Anyone skied in Kitzbühel?
Discussion
Totally out of the blue I've just added another week to my 2012 ski calender. I had intended to hang on and see what late deals were about come next Feb, when I got an email of a ski tour operator offering me the exact week I had free with £400 off if I booked within 2 days.
Wasn't limited to Kitz but have always fancied it and suited our needs. Was torn between this and Selva in the Dolomites. Kitz won out in the end due to flying from Newcastle (saves an hour each way over Manc)half the transfer time when we're over there and the price. Club hotel (basically a large chalet) AI with free bar up until 11pm. Even get a packed lunch or vouchers to use in some of the on mountian restaurants. The OH likes to take a half day or a day of the slopes to mooch around the resort and liked the look of Kitz being a proper town.
£1500 for the 2 of us inc passes and carriage. Go Feb 18th so not too bothered about snow despite the low altitude. Anyone else been that can offer general advice?
Wasn't limited to Kitz but have always fancied it and suited our needs. Was torn between this and Selva in the Dolomites. Kitz won out in the end due to flying from Newcastle (saves an hour each way over Manc)half the transfer time when we're over there and the price. Club hotel (basically a large chalet) AI with free bar up until 11pm. Even get a packed lunch or vouchers to use in some of the on mountian restaurants. The OH likes to take a half day or a day of the slopes to mooch around the resort and liked the look of Kitz being a proper town.
£1500 for the 2 of us inc passes and carriage. Go Feb 18th so not too bothered about snow despite the low altitude. Anyone else been that can offer general advice?
I've been a couple of times, but many years ago.
However, we were always blessed with superb conditions and had a tremendous time.
The centre of the old town is lovely as its a walled town, with some beautiful buildings. There were a couple of full on bars and some great restaurants. I remember one place called the "Schwarzer Adler" or Black Eagle which was particularly good (it was 15 years ago though)
We had brilliant days on the snow, the Hannenkahm (sp) being a particular challenge! It made my novice skier girlfriend cry!! I recall a pretty well connected Ski Circus too.
I think you'll have a great time.
However, we were always blessed with superb conditions and had a tremendous time.
The centre of the old town is lovely as its a walled town, with some beautiful buildings. There were a couple of full on bars and some great restaurants. I remember one place called the "Schwarzer Adler" or Black Eagle which was particularly good (it was 15 years ago though)
We had brilliant days on the snow, the Hannenkahm (sp) being a particular challenge! It made my novice skier girlfriend cry!! I recall a pretty well connected Ski Circus too.
I think you'll have a great time.
We went last year in March and it was great. The town is nice enough and the skiing is good. You are basically over one side of the mountain with a link over to the other side. To be honest I got a bit bored of travelling from one side to the other until one day we got good snow. There are a couple of reds down to resort (one is the Hamenkan (which definitely isn't spelt like that but I can't be arsed to look it up) worldcup downhill). They get really busy at the end of the day but are dead quiet during the day. On the good snow days head down there and you can have a right laugh.
The only thing of note I remember is that the town has a great hot dog stall!
The only thing of note I remember is that the town has a great hot dog stall!
Went to Kitz earlier this year for a week, great place but quite pricey. As someone has already mentioned the town is lovely, real old typically austrian place with all sorts of shops and restaurants. My tips:
Avoid the londoner - despite it being a so called British pub you have to book tables and a pint of steigl costs £5! We went in there on the 1st day at 2pm and weren't allowed to sit down at the table that had been booked for later that evening, aussie barman was a t*t! go the the irish bar on the main road in, cheaper and more fun.
Do make most the the ski area, great skiing, great runs down to skirast, kitchberg (watch out for buildings half way down!)
Avoid the 3S cable car if you dont like heights, truely terrifying and I unashamedly closed my eyes from start to finish despite the whole car laughing at me!
Do Red 22, the Steif (red 21) is possibly the most famous run in world skiing but it's really congested, you have to do it say you have but Red 22 I found to be more fun n fast and would use it to get down off the mountain each day.
Go the the streifalm apres ski bar, it's a small bar in between the finish of the streif and the gondala station, you can easily forgive yourself for thinking its a 3am party at 3pm in the afternoon, nice looking girls work there too!
Theres a kebab hut that opens up next to the Londoner each fri and sat, make sure you have one, it's nothing like the slop that gets served up over here in the UK, the ones out there are yummy!
Eat lots of tyrolian rostle! great skiing food
Avoid the londoner - despite it being a so called British pub you have to book tables and a pint of steigl costs £5! We went in there on the 1st day at 2pm and weren't allowed to sit down at the table that had been booked for later that evening, aussie barman was a t*t! go the the irish bar on the main road in, cheaper and more fun.
Do make most the the ski area, great skiing, great runs down to skirast, kitchberg (watch out for buildings half way down!)
Avoid the 3S cable car if you dont like heights, truely terrifying and I unashamedly closed my eyes from start to finish despite the whole car laughing at me!
Do Red 22, the Steif (red 21) is possibly the most famous run in world skiing but it's really congested, you have to do it say you have but Red 22 I found to be more fun n fast and would use it to get down off the mountain each day.
Go the the streifalm apres ski bar, it's a small bar in between the finish of the streif and the gondala station, you can easily forgive yourself for thinking its a 3am party at 3pm in the afternoon, nice looking girls work there too!
Theres a kebab hut that opens up next to the Londoner each fri and sat, make sure you have one, it's nothing like the slop that gets served up over here in the UK, the ones out there are yummy!
Eat lots of tyrolian rostle! great skiing food
All sounds good and we've always got the AI beer if prices seem a bit punitive in resort. It's been a while since I've skied in Austria. Usually go with a large group and usually to France as most haven't got their heads around the fact that low altitude doesn't mean poorer skiing.
It's been ages since I had my technique looked at so might get some lessons to get me ready for some serious off piste in St Anton. Now I have three ski hols all within a month of each other-can't wait! Hopefully Scotland will have another good winter and I'll make it up there too.
It's been ages since I had my technique looked at so might get some lessons to get me ready for some serious off piste in St Anton. Now I have three ski hols all within a month of each other-can't wait! Hopefully Scotland will have another good winter and I'll make it up there too.
Went to Kitz last March on my first ski trip, had an amazing time. There were a few experienced guys with us as well and it seemed as though there was something for everyone, they would head out and do some blacks etc in the morning then we'd meet up for lunch (and usually a few beers) and then all head back over to the resort in the afternoon. I even managed a run down Hannenkaan (or how ever you say it!) on the last day!
As said above, loads of nice bars / restraunts in the town, remember there was a little bar on the corner just down the road from the bottom of the gondala that got really busy for apres ski and had a weird game where you had to whack a nail into a log with the small end of a hammer, pretty difficult after a few pints / jagerbombs....!
As said above, loads of nice bars / restraunts in the town, remember there was a little bar on the corner just down the road from the bottom of the gondala that got really busy for apres ski and had a weird game where you had to whack a nail into a log with the small end of a hammer, pretty difficult after a few pints / jagerbombs....!
Ahhh yes, that bar is fun 
I was playing that nail game with the locals back in August - won one, lost one, and then started playing a game with dice - lots of Jaegermeister consumed that evening! Walk down from the Hahnenkamm gondola, all the way to the bottom of the hill, and you come across the back beer garden, on the corner where the main road goes round to the right.
There's a good restaurant in the walled town - I can't remember the name of it, but from the above bar, go through the city wall, then its on the left hand side, raised up slightly. Its a brewery restaurant from the St Johann brewery - great food, great beer, and free wifi (the code is on the wifi box in the back bar - only place I found with free wifi, although I didn't try the Irish bar)
I was playing that nail game with the locals back in August - won one, lost one, and then started playing a game with dice - lots of Jaegermeister consumed that evening! Walk down from the Hahnenkamm gondola, all the way to the bottom of the hill, and you come across the back beer garden, on the corner where the main road goes round to the right.There's a good restaurant in the walled town - I can't remember the name of it, but from the above bar, go through the city wall, then its on the left hand side, raised up slightly. Its a brewery restaurant from the St Johann brewery - great food, great beer, and free wifi (the code is on the wifi box in the back bar - only place I found with free wifi, although I didn't try the Irish bar)
It's always hard to judge from pics and videos but from what I've seen the blacks down look particulary taxing i.e. they look pretty wide and not too steep. Looks like it will suit my other half down to thr ground. If she decides to take a day off which she normally does I'lll probably get a guide and see what there is to explore. Kitz doesn't have a rep as an off piste mecca but from what I've read there is some interesting terrian if you know where to look.
The blacks at Kitz aren't too bad, generally quite short with a bit of 'run off'. Dont underestimate some of the reds though, especially after a dump of snow, even the easy blues turn into mogul nightmares. Had quite a few snow munchers catching edges. I remember at Soll feeling really sorry watching some of the beginner groups, they were all over the place 
As mentioned, watch out for the chicane on the kirchberg run, there's a few buildings positioned just off a fast section that you have to navigate/power slide through, it feels about 1m wide with bodies and skis piled up everywhere, caused a momentary heart stoppage! After the chicane the piste opens up into a proper full tuck master blaster all the way down, the legs were on full burn mode when I got to the cafe. Sure maserspyder will be around soon, he likes that run too
Cant wait for soll in Jan
As mentioned, watch out for the chicane on the kirchberg run, there's a few buildings positioned just off a fast section that you have to navigate/power slide through, it feels about 1m wide with bodies and skis piled up everywhere, caused a momentary heart stoppage! After the chicane the piste opens up into a proper full tuck master blaster all the way down, the legs were on full burn mode when I got to the cafe. Sure maserspyder will be around soon, he likes that run too
Cant wait for soll in Jan
Been a few times and it's a decent enough place to ski. I don't know the exact statstics and can't be bothered to look them up, but skiing there it doesn't seem like there's a massive vertical, but the compensation for that is you can ski a fair old distance on the 'circus'. Years ago you had to get a bus link to complete it, but it's fully lift served now and even at peak times there are some runs where it's like you're the only one there. Not the case if you just stick to the runs near the top of the Hahnenkamm gondola though. Town itself is also very nice, but it's relatively large and so you could find yourself beyond walkable distance to the lifts if you're not careful where you stay. I've never been blessed with decent snow when I've been there, maybe just bad luck, but it's certainly not a powerdhound's paradise. But the pretty town, the heritage and the expanse of the place makes up for a lot. I'd put it as one of the 'must ski' destinatations, so go for it.
Ok chaps, it's Hahnenkahm. Hahnenkahm. Hahnenkahm. Not that hard, is it?
I've lived out in Kitz for the past two winters, and trying to sort an apartment for this coming season too, but proving a little tricky. Might end up buying somewhere instead.
As for beer prices, the Londoner is about the worst place to go. A bit like arriving in London, staying at the Ritz (because it's the biggest, and the only name you know), and complaining it's expensive.
I won't mention the best places in town (they're small, and it'll be impossible for me to get a table this coming season if I let it slip....), but suffice to say, shop around and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
One thing to note, avoid both pizza places in town. One doesn't publish drinks prices (because they're oddly extortionate), and the other has a tendency to over-charge (or just double check your bill). Everywhere else to eat and drink is generally superb.
As for the skiing, make sure you do the Horn if the snow is good and the sun is out, it gets sun all day round, so a good day out. Otherwise, do the ski safari all the way over to Pass Thurn and back, it's nearly 100km there and back, a good day out.
If you're competent, get the Allstarcard instead of the local area only ski pass, it's about 10-15 EUR more, but covers the whole (huuuuuge) area, and means you can do Westendorf, Soll, Ellmau, Sheffau, etc.
One other thing not to miss is tobogganing at Kirchberg. Get the train or a taxi over (or give me a shout and I'll drive you there and join in ), buy the night pass for about 14EUR, have a run or two, eat in the top restaurant, a few beers, another run, a few more beers, and a last run to finish when you're sufficiently oiled. It really is superb fun....
So in all, I love the place. It's got it's problems (not great for boarders apart from the park at Pass Thurn), but the town (which isn't expensive, contrary to what's said here), but having skied (literally) all over the world, I will keep going back to Kitz year after year, it's my most favourite town.
One thing to point out, Kitz is NOT a 'resort' in the same way as most French ski resorts. It's a small, working market town, with a strong local character and identity, which personally, I think adds to the charm.
Oh, one last thing, check the ice rink to see if a hockey match is on. The local team Die Adler are very handy indeed, and it's a great night out, loads of atmosphere and a superb spectator sport.
Might see some of you guys out there this coming season!
I've lived out in Kitz for the past two winters, and trying to sort an apartment for this coming season too, but proving a little tricky. Might end up buying somewhere instead.
As for beer prices, the Londoner is about the worst place to go. A bit like arriving in London, staying at the Ritz (because it's the biggest, and the only name you know), and complaining it's expensive.
I won't mention the best places in town (they're small, and it'll be impossible for me to get a table this coming season if I let it slip....), but suffice to say, shop around and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
One thing to note, avoid both pizza places in town. One doesn't publish drinks prices (because they're oddly extortionate), and the other has a tendency to over-charge (or just double check your bill). Everywhere else to eat and drink is generally superb.
As for the skiing, make sure you do the Horn if the snow is good and the sun is out, it gets sun all day round, so a good day out. Otherwise, do the ski safari all the way over to Pass Thurn and back, it's nearly 100km there and back, a good day out.
If you're competent, get the Allstarcard instead of the local area only ski pass, it's about 10-15 EUR more, but covers the whole (huuuuuge) area, and means you can do Westendorf, Soll, Ellmau, Sheffau, etc.
One other thing not to miss is tobogganing at Kirchberg. Get the train or a taxi over (or give me a shout and I'll drive you there and join in
), buy the night pass for about 14EUR, have a run or two, eat in the top restaurant, a few beers, another run, a few more beers, and a last run to finish when you're sufficiently oiled. It really is superb fun....So in all, I love the place. It's got it's problems (not great for boarders apart from the park at Pass Thurn), but the town (which isn't expensive, contrary to what's said here), but having skied (literally) all over the world, I will keep going back to Kitz year after year, it's my most favourite town.
One thing to point out, Kitz is NOT a 'resort' in the same way as most French ski resorts. It's a small, working market town, with a strong local character and identity, which personally, I think adds to the charm.
Oh, one last thing, check the ice rink to see if a hockey match is on. The local team Die Adler are very handy indeed, and it's a great night out, loads of atmosphere and a superb spectator sport.
Might see some of you guys out there this coming season!
disco1 said:
The blacks at Kitz aren't too bad, generally quite short with a bit of 'run off'. Dont underestimate some of the reds though, especially after a dump of snow, even the easy blues turn into mogul nightmares. Had quite a few snow munchers catching edges. I remember at Soll feeling really sorry watching some of the beginner groups, they were all over the place
As mentioned, watch out for the chicane on the kirchberg run, there's a few buildings positioned just off a fast section that you have to navigate/power slide through, it feels about 1m wide with bodies and skis piled up everywhere, caused a momentary heart stoppage! After the chicane the piste opens up into a proper full tuck master blaster all the way down, the legs were on full burn mode when I got to the cafe. Sure maserspyder will be around soon, he likes that run too
Cant wait for soll in Jan
As mentioned, watch out for the chicane on the kirchberg run, there's a few buildings positioned just off a fast section that you have to navigate/power slide through, it feels about 1m wide with bodies and skis piled up everywhere, caused a momentary heart stoppage! After the chicane the piste opens up into a proper full tuck master blaster all the way down, the legs were on full burn mode when I got to the cafe. Sure maserspyder will be around soon, he likes that run too
Cant wait for soll in Jan
Ah, you mean 'Fleck'. Yes indeedy, it's one of my all time favourites....
Top quite open, nice and wide, perfect for carving.
Then a small jump on to a hard-packed, shaded, icy section, then in to the chicane (which is as bad as is mentioned above, great fun
).After that, there's a superb, absolutely spectacular flat wide section that really gets your legs working, which narrows, then opens, steepens (perfect to get some speed up), then flattens of a little, allowing you to carry the speed in to the flatter section, doing some nice long carves.
It's a mixed blue/red run, but don't underestimate it, I logged over 80kmh down here last year, on slalom skis.
Phew, getting a little hot under the collar just thinking about that run....
maser_spyder said:
Lots of useful info
Cheers for the mate. Lived out there for the last 2 winters? Thinking of buying a place? Please supply info on how I can become rich enough to do such things! 
Do you have much experience of the ski schools out there? One I've heard of is the Red Devils? My other half wants some lessons and it's been a while since I had my technique looked at so I might plump for some tuition myself. My OH has never ventured off piste so is interested in going for some piste to powder sort of lessons.
Can you recommend any guides you've used? She'll normally take a day off away from the skiing so that will be ideal for me to go off and see what's on offer.
Always wanted to go to Kitz. Was 50:50 with Kitz and the Dolomites, Kitz won out in the end due to repuatation of a real town vs resort mainly plus shorter transfers and a better overall deal.
andrew311 said:
maser_spyder said:
Lots of useful info
Cheers for the mate. Lived out there for the last 2 winters? Thinking of buying a place? Please supply info on how I can become rich enough to do such things! Do you have much experience of the ski schools out there? One I've heard of is the Red Devils? My other half wants some lessons and it's been a while since I had my technique looked at so I might plump for some tuition myself. My OH has never ventured off piste so is interested in going for some piste to powder sort of lessons.
Can you recommend any guides you've used? She'll normally take a day off away from the skiing so that will be ideal for me to go off and see what's on offer.
Always wanted to go to Kitz. Was 50:50 with Kitz and the Dolomites, Kitz won out in the end due to repuatation of a real town vs resort mainly plus shorter transfers and a better overall deal.
Can give you some advice on where to find them, or depending when you're there (and I'm there), might be able to give you an introduction instead.
You'll love it, it's a great little town.
If it works out, I'd be happy to go out with you for a day or two to show you around too, and even a bit of tuition/advice.
maser_spyder said:
Not much experience of the ski schools, but I do know a handful of instructors, some of which do private, and might be interested in cash work?...
Can give you some advice on where to find them, or depending when you're there (and I'm there), might be able to give you an introduction instead.
You'll love it, it's a great little town.
If it works out, I'd be happy to go out with you for a day or two to show you around too, and even a bit of tuition/advice.
Awesome. We're out in Feb so will discuss potentially meeting up nearer the time. Feel free to post some pics if you have any on Kitz to wet my appetite Can give you some advice on where to find them, or depending when you're there (and I'm there), might be able to give you an introduction instead.
You'll love it, it's a great little town.
If it works out, I'd be happy to go out with you for a day or two to show you around too, and even a bit of tuition/advice.
It's that long since I had lessons I don't know how much good they'd do me unless I had a week of 1 on 1 tuition maybe. Of course even the very best pros still get tuition but I've found myself over the last 5/6 years just wanting to go and enjoy myself once I found myself at a good enough standard to go anywhere on the mountain.
ETA what your experience of conditions late Feb? Can you usually ski back down to the village?
Edited by andrew311 on Sunday 16th October 12:28
andrew311 said:
maser_spyder said:
Not much experience of the ski schools, but I do know a handful of instructors, some of which do private, and might be interested in cash work?...
Can give you some advice on where to find them, or depending when you're there (and I'm there), might be able to give you an introduction instead.
You'll love it, it's a great little town.
If it works out, I'd be happy to go out with you for a day or two to show you around too, and even a bit of tuition/advice.
Awesome. We're out in Feb so will discuss potentially meeting up nearer the time. Feel free to post some pics if you have any on Kitz to wet my appetite Can give you some advice on where to find them, or depending when you're there (and I'm there), might be able to give you an introduction instead.
You'll love it, it's a great little town.
If it works out, I'd be happy to go out with you for a day or two to show you around too, and even a bit of tuition/advice.
It's that long since I had lessons I don't know how much good they'd do me unless I had a week of 1 on 1 tuition maybe. Of course even the very best pros still get tuition but I've found myself over the last 5/6 years just wanting to go and enjoy myself once I found myself at a good enough standard to go anywhere on the mountain.
ETA what your experience of conditions late Feb? Can you usually ski back down to the village?
Edited by andrew311 on Sunday 16th October 12:28
However, the runs to the village are shaded in the afternoon, and have good snow-making, so are pretty much safe until the very end of the season, around late March. End of Feb you'll be absolutely fine.
Actually, I'm looking for an apartment this afternoon, so fingers crossed I'll be making some firm plans pretty soon.
If I'm there, happy to give you some pointers. I had a lot of coaching and race training when I was younger, and although technique has moved on a bit, the basics are still the same and all of the basic technique is identical. If nothing else, I can probably find you an instructor in town that will sort you out.
Have you got food included for evenings? Or eating out?
I took a year out about 6 years ago to go and do instructor trainning in Banff, taught there for a bit then headed to NZ to ply my trade. A mate I did it with still take 3 or 4 weeks unpaid off work and goes instructing in Italy. Pretty good gig really gets a group of British teenagers normally sent on school trips. He has far less responsibilites than me so can do it, I'd rather spend my ski time on holiday to tbh.
Funny you should mention race training me and the same mate have been looking at doing a weeks race trainning in Hintertux in November.
We're in a club hotel so AI, but the staff get a night off so we'll eat out.
Funny you should mention race training me and the same mate have been looking at doing a weeks race trainning in Hintertux in November.
We're in a club hotel so AI, but the staff get a night off so we'll eat out.
andrew311 said:
I took a year out about 6 years ago to go and do instructor trainning in Banff, taught there for a bit then headed to NZ to ply my trade. A mate I did it with still take 3 or 4 weeks unpaid off work and goes instructing in Italy. Pretty good gig really gets a group of British teenagers normally sent on school trips. He has far less responsibilites than me so can do it, I'd rather spend my ski time on holiday to tbh.
Funny you should mention race training me and the same mate have been looking at doing a weeks race trainning in Hintertux in November.
We're in a club hotel so AI, but the staff get a night off so we'll eat out.
Ah, superb, in which case, definitely hook up! I thought you might be a typical Brit skier, but now you've explained.... Funny you should mention race training me and the same mate have been looking at doing a weeks race trainning in Hintertux in November.
We're in a club hotel so AI, but the staff get a night off so we'll eat out.
Eat out in the Huberbrau Stubl, best food in town, and stupidly cheap. Right in the middle of town. Or the Tiefenbrunner has an excellent restaurant too. Actually, almost everywhere in town is good....
maser_spyder said:
Ah, superb, in which case, definitely hook up! I thought you might be a typical Brit skier, but now you've explained....
Eat out in the Huberbrau Stubl, best food in town, and stupidly cheap. Right in the middle of town. Or the Tiefenbrunner has an excellent restaurant too. Actually, almost everywhere in town is good....
Thanks for the restaurant recommendation MS. Yep definitely not the usual British holiday skier in terms of ability anyhow! Canadian instructor training is pretty good, bit more emphasis on off piste than say BASI which is more my bag really, although I enjoy cruising the pistes sometime and blatting down a GS run. Mediocre at skiing bumps, I can get down them just fine but my mate destroys me and is pretty impressive in his speed and ability, yet is nowhere near as quick down a GS, probably technically a better skier than I am but I’d never admit it…..Eat out in the Huberbrau Stubl, best food in town, and stupidly cheap. Right in the middle of town. Or the Tiefenbrunner has an excellent restaurant too. Actually, almost everywhere in town is good....
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