42 KEEPING IT COOL IN KITZBÜHEL
KEEPING IT ‘COOL’ IN KITZBÜHEL
BY GEORGIA McKISSICK
LOOKING to don your skis in 2023? From the picturesque old town to the adventurous heights of the slopes, GEORGIA McKISSICK tells an enchanting tale of her 2019 trip to Kitzbühel in Austria. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or have
never been near a slope in your life, Kitzbühel is the ideal resort to visit with family, friends or even just for a bit of ‘you time’. It boasts a huge variety of things to do, on and off the slopes. Situated only 1 hour 30 away from both Innsbruck and Salzburg airports and 2 hours from Munich airport, Kitzbühel is an easily accessible and highly regarded ski resort for anyone who wishes to visit.
Arriving in Kitzbühel in December 2019,
after the long trip and the early morning flight was nothing short of a relief. The enchanting, peaceful and welcoming atmosphere of the small Alpine town is like no other. Upon arrival to our accommodation in the beautiful ‘Design Apartments Villa Anna’, we were quickly ushered in out of the biting December air by our host. The apartments were perfectly balancing on the scale between cosy Alpine and modern chic, feeling lived in yet extremely stylish and clean. The apartments were self- catered, adding to the feeling of homeliness in the accommodation. The view from all sides of the accommodation were spectacular, giving us glimpses of the old town and the highly anticipated slopes, further fuelling our excitement to get out onto the stunning mountains surrounding Kitzbühel. After we had got ourselves settled into the apartment and all arguments over who got which room were (finally) resolved, we set off to locate the SkiSet shop where we had arranged to rent our skis and poles for the week. A quick look at trusty Google maps showed us where to head and we made our way through the picturesque old town of Kitzbühel, catching glimpses of the school, homes and the secret local hotspots reserved for only the real residents of the town. Any traveller who enjoys a bit of retail therapy will find great relief in the amount of high-end shops lined along the main streets of the town, with Louis Vuitton, Moncler and Lacoste, plus many more, all within walking distance of each other. Kitzbühel really is a shopper’s paradise. If you’re more into the history and traditions of the places you visit, you will not be disappointed by all there is to see here. Kitzbühel boasts a wealth of tradition and history, such as the Lebenberg castle, now hotel, built approximately 600 years ago overlooking Kitzbühel. History enthusiasts can take a visit to the castle or even stay in one of the eleven rooms that still present medieval craftsmanship. Aswelll as the castle, the town centre itself dates back to the medieval period,
Nov/Dec 2022 Travel News
with much of its architecture still present. After locating our chosen ski rental shop,
we got our required equipment very quickly and then we were finally ready for the main event; the skiing! Everyday, we hopped into the Hahnenkammbahn gondola, the main lift that makes anywhere surrounding Kitzbühel accessible. The views we saw from the peaks of the mountains were breathtakingly beautiful. The skiing
in Kitzbühel
certainly did not disappoint and the slopes catered for everyone as everyday the conditions were perfect and the variety of slopes were enjoyed by all. The real thrill
seekers among
us even had a go at taking on the world famous Hahnenkamm, the slope skied in the annual World Cup alpine ski race. The variety of restaurants and cafés on the slopes, serving warm drinks and delicious food, also allowed us to refresh ourselves without having to make our way right to the bottom of the mountains. The huge expanse of slopes surrounding Kitzbühel also meant beginners and pros alike were kept entertained for the whole week as no slope was ever ‘over-skied’.
Besides the actual skiing, the highlight
of the holiday was most definitely the après ski. Austria is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and the bars, restaurants and clubs in Kitzbühel did not let the reputation down. A particular favourite of ours was ‘Pavillion’ at the very bottom of the Hahnenkammbahn lift. The lively music and bustling atmosphere made the après bars one of the best parts of the holiday. As well as the love for the bars, we also thoroughly enjoyed visiting the restaurants. The restaurants of Kitzbühel were warm, cosy and welcoming, the perfect way to finish off a long day of skiing. All menus had a large variety of meals to choose from, meaning even the fussiest of eaters were satisfied. The Christmas spirit was on full display at night in the main town, with market stalls selling handmade ornaments, crepes, and the occasional mulled wine. The excited and cheerful vibe of the stalls added to the cosy, bright feeling of the small, Alpine town.
Kitzbühel isn’t only for the skiers. For the non-skiers, a week spent relaxing in one of Kitzbühel’s luxurious spas, or discovering the history of the place, would serve as a great get- away and provide some much needed r&r. Unfortunately, much sooner than anyone
wanted, our time in Kitzbühel had to come to an end, and we were off in our transfer back to the airport. Kitzbühel’s atmosphere and amenities
should be experienced by all, and should be at the top of everyone’s travel bucket lists for the upcoming ski season.
VERBIER IS OPEN!
VERBIER has opened its slopes. Yes it’s been snowing over there – so it’s time to think ski!
In recent weeks, Verbier has been transformed into a winter wonderland. The first snowfall has taken place and announces the beginning of the winter season 2022/2023.
All the ingredients are there for the launch of this season. Thanks to the snowfall of recent weeks and snow making, Televerbier opened the slope of Lac des Vaux on Friday, November 11 in excellent conditions. A coffee-croissant was be offered to the first skiers on Friday morning and a 20% discount was applied on the 1-day ski pass - Verbier sector. During the month of November, the opening is scheduled every weekend (Saturday and Sunday). The daily opening is scheduled from December 3. To inaugurate the start of the winter
season, the Opening event is back on Saturday, December 3, 2022! Come and ski in St Nicolas fancy dress! For all people coming to ski in disguise and registered in advance, the price of the day of skiing is set at CHF 5. Pre-registration is required at www.
verbier4vallees.ch/en and part of the funds raised will be donated to the Theodora association offer moments of laughter and escape to children in hospital or with disabilities.
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