Kitzbuhel Holiday

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Kitzbuehel © Austrian National Tourist Office

Overview: Among Austrian resorts Kitzbuhel is the most commercial, glamorous and expensive. The beautiful alpine town, which dates back to the 9th century, has remained fairly unspoilt. In the winter you will hear the jingle of bells as a horse-drawn sleigh is pulled through its cobbled, traffic-free town centre. 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. Due to the low altitude the lower slopes are rarely open. If the skiing in Kitzbuhel doesn't tire you out, the nightlife certainly will. The atmosphere is bright, boisterous and fun and doesn't stop till the not-quite-so-early hours. This is also Austria's winter entertainment capital and attracts performers from all over the continent throughout the season.

Skiing: Kitzbuhel hosts The Hahnenkahm, the most treacherous and famous of all of the downhill ski races, and the publicity has made it one of the world's most famous ski resorts. The Kitzbuhel ski pass includes the neighbouring but lesser known resorts of Kirchberg, Aurach, Jochberg and Pass Thurn and offers one of the largest and most diverse ski areas in the Alps with almost 100 miles (161km) of groomed slopes, a large cross-country ski area and plenty of off-piste. Kitzbuhel's problem is the snow reliability - the resort is under 800m and the highest skiing is at 2,000m, so skiing to your chalet or hotel door is rarely possible and the season is short. The resort attracts a large number of euros from nearby countries, as well as throngs of holiday skiers and ski bums from the UK and Australia.

Shopping: Kitzbuhel is a shopper's paradise, with dozens of upmarket shops displaying their wares very appealingly in the quaint Tyrolean village stores. Window-shopping is almost as satisfying as buying. Ski shops dominate, of course, but there are plenty of designer boutiques, jewellery stores and souvenir shops. Prices are steep, but discounts are sometimes offered to those carrying guest cards from local hotels. Visitors can also enquire at their hotels about shopping excursions into Italy.

Restaurants: 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 Rasmushof can also be skied to and its restaurant is first class and worth the expense.

Nightlife: 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. Take 5 and The Royal are nightclubs on the town square that 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.

Activities: 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 and Mining Museum.

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