ll have probably spotted the epic Kitz 3S-Bahn cable car — a jaw-dropping feat of engineering that hangs across a large valley and connects the two separate ski areas of Kirchberg and Resterhöhe. Gondola number one even has a glass floor that allows people to see the pine trees and frozen streams hundreds of feet below. Taking just under 10 minutes, the trip opens up a whole new selection of runs.
Round off a full day of skiing with a few drinks at the Hahnekamm Pavillion before heading back to the town centre later for some hearty dinner. Try the humble Huberbräu-Stüberl restaurant for a relaxed setting and substantial portions, or the stylish Seebichl, close to Lake Schwarzsee, for cool vintage furniture and regional dishes created by a young team.
Kitzbühel has terrain specifically reserved for ski tourers, where visitors can enjoy easily reachable summits and breathtaking scenery.
Photograph by Kitzbühel Tourismus
Day 3: Explore alternatives to skiing
Swap your skis for a pair of snowshoes to explore some of the winter walking trails in the region. The gentle Malerndörfl route passes old farms and has magnificent views of the Wilder Kaiser range, while a more advanced option starts from the top of the Bichlalm chairlift and leads to the summit of Stuckkogel. Eat at BichlAlm Berggasthof restaurant and lounge, or take the cable car back to the middle station for a light bite at the beautifully rustic Gasthof Oberaigen.
After lunch, you can revisit your favourite ski runs from the day before or opt for a spot of downtime instead. Many hotels offer day passes for their spas, including the A-ROSA Kitzbühel, which has an expansive wellness area, or the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Das Tirol, where the swimming pools look out onto the mountains. The public Aquarena bathing centre also has a selection of saunas and steam baths, along with an ice-cold plunge pool and a ‘snow room’ that’s kept at bracingly low temperatures.
End your trip on a culinary high with a reservation at one of the town’s fine dining options. At Berggericht, chef Marco Gatterer combines Alpine and international flavours in a six- or four-course set menu. Every dish is beautifully presented, starting with homemade bread and a selection of local smoked meats. The wines come from Slovenia, Italy and Austria and are presented by a knowledgeable sommelier and provide the perfect finish to a winter’s weekend.
This paid content article was created for the Kitzbühel Tourismus. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs.
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