As the nights are growing longer, days are becoming colder and the first snow is beginning to hit the mountains, preparations are well underway in Kitzbühel, and it is set to be an exciting winter.
This season promises to be one filled with action and adventure, with a range of thrilling events set to take place as well as new hotel and restaurant openings. Visitors can look forward to the 83rd edition of the Hahnenkamm World Cup Races, the 21st anniversary of the Snow Polo World Cup and the 12th edition of the famous Streif Vertical Up. For the food lovers, Kitzbühel will host two new restaurant opening’s this winter, including the world-renowned Japanese restaurant, Zuma and for the ultimate luxury experience visit the Grand Tirolia, which will reopen this winter follow an 18-month renovation period.
Kitzbühel is set in the heart of the Austrian Alps and is easily accessible from Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich airports. Benefiting from direct flights from London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Manchester, the town is the perfect base for UK holidaymakers wanting to get active in the Alps. Situated at an altitude of between 800 – 2,000 m, the winter sports season in Kitzbühel is a long one. Holidaymakers will find some of the best snow conditions anywhere in the Alps, with 57 cable cars and lifts and 181 km of glorious pistes to enjoy. The resort boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a host of topflight winter events as well as offering a varied and eclectic apres-ski scene. It is not for nothing that Kitzbühel was voted “Austria’s Best Ski Resort” for the ninth time in a row.
Kitzbühel has long been known for its superb ski offering, with the first ever high-Alpine descent on skis in Austria taking place on the Kitzbüheler Horn mountain more than 125 years ago, but the town in the western province of Tirol has a rich history dating back to the 12th Century. Today Kitzbühel offers a delightful mix of Medieval architecture with a traditional Austrian feel. The city centre is a hub of culture with boutique hotels, artisan shops, fascinating museums and countless eateries offering a range of culinary options from local delicacies to gourmet cuisine. For those looking for adventure off the pistes, try a guided winter walk in the countryside or go snowshoeing through the mountains. The natural toboggan runs are ideal for thriller-seekers, while the town’s four artificial and two natural ice-skating rinks provide the perfect playground to try curling, ice hockey and ice skating.
Accommodation:
Grand Tirolia Luxury hotel reopening: This winter in Kitzbühel the Grand Tirolia, part of the Homage luxury hotels collection, will once again open its doors following an 18-month renovation period on 19 December 2022. Surrounded by the stunning mountain scenery of Kitzbühel and with the warm welcome of friendly staff inside this hotel offers the height of luxury and comfort. Enjoy spacious rooms and suites and private balconies with unbeatable Alpine backdrops. The hotel offers exceptional Grand Alps Spa facilities complete with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs and impressive range of saunas. Choose from a range of restaurants and bars offering delicious and high quality food and drink.
Expansion of the five-star Tennerhof Gourmet & Spa de Charme Hotel: For the 2022/23 season, the 5-star Tennerhof Gourmet & Spa de Charme Hotel is expanding and will offer three new luxury chalet suites from December 2022. The luxury hotel, located on a hillside offers panoramic views of Kitzbühel and the surrounding mountains. The three luxury chalets, each offer two bedrooms, a spacious living room and dining room with open fireplace, as well as a high-end bathroom with an exclusive private spa area.
Restaurants:
Opening of Zuma: From 8 December 2022, celebrate the Zuma winter residency at Hotel Weisses Rössl Kitzbühel. Built in the 17th century and recently refurbished, the hotel is located next to the charming 750-year-old historic centre with plent of boutiques, stores, cafes and the Casino. Guests are invited to enjoy a unique Zuma experience and try some signature dishes including miso marinated black cod and spicy beef tenderloin, in an exciting environment with award winning cocktails and established DJs.
Celebrated H’ugo’s pop-up extended for the winter season: Following the success of the H’ugo’s pop up this summer, the restaurant will continue to open its doors throughout the winter season. The Munich gastronomy icon, Ugo Crocamo, opened the well-known restaurant brand H’ugo’s in a noble design as a pop-up operation in August and the concept will be further expanded this winter to open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. in a casual bistro style. The menu covers breakfast classics, Italian dishes, delicious cocktails and premium wines.
Events:
The Hahnenkamm World Cup Races: The 83rd edition of the Hahnenkamm World Cup Races will take place in Kitzbühel 16 – 22 January 2023. The world-famous event is notorious for the Streif run, which is filled with blind drops, daredevil jumps, and unforgiving twists and turns. An international roster of top athletes will compete during an incredible programme of downhill ski racing, where the slick, steep track propels the competitors up to speeds of 140 kph, and the legendary Mousetrap jump launches racers 80 metres through the air. After the pandemic forced the event to take place without crowds last winter, this year it is hoped that there will be an electric atmosphere throughout Kitzbühel, as athletes and spectators descend on the town for a week of adrenaline-filled excitement. Tickets are priced from £26 / €30 for adults and £13/ €15 for young people under 17 years old and can only be purchased online.
Bendura Bank Snow Polo World Cup: The Snow Polo World Cup will transform the centre of Kitzbühel between 12 – 15 January 2023, to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the cup. Kitzbühel Polo was established with the initial Snow Polo Tournament in January 2003. Starting with four international team and 1,000 visitors in year one. The winter event has now established itself as one of the leading global polo events, reaching eight international teams, over 120 horses and 15,000 spectators by 2016. A VIP ticket to the Snow Polo World Cup is priced from £215 / €250 pp, this includes food and beverage.
Lift pass:
IKON pass: The Ikon Pass is a unique scheme that gives holders the freedom to ski and board where they please, providing lift access to some of the world’s best mountain regions under one convenient pass. Launched in the United States in 2018, the Ikon Pass was initially valid for use in Colorado but can now be used on more than a thousand lifts spanning nearly 400,000 acres of pistes in 47 destinations, across nine countries on five continents. As of last winter, the Ikon Pass is now accepted in Kitzbühel, with annual passholders able to enjoy seven days of ski in the resort each season, with no blackout dates. Perfect for those that enjoy multiple ski holidays a year, the Ikon Pass is an innovative and cost-effective tool, that encourages users to explore new mountain regions.
