About Kitzbuhel, Austria

The province of Tyrol has 119 ski resorts altogether, but only few dare to compete with Kitzbühel (it is so gently dubbed: 'Kitz') for recognition and popularity. It is present on many Top Ten lists of the European destinations. It is a truly charming Tyrolean resort with cobblestone streets and painted buildings with the main part of town surrounded by the 12th century stone walls - so common to the villages of the period.
Kitzbühel lies only 2,600 feet above sea level. Lower position means warmer and less clothing to take off. Sleeping lower is also a benefit to anyone susceptible to high altitude illness.
Almost every Ski-Sunday-viewer knows that the Hahnenkamm race course organized in this area is the most challenging on the World Cup circuit. This event helps the resort to cultivate its reputation as an extraordinary place. Regular skiers, however, will find more than enough to satisfy their aspiration with testing their skills on many runs located in the 5 main ski areas surrounding the village. For the intermediate it is a paradise. A regional ski pass offers vast opportunities along 420 miles of designed slopes and 260 lifts.
A popular trip for anyone above beginner level initiates at the top of open snowfields, goes over the other side of the mountain and descends into Kirchberg in another valley. Several routes are navigable, including some in the trees. Skiers too tired to repeat their steps can return to Kitz by bus.
Additional activities in Kitzbühel would include horse-drawn, sleigh rides, ice skating, curling, swimming in the indoor pool, indoor tennis, bowling, and even theatres with English-speaking movies.
Besides winter sports, there is also a large selection of summer activities including hiking in the mountainous Wilder Kaiser region and the Brixental valley, swimming in the Schwarzsee lake, horseback riding, golfing. Cyclists have at their disposal over 750 km of trails of all difficulty levels, while Kitz-Alp-Bike mountain biking competition is the most important event of the cycling season.
The resort is very far from exclusivity. Despite few expensive and elegant hotels, it also has a huge amount of pensions and guest-houses that are quite affordable and not surprisingly attract a wide number of the low-budget visitors, many of whom are young people eager to have a good time at a non-exorbitant price. The town differs from many ski resorts because of having more residents than guests, but it has nearly 7,000 diversely priced beds. Bargain hunters can find there attractive package deals.