Kitzbühel General Overview
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Of all of the resorts gathered under the umbrella of this one ski pass covering much of the Kitzbüheler Alps, the one bearing the name is by far the best known on the International scene.

Kitzbühel hosts The Hahnenkahm, one of the most treacherous and most famous of all of the downhill races on the world cup circuit. As a result it has earned much publicity in the global village and has exploited it well. The resort, combined with well, but lesser known Kirchberg, plus a host of satellite resorts on the aforementioned ski pass, Aurach, Jochberg, Ashau and Pass Thurn, present as formidable a selection of ski terrain and diversity as you are as likely to find anywhere in the alps.

Kitzbühel is a resort that is steeped in history and glory. The only thing it lacks is a snow secure altitude. The ski scene has changed however, and Kitzbühel along with it. Over the years, or at least for the part of village history this writer has experienced, the area attracted well healed, and those who looked well healed, punters. Porches were everywhere, and posing was the name of the game. Deep pockets were the rule and bars and restaurants flourished. Now a days, at least on the surface, cracks appear.

 

Subtle differences in spending habits are apparent and money does not flow as freely as it once did. To be fair this is the trend all over the alps. But it is here that one spends a heck of a lot of time (by choice) and it is here that one sees the change most. Pockets are shallower now and the throaty roar of the revving Porsche engine is much less a part of the scene.

 

Kitzbühel has seen much of this trend change in the scene before. As a matter of fact it is this close link with the growth and evolution of the sport of skiing and the ski tourism industry that leaves Kitzbühel so exposed to the vacillations of it. But the area is still as good as ever, and still as much fun, and on the good days in mid winter this is still a helluva spot to be skiing, regardless of the depth of your pockets.

Kitzbühel is a resort that is almost as famous for its history and tradition as it is for its skiing. In addition the place is well known for the extent and variety of it's night life, its abundant and diversified restaurants and its truly International flavor. Now, with the addition of an excellent 18-hole golf course in Reith just outside town, added to its many summer is taking on the persona of a truly year round destination.

 

Kitzbühel is a multifaceted resort. It attracts a large number of sophisticates, and various "poseurs" from nearby countries, as well as throngs of serious "holiday skiers" from all over the globe. It is also a magnet for scores (no make that hundreds) of "ski bums" mostly from "down under" who want to have a season or so skiing, and combining it with a working holiday. It is this mixture, this melting pot that makes the area so interesting. Most Austrians however, unless they are directly involved in the tourism industry, tend to take an observer's stance to all these goings on. Everybody's loss.