Kitzbühel Austria, one of our favorite ski towns anywhere in the world. Heres a top 5 list of why we love it.

World-Cup-Downhill-at-Kitzbuhel

1. The Streif.

No ski race is bathed in such glamour or danger. Jumps up to 80 metres, gradients of 85 percent and speeds reaching 90 mph. Each January, the World Cup Downhill at Kitzbhuel is watched by 500 million TV viewers worldwide, and a further 85,000 pour into this famous Tirolean village to see, hear and touch the ski heroes of the universe. It’s Hollywood, Formula 1, and the circus all in one – and apart from on race weekend, we mortals can all ski the normally gentle run too.

shopping-in-kitzbühe

2. The shopping.

Chic and sportif, nothing says style like trendy Tirol. From Sportalm’s couture designed to travel from powdery piste to cobbled street, to Frauenschuh which began as a tiny tannery in Kitzbuhel to grow into an international women’s fashion brand, the boutiques of Kitz are their own kind of alpine attraction. Don’t miss the lovely Trachten Couture Eder for traditional chic and exquisite accessories.

kitzbühel-austria

3. The charm.

Stroll the atmospheric cobbled pedestrian village. From the imposing gate of its medieval wall to the 14th century High Gothic church with striking spire, Kitzbuehel’s fairytale atmosphere ranks among the most perfect in European skidom.

4. The beauty.

Smack in the midst of the splendid Kitzbuheler Alps, this picturesque range of pastures and snowy peaks forms the ideal setting for a winter wonderland retreat.

kitzbühel-austria-culture

5. The culture.

For a fascinating tour through Tirolean history and the arts, visit the excellent Museum Kitzbühel. The sympathetically renovated museum travels 1000 years back in time through to the modern winter sports era, as well as featuring an important permanent exhibition of the magnificent Tirolean painter Alfons Walde. And we can’t possibly talk about Kitzbuhel culture without including a slice of the famous apple strudel at Praxmair, a café und kuchen institution.