Nestled amidst the Austrian Alps, Kitzbühel is an incredible winter destination, inviting ski enthusiasts from around the globe. With its pristine slopes, stunning mountain views, and charming Alpine villages, skiing in Kitzbühel promises an unforgettable winter experience.
From navigating the network of trails to discovering the countless après-ski options, I have crafted a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about skiing in Kitzbühel, or how it is often referred to as KitzSki comprising of the three ski resorts Kitzbühel, Kirchberg, and Mittersill.
Getting To Kitzbühel
From Munich, Germany
If you are coming to Austria internationally, the easiest way to get to Kitzbühel is to fly to Munich International Airport (MUC) and take a train. The train from Munich to Kitzbühel is about 2 ½ hours with 2 train changes.
From Innsbruck or Salzburg in Austria
You can also take a train from Innsbruck (INN) and Salzburg (SZG) in Austria to Kitzbühel, although fewer flights come into these airports. There are direct trains from Innsbruck which take about 1 ½ hours, and trains with 1 stop from Salzburg which take about 2 hours.
For all trains throughout Austria, check route availability and prices, and book your tickets online with OBB.
Driving
Although public transportation is reliable in Austria, you may want a car for flexibility. In this case, you can certainly drive to Kitzbühel. The roads are generally easy to navigate.
Note that once you are in Kitzbühel, there are free shuttles to take you to the ski lifts and between towns, and within each town, it is extremely walkable. So although driving is an option, it is not necessary to have a car while in Kitzbühel.
Private Transportation
You can also hire private transportation to take you to Kitzbühel, although a more expensive option. Check out Ski Lifts or Apls2Alps.
Lodging Options
There are two popular towns to stay in while skiing in Kitzbühel that I would recommend: Kitzbühel Town or Kirchberg. Both are charming, have mountain views, and easy access via free shuttles to take you skiing.
Kitzbühel Town
Kitzbühel town itself is an excellent choice if you are looking for upscale sophistication and a more luxurious experience. The cobbled streets are lined with boutique and high-end shops, cafes, and restaurants. You can find a range of accommodation options, but more luxury hotels are located here.
Kirchberg In Tirol
Kirchberg is the perfect choice if you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. The village has a welcoming ambiance, with cozy inns and family-run hotels. If you stay in Kirchberg I would highly recommend staying at Hotel Alexander.
Hotel Alexander has an extremely friendly and helpful staff, an amazing breakfast included with your stay, spacious rooms with mountain views, a large spa with saunas, a relaxation area, and a steam room, convenient ski storage, and a free shuttle bus to the ski lifts stops right outside.
I prefer to stay in Kirchberg. It feels like the perfect Austrian ski town getaway with a small and relaxed feel, the proximity to the ski lifts via free shuttles, and the après-ski scene.
Ski Season
Snow conditions vary from year to year, but generally, the ski season in KitzSki is December-April. The week of Christmas/New Year in late December and early January is one of the busiest times, while January/February guarantees snowfall. March-April provides warmer temperatures and higher chances of a blue sky.
The mountain’s elevation is between 800-2,000 meters (~2,600-6,500 feet).
Getting A Ski Pass
Kitzbühel is on the Ikon pass! Consider purchasing an Ikon pass if you will be doing a couple of ski trips throughout the year as it is a multi-resort season pass. Otherwise, you can purchase day passes for your time in KitzSki here.
Renting Skis
If you don’t want to lug your skis with you to Austria, renting is very easy! If staying in Kirchberg I can recommend Sportrudi or the Intersport locations in Kitzbühel town. Another great option is Mobile Ski Rental Michel where you can get your ski gear conveniently delivered to you!
When skiing in Kitzbühel, I was doing a larger Austria trip so I didn’t want to bring my skis. Instead, I brought my boots, helmet, and ski clothes and just rented skis and poles for an even quicker rental experience and it went very smoothly.
Navigating The Mountain
Check out this awesome interactive map of Kitzbühel.
The slope difficulty color classifications might be a little different than what you are used to so here they are!
- Blue = Easy
- Red = Intermediate
- Black = Difficult
- Ski Route = Expert
From Kircherbg, it is easiest to take the free ski bus shuttle to B2 Maierlbahn or B1 Fleckalmbaum or a little further away is D1 Penglestein (all gondolas).
From Kitzbühel, the closest option is the A1 Hahnenkammbahn gondola.
No matter which town you are staying at, the free ski bus shuttles are extremely easy to use and you can get to any of those base gondolas in just a few minutes.
The runs are classified by numbers and gondolas/lifts are classified with a letter and number combination so they are all easy to navigate as they are in numerical/alphabetical order throughout the mountain. The runs are color-coded based on the difficulty noted above so it is easy to determine the route you want to take.
The KitzSki area has extremely nice high-speed gondolas and chairlifts. Many of the chairlifts have heated seats and wind bubble covers!
On The Mountain
Runs
My favorite part of the mountain is on the Mittersill ski area towards Resterhöhe. This area is connected to the other parts of the mountain by a large gondola (D9 3-S Bahn) that goes over a steep valley or you can access it from the base of Jochberg via the F1 Wagstättbahn. The gondola is a fun experience with beautiful views so I would recommend taking that way at least once. I like this area because of the open terrain and there is plenty to ski here.
Huts
There are many lodges throughout the mountain so you can stop for food and drinks. There are a variety of small huts, cafeteria-style or sit-down options. These were some of my favorite parts of skiing in Kitzbühel!
The Wiener Schnitzel at Steinbergkogelhaus is great as well as the hot chocolate at Gipfel-Bar right next door. You can also enjoy one of the best views at Pinzgablick. A goulash soup is the perfect mid-mountain meal at any of the huts on the mountain!
Views
The views are breathtaking throughout the mountain! Make sure to stop along your way and admire the endless peaks covered in snow.
Après Ski
Now you’re done skiing for the day, what’s next?!
On the Mountain
Any of the various huts on the mountain provide good spots to grab food and drinks. However, closer to the base of the mountain, Skihütte Oberkaser provides one of the best après ski atmospheres with drinks flowing, hammerschlagen, and occasional live music and DJs!
In Town
Many hotels have nice spas that I would highly recommend taking advantage of. From saunas to steam showers this is one of the best things to do for your après ski.
Kirchberg
In Kirchberg, a popular place for drinks is Bar Dreieck. This spot will be busy from right after skiing into the late hours of the evening. Stop here for a refreshing beer or Hugo Spritz (my favorite après ski drink!). There is also a stand next door to grab a delicious hot dog called Snack Dreieck.
For a nice glass of wine, right across from Bar Dreieck is Restaurant Pfeffermühle where you can get a drink and sit outside by warm fires for the perfect après ski environment!
Kitzbühel Town
Two places to après ski in Kitzbühel town include Franz Coffee & Wine Bar and Hutschpferd Palais.
Dining
When you are ready for the evening meal that you are begging for after skiing, here are some options!
Kirchberg
Restaurant Pfeffermühle is a good restaurant in Kirchberg. I highly recommend their steaks that cook in front of you on a hot plate with various delicious sauces and your choice of potato style. They also had one of the best Hugo Spritz if you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail. Additionally, check out Restaurant Kupferstub’n or Pizzeria-Ristorante Nabucco.
Kitzbühel Town
For fine dining, Kitzbühel Town is the place to go. Check out Mocking das Wirtshaus, Zuma Restaraunt Kitzbühel, or Neuwrit Kitzbühel. If you are looking for something a little more casual but still good in Kitzbuhel, check out Restaurant Zinnkrug; I recommend their goulash or Wiener Schnitzel for traditional Austrian cuisine.
Kitzbühel is a wonderful winter destination for skiing and with this comprehensive guide, you should be well prepared! But before you embark on your skiing expedition, remember to check weather conditions, trail maps, and lift statuses here. Equip yourself with the right gear, embrace the local hospitality, and savor the delectable Austrian cuisine in mountain huts and charming pubs.
Follow for more on social media and email me with any questions! If you have skied KitzSki in Austria I would love to know how your experience was!
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